Persuasiveness
/pərˈsweɪsɪvnəs/
nounB2
Definition
Persuasiveness is how good someone is at making others agree with them or accept their ideas. It involves using clear reasons, feelings, or examples to influence others. People with persuasiveness can often change opinions or encourage actions by speaking or writing well.
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See It in Action
The ability to convince or influence others by speaking or writing
- •Her persuasiveness helped the team agree on the new plan.
- •The lawyer's persuasiveness won the case.
- •Teachers use persuasiveness to encourage students to study hard.
The quality of being effective in changing opinions or decisions
- •The advertisement's persuasiveness increased sales.
- •His persuasiveness made many people support the charity.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "persuasiveness" like "talking" (A1 word), but with the special power to make people say "yes" or "I agree."
- ✓Picture a friend telling a story that makes you want to try something new or believe in their idea.
- ✓It's the feeling when someone explains something so clearly and kindly that you want to listen and follow.
- ✓Sounds like "persuade" + "ness" → imagine a person saying "Please, say yes!" very nicely and clearly.
- ✓Remember famous speakers or teachers who make you feel excited or sure about their ideas.
- ✓NOT like "shouting" (loud, angry), persuasiveness is calm and smart to help others understand.
- ✓NOT like "forcing" (making someone do something without choice), persuasiveness invites choice by good reasons.
- ✓NOT like "telling" (just giving information), persuasiveness is about convincing and influencing feelings or thoughts.
Try Other Words
- •Convincing power: the ability to make others believe (Use when describing the strength of arguments or speech)
- •Effectiveness: how well something works (Use when focusing on results rather than skill)
- •Influence: the ability to change someone's ideas or actions (Use for broader or slower changes)
- •Eloquence: skillful and clear speaking or writing (Use when emphasizing style and beauty of language)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "persuade" (to convince) + suffix "-ness" (shows quality or state)
- •Etymology: From Latin "persuadere," meaning "to convince thoroughly"
- •Historical development: Entered English in the 1600s to describe the power of speech or writing to convince
- •Modern usage: Used to describe someone's skill in convincing others in talks, writing, advertising, or daily life
Reflect & Connect
•How does persuasiveness change when you speak in your native language versus a foreign language?
•Can someone be persuasive without using many words? How?
Fill in the blanks
1.Her persuasiveness in the meeting helped ___ the team to agree on the new project.
2.The speaker's persuasiveness comes from clear reasons and ___ examples.
3.Unlike forcing, persuasiveness works by giving good ___ and choices.
4.Advertisements use persuasiveness to ___ customers to buy products.
5.To improve persuasiveness, you should practice speaking ___ and with confidence.
6.His persuasiveness was so strong that many people changed their ___ quickly.
7.Persuasiveness often requires understanding the listener's ___ and feelings.