Writing to influence

Hello there! 👋 Let’s delve into the concept of ‘Writing to Influence’ and break it down with ease and emojis, drawing from our sources and conversations. 📝✨

What is ‘Writing to Influence’? 🤔

‘Writing to Influence’ is a specific way of using language with the aim of making others believe, think, decide, or act in a particular way – specifically, as you (the writer) do or want them to do. It’s about swaying opinions and getting people to agree with your viewpoint, often on a controversial subject.

Think of it as trying to persuade someone to see things your way, even if it means presenting information in a carefully chosen manner. While it might seem ethically tricky (“Is it ethically correct to influence others?”), the sources note that writers often genuinely believe in what they’re writing and want others to share that belief, which, in that sense, isn’t considered unethical. The core purpose is to achieve a specific goal by using language strategically.

How is it Done? (The Language of Influence) 🗣️✍️

The language used in ‘Writing to Influence’ is distinct from, say, a straightforward lab manual or a neutral report. It often employs specific linguistic tools to achieve its persuasive effect, sometimes by being less precise than other forms of writing:

1. Vague or Questioning Quantities 🤷‍♀️: Instead of giving exact figures, influential writing might use words and phrases that indicate or question quantity in a general sense. Examples include “how many,” “how recent,” “minimum numbers,” “several,” “strong preference,” or “continuing to rise”. These expressions appear without specific particulars or hard data, leaving room for interpretation or an exaggerated impression.

   • Example: “Sales are continuing to rise!” 📈 (But from what starting point? By how much? No exact numbers given.)

2. Percentages over Absolute Numbers 📊: A common technique is to cite percentages, especially when they sound impressive, rather than the raw, absolute numbers. This can be used to magnify the perceived impact of a finding, even if the total sample size is small. For instance, “78 percent” might sound great, but it could be 78% of a very small group, such as 250 people out of 350 respondents, or even 8.7% of a small sample might be “under 25 people”.

   • Example: “A staggering 78% of people preferred our product!” 🌟 (But 78% of how many total people surveyed? A small sample can still yield high percentages.)

3. Ambiguous Quality Standards 🏅: Terms that sound positive but lack concrete definitions are frequently used. Phrases like “high standards” or “high quality standards” are examples. These convey a positive impression without needing to specify what those standards actually entail.

   • Example: “Our service meets high quality standards.” ✅ (What are these standards? How are they measured?)

4. Creating Impressions (Big from Small, Small from Big) 🎩🐰: This type of writing can create an impression that “big things” are being presented when they are, in fact, small, or vice versa. This manipulation of perception is a key tool of influence, often identified as “propaganda” when done intentionally.

   • Example: Highlighting a tiny improvement as a “major breakthrough” or downplaying a significant issue as “minor” to shape perception.

These linguistic tools are intentionally chosen to influence others into thinking as the writer wishes. The writer’s goal is to present information in a way that aligns with their desired outcome, making the document sound persuasive rather than purely factual.

Why is it Important to Understand This? 🤔💡

Understanding ‘Writing to Influence’ is crucial for several reasons:

• Critical Thinking 🧐: It helps you become a more discerning reader and listener. By recognizing these linguistic patterns, you can identify when information is being presented to influence you, rather than just inform you. This knowledge helps you “understand the propaganda part of it in no time”.
• Effective Communication 🎯: Knowing these techniques allows you to choose your words more carefully when you want to communicate effectively. While a lab manual demands unambiguous precision, and a Statement of Purpose (SOP) requires “simple words in simple sentences” to tell an honest story, influencing language operates differently. Understanding this distinction can enhance your communicative effectiveness and confidence.
• Avoiding Bias (Your Own) 🚧: It makes you aware of how you might unintentionally influence others through your language, even if you’re not trying to be manipulative. This awareness can help you overcome unconscious biases in your own communication.
• Skill Development 🛠️: Like any aspect of language, learning to write or speak influentially (or to counter it) is a skill best acquired “by doing rather than by only listening or watching”. This involves actively analyzing examples and practicing writing on controversial topics yourself.

In essence, it’s about mastering the “how” of language use – knowing how to use language deliberately to achieve specific goals, whether that’s to inform, argue, or influence.

Practice Questions 🤔

Scenario: Imagine a company, “EcoClean,” wants to promote its new, environmentally friendly cleaning product. They’ve conducted a small internal survey among 50 employees who tested the product.

Question 1 (Vague Quantity/Quality): Which of the following phrases best exemplifies ‘influencing language’ by using vague quantity or quality to describe the product’s performance? A) “EcoClean achieved a 95% satisfaction rate in our recent survey.” B) “The product removed 20 different types of stains.” C) “Many users reported significant improvement in cleaning power.” D) “EcoClean’s formula contains 12 natural ingredients.”

Question 2 (Percentages vs. Absolute Numbers): EcoClean wants to highlight that a lot of people loved their new scent. 40 out of 50 employees liked it. Which statement uses ‘influencing language’ by prioritizing percentages to create a more impactful impression? A) “40 employees enjoyed the new scent.” B) “A substantial 80% of our testers loved the new EcoClean scent!” C) “More than two-thirds of our testers liked the scent.” D) “Just 10 employees disliked the new scent.”

Question 3 (Overall Impression/Purpose): If an advertisement for EcoClean stated, “Our innovative formula offers unparalleled cleanliness, ensuring your home is exceptionally fresh,” what is the primary purpose of using such language, according to the principles of ‘writing to influence’? A) To provide precise, measurable details about the product’s effectiveness. B) To inform the consumer about the scientific breakdown of the formula. C) To sway the consumer’s opinion and make them believe in the product’s superiority through strong, yet undefined, claims. D) To offer a balanced and neutral review of the product’s attributes.

Solutions ✅

Answer 1: C) Explanation: Option C uses the phrase “significant improvement”. This is a vague quality indicator; “significant” is subjective and not precisely quantified, allowing the company to imply a high level of performance without committing to measurable data. Options A, B, and D provide specific, measurable data.

Answer 2: B) Explanation: Option B highlights the percentage (80%) without explicitly stating the small total number of participants (50 employees) in the main impactful part of the sentence. While 40 out of 50 is a good result, presenting it as “80% of our testers” sounds more sweeping and impressive, a common tactic in influencing language.

Answer 3: C) Explanation: The phrases “unparalleled cleanliness” and “exceptionally fresh” are strong, positive claims that are not defined or measured. Their primary purpose is to create a highly positive impression and influence the consumer’s belief in the product’s superiority, without relying on literal or precise information. This aligns with the core goal of ‘writing to influence’.