The climate movement needs to change its strategy, forget about persuading everybody, and focus on telling a story. It needs “moral genius”.
Write visually and inspire action using Monroe’s Motivated Sequence
Monroe’s Motivated Sequence is a persuasive speaking format. It’s a variation of the problem-solution format that is visual and inspires action.
“People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”
Words are easily forgotten, but feelings and emotions are seared in the minds of everyone. Understanding that is the key to better writing.
Words that beat ‘global warming’ and ‘climate change’ — a guide
For people to care about global warming it needs to be made relevant. This guide shows the language that’s simple and uncontroversial.
A quick look into the six principles of influence
We all use Robert Cialdini’s six principles of persuasion. What are they are and how can we use them to communicate effectively?
The Political Mind — George Lakoff
If Don’t Think of an Elephant! has been checked off your list, the next stop for persuasive language is George Lakoff’s The Political Mind.
Words that Work by Frank Luntz
Frank Luntz’s Words that Work is a valuable part of the toolkit for communicators. It’s full of great lessons in creating language that works.
Stuck with your presentation? Talk about what is and what could be
The contrast between what is and what could be is a powerful means of persuasion. Steve Jobs used it. So did Martin Luther King, Jr.
Why you should limit facts and figures
Speakers who rely on facts and figures risk losing their audience. Aristotle’s third mode of persuasion, logos, should be used sparingly.