Trivializing Words

Techniques > Use of Language > Persuasive language > Trivializing words

Trivializing targets | Discounting others | Sneaking through | Trivial words

Some words have an effect of trivializing, of making something smaller and less important than it really is. Such words can be used both to defend and to attack.

Trivialization is often used in negotiations to make what you want seem smaller.

Trivializing targets

You can trivialize many things, including:

• Time: It won't take you very long.

• People: You're not that clever.

• Ideas: There are better ways of doing things.

• Money: It's not very expensive for what you are getting.

Discounting others

If trivializing words are applied to other people, words or things, then these may be discounted or reduced it in status. If you reduce the status of the other person, then anything they say or do will be

    That was just a simple one. Show me something more difficult.

    He is hardly the sharpest knife in the drawer.

    Is this all you have?

Sneaking through

Trivialization can also be applied to oneself or something that you want, to make it seem unimportant such that the other person will not object to it.

    It is only a small matter.

    I won't be long.

    An extra seat won't cost much.

Trivial words

Trivialization can be done with complete sentences and phrases. Key words that can be used include:

• Just: I just want five minutes.

• Only: There are only two of us.

• Simply: It is simply a good thing to do.

• Hardly: I hardly think that is important.

• Quite: It is quite interesting.