1. Persuasive Language
16 Strategies

2. Assumptive Adverb Openers
There are two forms of this assumptive opening, which uses an adverb to make something trivially true:
Start with a statement that you want be accepted without question, then follow up with a statement that is desirable and easily accepted. ('Obviously God exists, so you can relax and enjoy life').
Start with a statement that is easy to accept and follow up with the statement you want people to accept. (Of course you want to enjoy life, which is God's gift to you').

3. Assumptive Adverb Openers
Assumptive adverb openers you can use include:
Obviously...
Naturally...
Evidently...
Clearly...
Of course...
Example:
Obviously you need peace of mind, and this insurance product will give it to you.
You're naturally unhappy because you're living with a fool.
Of course it's expensive, but only the best is good enough.

4. How Does Assumptive Adverb Openers Persuade?

5. Connection Language
Use language to increase or decrease the connection between things. The things to connect can include you, others people, ideas, things and so on. Us and them: Talking about people, make them inclusively closer by saying 'we' or 'us', or position them separately by saying 'they' or 'them'. This and that: When you talk about other people and things, 'this' makes something closer, whilst 'that' pushes it further away. With and without: Words such as 'with' and 'together' connect, suggesting doing things jointly. Other words such as 'each' and 'independent' disconnect and separate.

6. Connection Language Example: He's one of us. She's one of them.
I like this, but I am not so sure about that.
With this, we can make a difference.

7. How Does Connection Language Persuade?

8. Experiential Language
Describe how you are personally experiencing the things that occur around you.
Talk about what you are seeing, hearing or otherwise directly sensing, without further interpretation or analysis.
Explain also the more interpreted experiences. Talk about how things make you feel, whether it you feel happy, sad, angry or other distinct emotions.
You can talk about experiences in the past and the present. You can also describe how you think you may experience the future.
Link your experiencing to people and things in the world, showing the cause- effect relationship, for example how what others say and do affects you.

9. Experiential Language
Example:
I saw you take the book and am curious about what you would be doing with it.
When you say that I feel very sad. I've known other people say thing like that and it's never turned out well.
I am really looking forward to the holiday and the warm sun on the beach.

10. How Does Experiential Language Persuade?

11. Final Impact
To maximize the impact of a sentence, paragraph or speech, put the main impact at the end, such that you leave them thinking 'wow!' and in a state of desire (rather than being rather bored and wishing you would finish soon).
The final impact can be increased by building tension beforehand, hinting at wonders to come, creating allure and promise that keeps them hanging on until your last word.

12. Final Impact
Example: I am going to let you into a secret -- but not yet. First, I want you to know that I have been listening to a lot of people like you who have similar problems. And I also think you will be pleased to know I have been able to help them get over those problems. And the secret of solving their problems lay in the effective use of a remarkable new support system.

13. How Does Final Impact Persuade?

14. Future Language
To get people away from a focus on the past or the present, use language that asks them to think about possible futures.

15. Future Language Imagining
Get people to imagine what may happen in the future. This is mostly done visually, but can also be auditory or physical.
For example:
Supposing ...
Imagine ...
How about ...
What would people say ...
How would you feel if ...

16. Future Language Temporary
It can help get over fears of the future if you just ask people to think about the future for a short period.
Just supposing...
Take a moment to consider ...
 Just for a moment think ...

17. Future Language Future present
You can add power to talking about the future by using the present tense of the verb instead of the future tense. You can also using words that bring it into the present such as 'now' and 'here'.
Just imagine that tomorrow you are happy here all day.
What if next year you are qualified and are in a well-paid job?
Imagine you're successful...now what are you doing?

18. How Does Future Language Persuade?

19. Hidden Commands
When people are given a command, they may well react against it, particularly if they see you has not having formal authority over them.
You can still issue commands, but the trick is to hide them within the words of a longer sentence. Here are a few ways to do that.
Here are just a few ways you can hide commands in other words. Note that the words of the command still exist -- they are just softened by other words which distract the other person away from any resistance and oblige them to comply.
A trick within this is to  emphasize the command, in particularly the verb. Be subtle with this -- if they realize what you are doing they will be likely to resist.

20. Hidden Commands Pleading
Pleading does not mean groveling, but it does mean using the word 'please'. In polite society, when the other person says 'please', you are pretty much obliged to do what they want unless you have a very good reason not to do so.
Please could you help me fold these sheets?
Could you help me please to fold these sheets?
If you could help me fold the sheets, please?

21. Hidden Commands
Doubt
Talk almost to yourself or very conversationally, musing as to the possibility of the other person doing something for you. Show your uncertainty as to whether the other person is willing or able to do the job.
I wonder if you could help me fold this sheet.
I don't know whether you've folded sheets before -- could you help me fold this sheet now?
Can you fold sheets?... Great -- can you help me with these?

22. Hidden Commands Assumption
Act as if they will obey the command and they may well comply. Assumption forces the other person to either agree now or think more. If they are hurried, then they are more likely to agree (or not even notice). Note here that the command is not so much spoken as implied.
After we've folded the sheets, do you want a cup of coffee?
Which end of the sheet do you want to hold?
Here, can you hold this...thanks...where shall we go for dinner tonight?

23. How Does Hidden Command Persuade?

24. The Hook
Add special points in your sentences where you deliberately 'hook' the audience, grabbing their interest and attention. Elements you can use in the hook include:
Power Words that grab the person.
Sensory Language that creates visceral power.
Their Name or that of emotionally significant others.
Surprise that makes them rethink.
Intensifiers that amplify emotion.
Pauses after the hook to ensure they bite.
Help or threaten needs. Align with personal goals. Work with the way the person is motivated so the hook pulls them in naturally.
You can have multiple hooks, although be careful to ensure they all hook in the same direction. Hooks can be negative, working with fear and other negative emotions, although they are better if they are positive, working with desires and delight.

25. The Hook
Example:
Did you know that this is free? ... Yes, you can get it now. Just dial this number...
I know you've been searching for a course on topiary, and I've found one for you. But first I want to talk about what you will do afterwards.
You don't know if your breath smells, but others certainly do. Listerine helps ensure you're always a sweet smelling friend!

26. How Does The Hook Persuade?

27. Intensifiers
Amplify the effect of a verb by using an adverb that intensifies the meaning and particularly the emotional content.
Use the intensifier to subtly suggest to the other person what emotions they should feel.
In the same way, you can also use adverbs to attenuate and reduce the natural emotional content of a verb.

28. Intensifiers Example:
That is very interesting. (basic intensifier)
That is very, very interesting. (repetition to increase effect)
That is extremely interesting. (suggests extreme response)
That is amazingly interesting. (suggests being amazed)
That is scarily interesting. (suggests being scared)
That is quite interesting. (reducing intensity)
That is a bit interesting. (reducing intensity)

29. How Does Intensifiers Persuade?

30. Perceptual Language
Talk about what you perceive rather than asserting what 'is’. Use words that indicate how you are perceiving. This can include:
Visual words: appears, looks like, notice, etc.
Audio words: sounds, I hear, etc.
Thinking words: seems, etc.
Feeling words: feels like, enjoyed, etc.

31. Perceptual Language Example:
It seems like I am being excluded from the conversation. Not 'You are excluding me from the conversation.'
It sounds like you are not very happy. Not 'You are unhappy.'
That looks difficult. Not: 'That is difficult for you.'

32. How Does Perceptual Language Persuade?

33. Possibility Language
Talk about possibilities rather than absolutes. Muse about the future. Challenge their assumptions or otherwise get them out of their limited thinking and into considering what could be rather than what cannot be. All you need to do is to show that one thing is true to imply that many others could also be true.
To use the language of possibility, move away from the language of certainty. Do not say 'will', 'must', 'cannot' and so on. Use possibility words such as:
can, could, may, maybe, might, perhaps, possible

34. Possibility Language
Ask questions that suggest possibility and extend truth such as:
What if ...
How could ...
How about ...
Wouldn't it be nice if ...
Who else ...

35. Possibility Language Example:
You said you can't do it. Have you tried? Many others can do it. Perhaps you can too.
 What if we could get more people on the project?
Have you thought about taking extended leave so you can visit your parents?  HR might well be sympathetic, I think.
They said it can't be done. You know I think it may be possible.

36. How Does Perceptual Language Persuade?

37. Pronoun Language
Pronouns are immensely powerful little words that can add significant power to persuasive language.
This power means that it is easy to under-do or over-do their usage. Too few and you will seem distant. Too many and you may seem aggressive or manipulative.

38. Pronoun Language Singular I
'I' is a small word but is written as a capital letter. This suggests power and significance (although originally was just to make the small letter stand out). When you use it in persuasive language, you are placing all that you are into the fray, showing your commitment and purpose.
That is good. [person-less judgment]
I think that is good. [committing your view]

39. Pronoun Language
You
Think about when you were half-listening to someone talking and they said 'you' -- the chances are this startled you in some way, jolting you back to full listening.
When you say 'you', then you are firing an arrow directly at the other person and your words will be noticed and processed more consciously.
Talking in the second person shows that you are recognizing others as separate individuals, thus stroking their sense of identityand locating them in your sphere.
'You' can also create a separation between yourself and the other person -- sometimes 'we' is better.
 Ladies and gentlemen, have you ever been to the Paris Ritz? Would you like to go? All you have to do now is listen to me for five minutes to get your chance!
I like you. [creating a bond]

40. Pronoun Language He/she
Talking in the third person references another person outside of the you-me conversation. This has the effect of creating an out- group, separate from us. By implication, it also bonds you and me as an in-group, thus drawing us together and making you more likely to agree with me.
He doesn't make sense to me.
She's not like you.

41. Pronoun Language It
The English language is surprisingly unique in having a neutral third person. This is very useful for objectification, where we create 'things' that are non-human and hence can be treated more objectively and with less care.
What do you think of HR? It is not very helpful.

42. Pronoun Language Plural
Talking in the plural is inclusive and hence pulls whole groups of people in. This also can be its hazard as groups can also take against you. We
'We' brings you and me together, bonding as a single unit and thus connecting our thoughts and feelings. If I think something to be true, then you have an obligation to consider it true also.
'We' also creates a group, making boundaries within which a cohesive in- group exists, within which each person must comply with group values and rules.
We like apples, don't we?
We meet every Monday morning.

43. Pronoun Language
You
The plural 'you' refers to a group of other people. Talking to groups can be very effective as you change many minds at once. If, however, they do not like or agree with you, they can be a difficult force to overcome. It thus pays to take care when using 'you' with groups.
Remember that 'you' separates yourself from others, and that 'we' can act to unite. Beware, though, of inviting yourself to be a member of their group when they may not want you to join yet.
The fact that 'you' is the same word in the singular and the plural makes for the clever effect that addressing a group as 'you' can also add the powerful effect of seeming as if you are talking with each person individually.
You all know that we must succeed.

44. Pronoun Language
They
The plural third party shows a group of others to be separate from us, emphasizing our similarity though implication of out- group homogeneity. This allows you to 'push away' others who do not conform as you build a more cohesive in-group.
They are all like that.
What did they say?

45. How Does Pronoun Language Persuade?

46. Punch Words
Use words that have impact, shocking the person into a state where they are ready to listen to persuasive messages.
Impact words may be made impactful by adding extra emphasis, such as making them louder or stressing them, enunciating them carefully and speaking more slowly.

47. Punch Words
Example:
What would happen if your partner died? Would you be able to survive alone?
I have a million dollars in this case. Hands up those who want it, now.
Think of the sexiest woman you have ever seen. Do you want to be irresistibly attractive?

48. How Do Punch Words Persuade?

49. Sensory Language
When talking or writing, it is possible to make use of our five senses. It is also possible to exclude the senses from the what is said, leading to a more objective way of speaking.
Language can make reference to any or all senses by deliberate use of appropriate sensory words.

50. Sensory Language Sight
The visual sense is referenced by talking about light and dark, shades and hues, visible shape and appearance.
Her brilliant red blouse fitted her slim figure like a glove.

51. Sensory Language Sound
Auditory senses are triggered by reference to loudness, timbre, actual words spoken, and so on.
He shouted harsh approval at the sound of her pure warbling Italian soprano.

52. Sensory Language Feeling
Tactile feeling and emotional feeling are closely connected, as we sense our emotions as tensions and other physical bodily experiences.
His heart thumped as he grasped the meaning of her smile.

53. Sensory Language Taste and smell
Our gustatory senses are closely linked and are often used in the metaphoric sense.
She could stomach his words no longer and smelled a bitter rat in his intent.
Smell in particularly is powerfully evocative sense and can easily trigger early memories.

54. How Does Sensory Language Persuade?

55. Superiority Words
When talking with others we often use words that serve to make us seem superior to others. This is often with the intent that they accept what we say without question.

56. Superiority Words Correction words
When we correct what others say, we position ourselves as knowing more and, by implication, being superior in all other ways. This is like a parent, teacher or judge who cannot be challenged.
Actually
In truth
Really
In fact

57. Superiority Words Simplification words
Simplifying things can be helpful in keeping the description brief, perhaps indicating that more detail is available if needed. It speeds conversations and can also avoid the embarrassment of the other person getting confused by the detail.
Basically
Essentially
Fundamentally
In short
Briefly

58. Superiority Words Obviousness words
When something is obvious, there is no need to prove it. This provides the speaker with an excuse for omitting any reasoning. Much of what we say assumes the other person accepts what is said as truth. Stating obviousness emphasizes this when there may be a challenge or refutation.
Obviously
Clearly
Of course
Plainly
Evidently

59. How Does Superiority Words Persuade?

60. Trivializing Words
Some words have an effect of trivializing, of making something smaller and less important than it really is. Such words can be used both to defend and to attack.
Trivialization is often used in negotiations to make what you want seem smaller.

61. Trivializing Words Trivializing targets
You can trivialize many things, including:
Time: It won't take you very long.
People: You're not that clever.
Ideas: There are better ways of doing things.
Money: It's not very expensive for what you are getting.

62. Trivializing Words Discounting others
If trivializing words are applied to other people, words or things, then these may be discounted or reduced it in status. If you reduce the status of the other person, then anything they say or do will be
    That was just a simple one. Show me something more difficult.
    He is hardly the sharpest knife in the drawer.
    Is this all you have?

63. Trivializing Words Sneaking through
Trivialization can also be applied to oneself or something that you want, to make it seem unimportant such that the other person will not object to it.
    It is only a small matter.
    I won't be long.
    An extra seat won't cost much.

64. Trivializing Words Trivial words
Trivialization can be done with complete sentences and phrases. Key words that can be used include:
Just: I just want five minutes.
Only: There are only two of us.
Simply: It is simply a good thing to do.
Hardly: I hardly think that is important.
Quite: It is quite interesting.

65. How Does Trivializing Words Persuade?

66. Using Pauses
Pauses can be added in many places to add impact to your communications.
Pause after somebody has spoken and before you speak.
Pause before a punch line or particularly important point to increase tension and add Emphasis. Pausing at irregular points can also increase tension.
Pause after a punch line or important points in order to let it sink in.
Pause between a request phrase and command phrase in the same request sentence.
Combine pauses with dramatic action, such as uncovering a new product, pointing to something important, etc.
Use Body Language signals to emphasize the pause. A simple way of doing this is to freeze the body, perhaps with an expectant expression on your face. Knowing smiles and looking around whilst making eye-contact also is effective.
In written text, use commas, colons, semicolons, dashes, periods and ellipsis to introduce delay.

67. How Using Pauses Persuade?