How to Convince the Reader in a Word: 9 Tips and Tricks from the Masters of Prose

Writing a paper, article, book, or any other piece of content that persuades readers in the validity of your opinion is not an easy task.

Being able to convince others in something with a single word or phrase is a true art and an indicator of professionalism. This skill can be used to your benefit in numerous aspects of life.

Whether you are writing a persuasive or rhetorical analysis example, a scientific article, a book, or a marketing piece, there is the need to ensure the readers in the authoritativeness of your expert point of view. 

How to convince the reader? How make the audience trust your opinion? 

In the list below, we have gathered the most effective tips and tricks widely used by professional writers to make their prose convincing. Let’s dive in!

Know Your Audience

Being well aware of who you are writing for is the key to success. Knowing your audience, you can focus on what is important and relevant to them, and use this knowledge to your benefit.

“Always make the audience suffer as much as possible.”

Alfred Hitchcock

Establish Connection with the Reader

Establishing a close connection with the audience is the second step on your way to success. If you can show the reader that you have lots in common, this will make everything you write sound more convincing.

Drive Attention

Regardless of the type of material you are working on, keeping the audience engaged is vital for reaching your objectives. A great technique is to take the reader’s point of view. 

Settling yourself in the shoes of your audience will help you understand what appeals to them and find the most effective way to grab their attention.

Structure of the Text Right

Well-structured pieces look more “professional” and, thus, convincing. Also, proper structuring will make your text easier to read, so people will find it easier to digest the given material.

Find the Right Tone 

Of course, the content you bring in matters — however, the way you say what you have to say means even more. The right tone of voice can be used to your benefit to ensure the needed perception of the information by your readers.

Since we are talking about convincing someone, your perfect tone of voice should be confident, honest, transparent, and, most importantly, authoritative. If you can establish yourself as an authority, the chances that your audience will trust your expert opinion will be much higher.

Show Different Points of View

As a rule, every piece of persuasive content should reflect more than one side. The core concept behind this trick is to create a clear contrast between different points of view that would make your opinion look even more convincing.

Use Convincing Words

Not many people know, but there are actually some powerful, persuasive words that the masters of prose use to their benefit. And you can do it too! Some of such words are:

  • you; 
  • because; 
  • guaranteed; 
  • best; 
  • free; 
  • new; 
  • instantly (in marketing).

“What’s all this love of arguing? No one ever convinces anyone else.”

Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

Use Simple Language

The more accessible your message is to different groups of readers, the better! Therefore, don’t waver or overload your content. Keep the text clear and straight to the point.

On the Last Note: Provide Proof

Finally, in order to make your text truly persuasive, you have to support the ideas with powerful evidence. 

You can use real-life examples, studies, facts, statistics, expert opinions, and any other valid pieces of evidence that can help deliver your message. The more proof you show, the more convincing you will be.

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