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Object Focus

Techniques > Use of language > Persuasive language > Object Focus

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

Method

Make the object of the sentence the focus of attention, letting the subject slip by unnoticed.

The subject may be named, or may be omitted altogether.

Example

Tell me about book that is being written. (omitted subject - who is writing the book)

Look at this awful mess that has been made by your friends. (focus on mess, friends not the focus)

Discussion

In English grammar, subjects act on objects. Thus in 'The cat sat on the mat', the cat is the subject and the mat is the object.

When you make the object the focus of the sentence, then less attention is paid to the subject.

Here is a classic example:

How many of each kind of animal did Moses take onto the ark?

The answer is none, because it was Noah who took animals onto the ark. Erikson and Mattson called this the 'Moses Illusion'.

See also

Erikson, T. and Mattson, M. (1981). From words to meaning: a semantic illusion, Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 20, 540-51

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Site Menu

| Home | Top | Quick Links | Settings |

Main sections: | Disciplines | Techniques | Principles | Explanations | Theories |

Other sections: | Blog! | Quotes | Guest articles | Analysis | Books | Help |

More pages: | Contact | Caveat | About | Students | Webmasters | Awards | Guestbook | Feedback | Sitemap | Changes |

Settings: | Computer layout | Mobile layout | Small font | Medium font | Large font | Translate |

Please help and share:

Quick links

Disciplines

* Argument
* Brand management
* Change Management
* Coaching
* Communication
* Counseling
* Game Design
* Human Resources
* Job-finding
* Leadership
* Marketing
* Politics
* Propaganda
* Rhetoric
* Negotiation
* Psychoanalysis
* Sales
* Sociology
* Storytelling
* Teaching
* Warfare
* Workplace design

Techniques

* Assertiveness
* Body language
* Change techniques
* Closing techniques
* Conversation
* Confidence tricks
* Conversion
* Creative techniques
* General techniques
* Happiness
* Hypnotism
* Interrogation
* Language
* Listening
* Negotiation tactics
* Objection handling
* Propaganda
* Problem-solving
* Public speaking
* Questioning
* Using repetition
* Resisting persuasion
* Self-development
* Sequential requests
* Storytelling
* Stress Management
* Tipping
* Using humor
* Willpower

Principles

Explanations

* Behaviors
* Beliefs
* Brain stuff
* Conditioning
* Coping Mechanisms
* Critical Theory
* Culture
* Decisions
* Emotions
* Evolution
* Gender
* Games
* Groups
* Habit
* Identity
* Learning
* Meaning
* Memory
* Motivation
* Models
* Needs
* Personality
* Power
* Preferences
* Research
* Relationships
* SIFT Model
* Social Research
* Stress
* Trust
* Values

Theories

* Alphabetic list
* Theory types

And

– About
– Guest Articles
– Blog!
– Books
– Changes
– Contact
– Guestbook
– Quotes
– Students
– Webmasters

| Home | Top | Menu | Quick Links |

© Changing Works 2002-
Massive Content — Maximum Speed