Some means that can be useful in persuading others

 

1. Citing facts to support your view, naming their source if the facts are likely to be doubted.

2. Relating relevant incidents or experiences in which you or others have been involved. A vividly told experience is memorable and convincing.

3. Citing authorities who support your view. Brief direct quotations from the authority are impressive.

4. Using humour and funny stories to hold the interest of your readers or listeners. (Be sure, however, that you don't drag in a joke simply to get a laugh. The funny story can illust­rate your arguments in a memorable way.)

5. Using associations to establish a link between things everyone likes (nice people, good feelings, etc.) and the point of view for which you are arguing, or vice versa.

6. Making a direct appeal, once you have established your case, by expressing your conviction with sincerity or feeling.

7. Appealing to emotions, if the subject is one you feel deeply about. Don't, however, let the emotion drown the think­ing!

 

Unit Two

 

ATTACK AND RESPONSE

 

Attack

 

Wouldn't you agree

Wouldn't you say that

Isn't it (also) true (to say), to believe, to assume

Isn't it just possible tentative that + s

Might it not (also) be true

Surely you'd admit

Don't you think direct

tag questions: X is..., isn't it? X is..., isn't it?

X doesn't..., does it? direct

 

If you ask me; As you see it; I'd like to point out that; The point is

Response

I see (take) your point

Possibly (maybe so)

I'd agree with you to a certain extent

(tentative)

That may well be (direct) but+attack

 

Fair enough

OK informal

That's quite true...

 

Perhaps, but don't you think that

I'm not sure I quite agree

I see what you mean, but

Come off it! You can't be serious.

 

 

Unit Three

 

AGREEMENT AND DISAGREEMENT

 

Agreeing. Neutral: Yes, I agree. True enough. That's right I can't help thinking the same. Hour true. I couldn't agree more. How right that is. Oh, definitely.

Informal: Well, that's the thing. Well, this is it (isn't it)? Yes, right. Dead right. Too true. I'd go along with you there. I'm with you there.

Formal: Oh, I agree entirely. I agree absolutely with... My own view/opinion exactly. I'm of exactly the same opinion. I don't think anyone could/would disagree with...

 

Disagreeing. Neutral: (Oh,) I don't agree... I'm not (at all) sure, actually/in fact. Not really. Oh, I don't know. No, I don't think... I disagree (I'm afraid). That's not right, surely. That's not the way I see it. I can't agree with... I can't help thinking... But isn't it more a matter/question of...? Do you re­ally think...?

Informal: (Oh) surely not I don't see why. I can't go along with... (Oh,) come off it. Nonsense! Rubbish! No way! You must be joking. You can't mean that!

Formal: I really must take issue with you (there). (I'm afraid) I can't accept... I can't say that I share that/your view. I'm not at all convinced... I see things rather differently myself.

 

Saying you partly agree. Neutral: I don't entirely agree with... I see your point, but... I see what you mean, but.. To a certain extent, yes, but... There's a lot in what you say, but... Yes, maybe/perhaps, but.. I couldn't agree more, but... That's one way of looking at it, but... Yes, but on the other hand,... Yes, but we shouldn't forget... Yes, but don't you think... That's all very well, but...

Informal: Could be, but... OK, but... Yes, but... Mm, but... I'd go along with most of that, but...

Formal: Well, while I agree with you on the whole,... There's some/a lot of truth in what you say. Still/however,... I agree in principle, but... That may be so, but... Granted, but... Personally, I wouldn't go so far as (to say) that.

 

Unit Four