Persuasive vs. Directive Communication Persuasive

Persuasive vs. Directive Communication

PERSUASIVE vs. DIRECTIVE WRITING

DIRECT MODE:

Mary Jones

Team Leader

PERSUASIVE MODE:

Most people think that Halloween parties are just for kids. But you might be surprised to find out that Halloween could also be fun and, not to mention, beneficial for a working adult like you. Not only will you establish good camaraderie with your officemates, you will also get a chance to show off your creativity and impress people. Not to mention, you will have a chance to gain benefits for yourself as well.

The upcoming Halloween party offers activities in which you will have to mingle with our officemates. This is good for our team because we will be able to share thoughts and ideas about something outside work. Furthermore, you will also have the chance to meet people from other departments. You may be surprised to stumble into people in the office that has the same interests as you do. Also, you can get to know your bosses up-close and personal!

You will be able to impress people with your costume too. For example, the way you made your costume may reflect how you can be creative on actual projects in the future. Also, the higher ups will be impressed if we, as a team, are united in a common theme, such as characters from FAIRY TALES. This will show them that we are all good team players!

Management will be awarding the best costumes (individual/team) with cash prizes. So don't miss this chance to show off all the creativity you've got. By giving your best, you will increase your chance to win the best costume (individual) award. And by doing so, our team's chance to grab the award for the best costume (team) award also increases. Furthermore, aside from the money, you will also win the approval of your bosses through this.

So mark your calendar this coming Saturday, on the 31st of October. Come to our Halloween bash in a FAIRY TALE costume like Prince Charming, Evil Step Sister, or Fairy Godmother, and see for yourself the benefits it has in store for you. Get out of your comfort zone and don't miss this once-a-year event. Use this opportunity to establish your own place in the office.

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED in the EXERCISE:

Direct communication and persuasive communication both aim to make the reader/listener do certain things that the writer/speaker wants them to. Their difference from each other could be seen in their construction and the way they are constructed. Direct communication requires an authority figure directing a person to do what he/she wants done, with or without good reason. As such, the words used would tend to focus on the person giving the direction rather than the person actually doing the task. This type of communication would only work for a certain group of people, particularly those who hold a position of authority. Alternatively, persuasive communication can be used by anyone mainly using persuasive words to convince the one who would do the task that it is beneficial for them. Thus, the focus will be on the task doer himself, rather than the one asking for it (R.F. Abbott, 2007). In my opinion, persuasive communication is generally better than directive communication because it makes the task doer feel valued and fulfilled even before he/she starts doing the job. Psychologists argue that we need to find fulfillment through having goals that are interesting to work on and which use our strengths and abilities. (M. Rudin, 2006). To quote Antoine de Saint-Exupery, "If you want to build a ship, don't herd people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea." Nevertheless, directive communication should also be used in appropriate situations. For instance, when you feel that a subordinate is losing his/her respect for you and therefore is not obeying you no matter how much you persuade him/her.