From Malay Mail · · 1m 30s
The things we don’t have to agree on
Persuasive writing guides understanding without demanding agreement, as a professor reflects on class lessons.
In brief
Persuasive writing guides understanding without demanding agreement, as a professor reflects on class lessons. Writing can shape how people interpret experiences without requiring them to agree with the writer's perspective. Originally reported by Malay Mail.
Class experience at Universiti Malaya
The author attended a persuasive writing session at Universiti Malaya, initially expecting to dislike it.
Reluctance to engage with persuasive writing
The author associated persuasive writing with manipulation and felt uncomfortable imposing beliefs on others.
AIDA marketing principle connection
The author recognized parallels between persuasive writing and AIDA, the marketing principle of attention, interest, desire and action.
Storytelling without persuasion
The author writes stories that allow meaning to emerge naturally rather than imposing conclusions.
Mother's gold bracelet story
The author shared a story about his mother pawning her gold bracelet for RM500 to help with university costs.
Word associations shape expectations
The author explained how words like 'ambitious' or 'traditional' create premature expectations in people's minds.
Revised understanding of persuasion
The author concluded that writing can guide understanding without requiring agreement with the writer's interpretation.
C’est la vie reflection
The author ended the class with a note saying 'C’est la vie!' after finding the lesson more interesting than expected.
Nahrizul Adib Kadri's background
Nahrizul Adib Kadri is a professor of biomedical engineering at Universiti Malaya and director of UM Press.
The takeaway
Writing can shape how people interpret experiences without requiring them to agree with the writer's perspective.
