Choose the direct or the indirect approach Show Most persuasive messages use the indirect approach to explain reasons and build interest beforerevealing the purpose.Use the direct approach if Get answer to your question and much more Your message is long or complexIf you use the direct approach, you still need to include at least a brief justification or explanationof your reasons.Your choice of the direct or the indirect approach also depends on the amount of your authority,expertise, or power in an organization.When completing persuasive messages, you must make sure that youJudge your argument objectivelySeriously appraise your credibilityCarefully match the purpose and organization to audience needsDesign your message to complement your argumentChoose a delivery method that fits your audience’s expectationsProofread for any mechanical or spelling errors that would weaken your argumentSending Persuasive MessagesIn persuasive messages, you must communicate your main idea and reasons, but you must alsomotivate your audience to do something. Before you touch that keyboard, ask yourself whether your reader is sympathetic or hostile to your message. And then apply this simple persuasive strategy: When writing to a sympathetic reader, take a direct approach: recommendation first, then reasons. When writing to a hostile reader, take an indirect approach: reasons first, then recommendation. By "indirect," I don't mean noncommittal, equivocal or wishy-washy. As a persuasive strategy, "indirect" refers to the ordering or structure of your argument. A direct approach with a sympathetic reader assumes the reader is open to your conclusion, so you should offer it directly. An indirect approach with a hostile reader assumes the reader must be prepared for your conclusion, so you should delay it. For example, which of the two approaches below do you think is direct? Which is indirect? 1. For our next book, let's read Maeve Binchy's "A Week in Winter." After Kevin Power's "The Yellow Birds," which was beautifully written but painful to read, our book club could use some light reading, something fun that keeps us turning the pages. 2. For our next book, how about some light reading, something fun that keeps us turning the pages? After Kevin Power's "The Yellow Birds," which was beautifully written but painful to read, our book club could use something easy. I recommend Maeve Binchy's "A Week in Winter." If you said example 1 was direct and example 2 was indirect, you were right. For practice in structuring your argument according to your reader's openness to your message, rearrange the order of the following sentences, changing the direct approach to an indirect approach. Your reordered argument will require some minor revisions in wording. "There's only one way to block Obamacare: Attach an amendment to defund it to the continuing resolution. The burden of this disastrous legislation will undermine our nation's economic recovery." Here's an indirect version of that argument: "The burden of Obamacare will undermine our nation's economic recovery. There's only one way to block this disastrous legislation: Attach an amendment to defund it to the continuing resolution." One more example. If you wanted to ask someone out but you weren't certain whether that person was interested in you (or sympathetic to your request), which of the following persuasive strategies would be more likely to succeed? 1. I have two tickets to a Brandi Carlile concert. Should be a fun evening. Would you like to come with me? 2. Would you like to go out with me tonight? I have two tickets to a Brandi Carlile concert. Should be a fun evening. If you said version 1, you were right. The indirect approach would be better. If you live in Minnesota, however, you might alter the wording from "Would you like to come with me?" to "Would you like to come with?" Either way, if you think your reader is sympathetic to your message, offer your recommendation first, then your reasons. If you think your reader is hostile, offer your reasons first, then your recommendation. Stephen Wilbers offers training seminars in effective business writing. E-mail him at . His website is www.wilbers.com. If you need to deliver bad news or information that you know will not please the recipient, you have the option of choosing either a direct approach or an indirect approach. Using the direct approach, you deliver the message straight away after your salutation, whereas a more indirect approach will include some kind of buffer before you deliver your message. Which strategy you choose depends on the situation and the way in which
you wish to present your message. Whereas writers in Swedish tend to use a direct approach, correspondence in English often relies on a more indirect approach to deliver what might be seen as unpleasant information. Using a direct approach means that you get straight to the point after the salutation and a reference to previous contact. Examples (More formal): Examples (Less formal): If you use an indirect approach, you add some kind of buffer, or padding, before you deliver your message. Such buffers usually express appreciation or understanding, although they can also present a neutral factual statement. The following examples deal with ways of telling applicants they have not received funding, although the phrases can be used in other contexts too. After recognising previous correspondence (Thank you for your email /
application / etc.], some writers choose to open with a piece of good news before the bad news is delivered. Is persuasive indirect or direct?We define direct persuasion as persuasion that has clear and apparent intentions. In contrast, indirect persuasion does not clearly expose its own position, confront or condemn users' existing attitudes, or adopt an identity typical of people who already agree with the message.
Why are persuasive messages often indirect?Because many persuasive messages are given to audiences that are not likely to agree with the presenter, they are often designed to use the indirect approach. The direct approach is most effective when used for an audience that is ready to hear your proposal. A) appeal, indirect, direct, action.
When should you use a direct approach to persuade?When you use the direct approach, the main idea (such as a recommendation, conclusion, or request) comes in the "top" of the document, followed by the evidence. This is a deductive argument. This approach is used when your audience will be neutral or positive about your message.
Why are most persuasive messages organized in an indirect order?A message organized in indirect order presents the supporting details before the main idea. Unfavorable, negative, and persuasive messages should be written using the indirect order. Stating supporting information before presenting the bad news helps prepare the receiver for the negative message.
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