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Do you need to be a more persuasive writer? It’s not as challenging as you might think….
First, a quick reminder: If you’d like to learn more about how writers can use artificial intelligence — ethically and in a way that feels good, even if you’re an academic — I’m holding a one-hour class, The AI Power Hour, this Thursday, June 5. Although the live version of the class has already SOLD OUT, you can still buy a recording for just $25 (it doubles to $50 the next day). Register now and secure your discounted recording, which I’ll email to you by no later than Friday.
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I once had to write a report to persuade some important people to change their minds.
Decades ago, I had the job of writing a document for the board of directors of the newspaper where I worked.
The goal? To support my boss — the publisher — in shifting the paper’s publishing time from afternoons to mornings.
This was a big deal in those days when print newspapers still mattered, and some of them were still published in the afternoon. (Neither of these facts is true today.)
Board members included a former prime minister of my country, so the stakes felt enormous. One wrong move could damage not just the proposal but my career.
Whether you’re writing to change company policy, secure funding for a project or advocate for social change, persuasive writing is a crucial skill.
But logical reasoning alone rarely wins people over — true persuasion requires psychological finesse and strategic thinking.
Here are five proven strategies to make your persuasive writing more effective:
1-Start from where your readers stand
Before typing a single word, put yourself in your readers’ shoes. Their views and concerns are just as real as yours, and understanding their perspective is essential.
For example, if you’re writing about environmental policy, focus on shared desires for clean air and healthy communities rather than beginning with points of disagreement. If you’re writing to persuade vaccine skeptics, acknowledge their concerns about safety before discussing the broader health benefits of vaccination.
How to apply this: Before drafting your argument, list three to five core values or concerns your audience likely holds. Then identify which of these align with your position, even partially. These points of connection become your starting place.
2-Tell stories, don’t just recite facts
Research consistently shows that stories influence people much more than statistics. As Joseph Stalin reportedly observed (though his authorship is disputed): “A single death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic.”
Stories help readers connect emotionally, and they make your message far more memorable and persuasive. Facts are forgettable. Stories are sticky.
How to apply this: For each major point in your argument, find a brief story or example that illustrates it. The story doesn’t need to be elaborate — even a two-sentence scenario can bring abstract concepts to life. Include your own experiences when appropriate.
3-Address the strongest version of opposing arguments
One of the most common mistakes in persuasive writing is attacking easy or exaggerated versions of opposing arguments — what logicians call the “straw man fallacy.” This approach signals intellectual dishonesty and undermines your credibility.
Instead, demonstrate that you understand the most persuasive arguments against your position and can address them. This approach builds trust with skeptical readers and strengthens your overall case.
For example, the 1964 U.S. Surgeon General’s report on smoking broke new ground because it directly confronted the tobacco industry’s strongest claims with comprehensive evidence. By addressing, rather than dismissing opposition, the report changed public opinion and policy.
How to apply this: Identify the two or three most legitimate concerns someone might have about your position. Acknowledge these points explicitly in your writing, and then explain why your conclusion still stands.
4-Keep your tone respectful and acknowledge your position’s limits
Condescension and smugness never work. Instead of declaring “You’re wrong,” try phrases like “Here’s another perspective” or “Consider this alternative approach.”
Counterintuitively, acknowledging limitations in your argument often strengthens your case. Phrases like “While this approach isn’t perfect…” or “This solution addresses X and Y, though Z remains challenging” signal intellectual honesty. Readers who sense you’re being forthright about weaknesses will be more receptive to your strengths.
How to apply this: After completing your draft, review it specifically for tone. Highlight any sentences that might sound judgmental or dismissive and revise them. Also ensure you’ve included at least one acknowledgment of where your position has limits.
5-Invite reflection rather than forcing conclusions
People resist when they feel their views are under attack. The most effective persuasion gives readers space to process information and reach their own conclusions.
Ask thoughtful questions throughout your piece. Present scenarios that encourage readers to apply your principles to their own situations. This approach makes change feel self-motivated rather than imposed.
How to apply this: End each major section with a reflective question that helps readers connect your point to their own experience. In your conclusion, present your recommendation as an invitation rather than a demand.
From Theory to Practice
When I presented my case for changing our newspaper’s publishing schedule to that boardroom of intimidating executives, my heart was pounding. I was only 30 years old and acutely aware of my junior status in the room.
But by applying these principles — starting with their concerns about readership and advertising revenue, telling stories of successful morning papers, addressing their strongest objections head-on, maintaining a respectful tone and inviting them to envision the benefits themselves — I persuaded them to red-stamp the transition.
The most powerful persuasion doesn’t feel like persuasion at all. It feels like discovery. As you write your next persuasive piece, remember that your goal isn’t to win an argument, but to build a bridge between different perspectives.
If you liked this post, you’ll also like, Why it’s more important than ever to learn to write.
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Need some help developing a better, more sustainable writing or editing routine? Learn about my three-month accountability program called Get It Done. There is turn-over each month, and priority will go to those who have applied first. You can go directly to the application form and you’ll hear back from me within 24 hours.
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My video podcast last week described how to know when you’ve done enough research. You can watch the video or read the transcript, and you can also subscribe to my YouTube channel.
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What do you do to become a more persuasive writer? We can all learn from each other, so please, share your thoughts with my readers and me in the comments section, below. And congratulations to Rachel Lom, the winner of this month’s book prize, for a comment on my recent blog about 13 questions to ask during an interview. (Please send me your email address, Rachel.) If you comment on today’s post (or any others) by June 30/25, I’ll put you in a draw for a digital copy of my first book, 8 1/2 Steps to Writing Faster, Better. To enter, please scroll down to the comments, directly underneath the related posts links, below. You don’t have to join Disqus to post! Read my tutorial to learn how to post as a guest. (It’s easy!)
