Archive: persuasion
Persuasive Writing: Beware of Powerless Language
When it comes to being persuasive, it’s not just what you say; it’s how you say it. Psychologists find that a weak language style is less convincing than a more commanding speech pattern. The concepts of powerful and powerless speech were introduced by James Bradac...Influencing an Audience: How to Hold Attention and Shape Opinions
A strong opening is important to a persuasive appeal because it focuses the audience’s attention, but then what do you do to influence them the rest of the way? The challenge in a persuasive message is to make it compelling enough that it will be memorable and will...
Tapping the Audience’s Emotions: A Key to Persuasion
Aristotle said that to be persuasive, you must have the ability to move an audience emotionally, because people often do not make decisions logically. As I mentioned in a recent post, one way to tap emotions is through flattery. Another tactic is to ask for things in...Dumping Cliches is a Win-Win for You and the Reader
On the TV news, a headline on the screen said, “Job growth grinds to a halt.” Why do so many things end by “grinding to a halt”? Or when they end suddenly, they always come to a “screeching halt.” In their impulse to be colorful, writers often reach for...By Ken O’Quinn
Focus on Them
Perfect Phrases for Business Letters (McGraw-Hill)
TD at Work — Business Writing for Managers
As a contributing author in this book on leadership, Ken offers insights and tips for managing difficult conversations, providing effective feedback, and being authentic. Order here.
Perfect Phrases for Business Letters (McGraw-Hill)
Provides the right words and phrases for any situation - quickly. The book was reprinted in Japanese because of high-volume sales there.
TD at Work — Business Writing for Managers
The Association for Talent Development invited Ken to write this 22-page booklet for the TD at Work series.
Current Blog Post
Writing to Persuade: Where You Should Position Your Best Option
Positioning information can be an important factor when you are trying to persuade