This document discusses techniques for persuading and convincing others. It notes that persuading requires subtlety, fairness, and the ability to get others to see your point of view willingly. Some examples are given of language that can be used when trying to persuade, such as questioning statements that introduce doubt, and appealing to relationships or prior investment. When trying to convince others, the document recommends using confident language with assurances and guarantees, presenting information as certain facts seen directly, and focusing on building trust. The overall message is that the way something is said, including word choices and emphasis, can influence whether one is able to persuade or convince others.

1. THE LANGUAGE OF PERSUASION
PERSUADING. Most
people, at one time or
another in life, and
sometimes very recurrently,
need to be able to influence
or persuade other people.
This could include
convincing your sister to do
the dishes for you, inspiring
your best friend to change
her wardrobe to look
lovelier, cajoling a colleague
to finish a project for you, or
persuading your parents that
you deserve them to offer
you a dream trip for your
birthday. It’s important to be
able to make someone see
your point of view in order to
have their support.
Using coercion and
manipulation is not the same
as persuading. You might
even succeed in getting
things done, but that isn’t
really influencing; that’s
forcing people to do what
you want, often against their
will.
Influencing people requires
subtlety and fairness, good
interpersonal and
communication skills and an
ability to get other people to
see things your way and
want to support you.
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2. Being persuasive is a matter of the way you say what you say. It could mean
intonation; it could mean selecting a phrase that is appropriate to the
context, or to the person concerned. You can improve your skills of persuasion.
Trying to persuade
•Are you sure you ought to make that complaint?
•You really should invite your boss, you know.
•That’s quite a good idea, you know.
•He’s an excellent preacher, actually.
•Don’t be silly Jim, it’s not that expensive.
•Don’t forget that he’s your nephew.
•What about your colleagues?
•What about the time and energy you’ve already invested, then?
•Don’t you think you should do something for your family?
•I could do with your support, you know.
•I can assure you of my full support.

3. You can also improve your skills of convincing. Study the following examples:
Trying to convince
•I can guarantee…
•I tell you, it’s a fact.
•I tell you, it’s true.
•I tell you, it’s certain.
•I am absolutely certain.
•I saw him just now, really.
•I saw it with my own eyes.
•I saw it myself.
•I can assure you…
•It’s quite true.
• It must be true.
• It’s quite true.
• It’s here in black and white.
• It’s crystal clear…
• Yes, really. It’s quite true.
• Don’t you feel that he could have
been mistaken?
• You see, the training there is excellent.
• But can’t you see that he’s interested
in the idea?
• That’s all I know, honestly.

4. •But surely you must agree that this is an extraordinary case.
•He’s honest, I can assure you.
•It’s here in writing.
•Isn’t it possible that he doesn’t know anything about it?
•Look, I saw it myself.
•Honestly, it’s quite true.
•I can guarantee that you’ll get a promotion soon.
•But don’t you agree that he was not in station at that time?
•This is the best quality we can get – there’s no doubt about it.
Just notice the way one gets peoples’ trust and attention by
making things personal, using the right adjectives and adverbs.
Adapted and abridged from: http://spokenenglish4u14tips.blogspot.pt/2012/01/expressions-to-sound-persuasive-and.html