How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Poetic

Techniques > General persuasion > Creating Cognitive Load > Poetic

Description | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Get people to think more by using elegant, even poetic language. Use metaphors, idioms and figures of speech. Use different phrasing, odd pausing and even, strange parsing.

Let words, phrases and sentences have hidden meaning that peeks out, tempting people to muse on alternative possibilities.

Example

There are three, easy elegant ways you can, you know, make headway. Anyway you must, come with me now.

This is like an elephant on a skateboard. The downward pressure of gravity is preventing the forward motion of intent.  

Discussion

In poetic language, every word has deliberate intent, both alone and in combination with others. The result is designed to intrigue, confuse and change minds.

Repetition and hidden rhythm can have a hypnotic effect, drawing the person in and closing attention to other things. In such states, people can become especially suggestive.

See also

Metaphor, Storytelling