How we change what others think, feel, believe and do |
Future Language
Techniques > Use of language > Persuasive language > Future Language Method | Discussion | See also
MethodTo get people away from a focus on the past or the present, use language that asks them to think about possible futures. ImaginingGet people to imagine what may happen in the future. This is mostly done visually, but can also be auditory or physical. For example:
Consider the effect when, rather than saying 'You should get a new dress', you might say 'Imagine you had a new dress' or 'Suppose you had a new dress'. TemporaryIt can help get over fears of the future if you just ask people to think about the future for a short period.
Notice the difference between saying 'Imagine you had a new dress', and saying 'Just imagine you had a new dress'. Future presentYou can add power to talking about the future by using the present tense of the verb instead of the future tense. You can also using words that bring it into the present such as 'now' and 'here'.
Notice the difference between saying 'Just imagine you had a new dress', and saying 'Now just imagine you have a new dress'. DiscussionAsking people just to consider a possibility breaks their past or present thinking, forcing them to consider alternatives. Possibilities, as opposed to certainties, supports the need for a sense of control, letting them feel they can still choose. Going into the future forces the person to move away from the anchor of the overpowering effect of the present. This opens them up to new thinking, or at least reduces the effect of their previous thinking. Another way to get people to think about their own future when they do not want to do this, is to paint a picture of other people in their future. If the target person can connect with those people, then they will also connect with their own actions and so start to accept possibilities for themselves. Thinking about the future can hence be very motivating, changing the decisions a person makes about what they will do now. Words like 'just' and 'suppose' are often enough to persuade them to try this, implying that it is a small and temporary action and that their present reality is not being challenged. See alsoSensory Language, Temporal Language
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| 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 | |
| Home | Top | Menu | Quick Links | |
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