Using Persuasive Technique In Writing

The ability to effectively persuade others can be a valuable skill. From the boardroom to interactions with family and friends, persuasive writing techniques may allow you to express your emotions and arguments with clarity and conviction. 

Learning to use these techniques can help you make your voice heard, influence people's opinions, and positively impact the world around you. By honing a few persuasive writing techniques, individuals may gain self-confidence while boosting their engagement in healthy public discourse. 

Persuasive writing techniques

Persuasive writing is an art that has been around for centuries, and it remains a powerful tool used to share ideas and influence people. It utilizes various techniques to draw readers in and connect them with the message. These techniques may include emotional appeals, connecting with the audience through stories or personal anecdotes, and using rhetorical devices such as metaphor or hyperbole. 

Persuasive writing often incorporates elements of psychology by persuading people through logical arguments and evidence-based reasoning while appealing to their emotions. Appealing to one’s emotions or empathy may elicit desirable responses by connecting with cognitive and affective processes in the brain. Persuasive writers can craft compelling messages that may have lasting effects on audiences by combining logic and emotion seamlessly into one cohesive piece of work. 

Below are some of the most common persuasive writing techniques, including how they are used and their purpose. 

Emotional appeal

Using emotional appeal as a persuasive writing technique involves selecting words and presenting ideas in a manner that evokes an emotional response from the reader. It may work by including words that describe certain emotions related to the point being conveyed or appealing to shared human experiences. Writers may consider who they are writing to when considering the proper approach, as considering a person’s goals, aspirations, and expectations may create an authentically helpful or inspiring piece. 

Suppose one is attempting to persuade someone of the benefit of kindness and empathy toward others. In that case, they might use phrases that invoke powerful images in the reader’s mind that help them understand the importance and beauty of showing kindness. They may use words like empathetic, gentle, affectionate, and other adjectives to bring forth emotions. Metaphors can also be used, such as the metaphor of a soft, cozy blanket representing the fur of one’s pet dog. 

Writers can also use a personal short story as an example to further emphasize their points. For instance, if someone was trying to argue why forgiving others for making mistakes is essential, they could recount an experience where they were forgiven and how this experience positively changed their life. Such stories may cultivate an emotional investment in hearing your argument and make it more likely others will be convinced.

Literary devices

Writing persuasively is often considered an art and can require a blend of several techniques. Literary devices may be especially effective in persuasive writing, affording writers creative ways to hook readers and illustrate their points. 

Rhetorical questions are also widely used in persuasive writing to convince readers to think about an issue from a particular perspective. For example, if advocating for animal rights, a writer may use rhetorical questions such as “Do animals deserve better?” or “What would you do if someone treated you like that?” to make people consider the issue from a humane perspective. Using rhetorical questions, the writer can create an emotional connection between the reader and their argument.

Metaphors can also be helpful literary devices for persuasive writing. Metaphors enable writers to paint vivid images in the reader's mind and help them understand abstract concepts with tangible examples. For example, when advocating for environmentalism, one could use metaphors such as “Our planet is like a garden—we must nurture it with care” or “The future of our planet is like a fragile flower—it needs attention now before it wilts away” to create potent mental images that drive home the main point. By leveraging these techniques effectively, writers may have a greater chance of successfully conveying their message and inspiring readers.

Logical reasoning 

Logical reasoning is a persuasive writing technique commonly used to influence people and encourage them to act. This technique involves presenting evidence logically by providing facts, numbers, research data, and other relevant, verifiable information. When combined with more creative techniques such as literary devices and emotional appeal, logical reasoning may build credibility and establish one’s ideas as a trusted source of information. 

Successful use of logical reasoning may require the writer to present a clear and consistent argument and utilize accurate information supported by reputable sources. Effective use of this technique can highlight the strengths of one's point of view while using trusted, verifiable sources that reinforce the validity of one’s claims. The goal may be to ensure that all claims are supported by evidence to establish a writer as a trusted authority on the topic. 

The hierarchy of human needs

The hierarchy of human needs was first outlined by psychologist Abraham Maslow in his 1943 paper, “A Theory of Human Motivation.” The hierarchy suggests that people are motivated by five needs, including the following: 

• Physiological (i.e., food, oxygen, water)
• Safety
• Love and belonging
• Esteem
• Self-actualization

Each layer of the hierarchy of needs builds upon prior layers. For example, self-actualization becomes a stronger motivator once all other needs are met. Understanding these basic needs may allow writers to develop more effective persuasive techniques in their writing. 

For instance, if a writer is trying to persuade an audience to purchase a product or service for their well-being, they might first focus on meeting the need for safety and security before discussing features and benefits related to esteem or self-actualization. By understanding which motivators will be most effective for each audience member, writers can tailor persuasive messages that speak directly to each reader’s needs. 

Understanding the importance of empathy as a persuasive technique may also help writers better connect with their readership. When crafting compelling pieces for any audience, a writer can empathize with the basic needs all humans share. In doing so, writers present information in a relatable manner that may speak directly to the reader instead of just telling them what they “should” do or think about a particular topic. 

By taking the time to understand the hierarchy of human needs and the value of empathy when crafting persuasive pieces, writers can have a guide for presenting their ideas in a way that cuts through the noise and speaks to the real-life needs of fellow humans. 

How persuasive writing may improve mental health

Persuasive writing techniques can be used to improve mental health through increased self-confidence and the reduction of indecisiveness and insecurity. With persuasive techniques, people may establish a more confident mindset by recognizing their strengths and using them to create compelling and convincing arguments. Additionally, they can learn how to use evidence-based strategies to confidently create a persuasive letter and engage in public discourse surrounding topics they care about. 

In one study, researchers looked at the role of loneliness and a lack of social skills in the development of mental illness among college-aged students. They found that rates of loneliness were a reliable indicator of rates of depression and anxiety. This study exemplifies the benefits of cultivating social and communication skills in forming meaningful connections. 

Through the process of persuasive writing, individuals may become less hesitant to socialize and speak out due to an improved understanding of why specific options are better for their well-being than others. Furthermore, persuasive writing may build up a person’s internal dialogue in which they tell themselves stories that boost their self-esteem. Cognitive abilities may lead individuals toward healthier behaviors, resulting in more significant happiness and peace of mind.

The benefits of improving persuasive writing and communication skills may include the following: 

• Improved self-esteem and confidence in expressing ideas
• An increased ability to identify the needs of others and empathize with their point of view
• Enhanced communication skills, which can lead to better relationships with colleagues, friends, and family members
• Greater impact when communicating messages to an audience 
• The ability to influence others without using aggression or manipulation

Support options 

When learning about persuasion, having a professional available to support you may be helpful. However, some people may avoid in-person therapy due to being busy, facing financial challenges, and other accessibility barriers. In these cases, online therapy may be beneficial. Online therapy can be an empowering setting for developing healthy persuasive techniques essential to successful communication. 

With the help of an experienced therapist, individuals may gain insight into their point of view, develop greater self-awareness, and hone their ability to relate to others. Furthermore, they may learn to differentiate between manipulation and persuasion to engage in ethical and respectful dialogue. Through online therapy platforms like BetterHelp, users can set virtual meetings at times conducive to their schedules and choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions with their therapist. 

In one study, researchers looked at the ability of online therapy to improve social functioning and reduce symptoms of depression. In the study, their team discovered that online therapy interventions were able to provide significant improvements for both healthy social functioning and symptoms of depression. This study illustrates the ability of online-based interventions to provide individuals with an accessible way to improve their communication skills and make progress in reducing symptoms of mental health conditions.