Applying Persuasive Language Outside of Work

If you’ve been on one of our Body Talk training courses, then you’ll know that we talk a lot about using persuasive language techniques for boardrooms, pitches and sales meetings. Mastering the art of persuasion is a skill which will undoubtedly serve you well in your career, but the benefits don’t stop when you close your laptop at the end of the day. Knowing how to influence others with your words is just as powerful outside of work – in everyday life, in conversations with friends and even in how you talk to yourself.

Not only does it build stronger relationship but can boost your confidence too. When you know how to speak to be heard, understood and respected, you start to feel more in control – and that’s a game changer.

Let’s explore how you can apply the power of persuasive language beyond the workplace.

Why Persuasion Matters in Everyday Life

There are so many moments in our everyday lives where we need to be persuasive, whether it’s something big or small. It could be suggesting a new plan for a group outing, needing to have a tricky conversation with your neighbour, or supporting a family member to make a difficult decision. These are all moments where persuasion plays a key role.

Whether you’re at a family dinner or catching up with someone over coffee, how you frame your ideas can determine whether your message lands or gets lost.

Persuasion is the ability to influence others with integrity and clarity, helping us to connect with others.

So how can we be more persuasive?

The Foundations: Ethos, Pathos and Logos

Let’s start with Aristotle’s three pillars of rhetoric: ethos, pathos and logos. These three appeals are the foundations of persuasive language and storytelling and can be used effectively together to help form convincing arguments.

Ethos: Credibility

Ethos is about persuasion through credibility and trust. In the workplace, we can demonstrate credibility through a range of examples from our qualifications and experience to reviews or endorsements. Demonstrating credibility is essentially showing that you’re someone who deserves to be listened to on a particular subject.

But when you’re outside of work, ethos may look different when you’re trying to persuade someone who knows you. This is where your values and character become your credentials.

For example, when a friend asks your advice on running their first marathon and you’ve been a runner for years, they’re more likely to take your suggestion seriously. To be persuasive, you just need authenticity.

Try phrases like:
“In my experience…”
“I’ve tried this myself and here’s what worked…”

These small touches build credibility without sounding arrogant.

Pathos: Emotion

Pathos taps into our emotions – and emotions drive decisions far more often than logic does, because we feel much stronger about the subject. When you share how something feels to you or how it might feel to someone else, people are more likely to lean in, listen, and care.

Let’s say you’re asking a friend to donate to a cause you care about. Rather than listing facts and statistics, you could use pathos or emotion. This could sound something like:

“I met a woman through the charity who had to choose between heating her home or buying food for her kids. It really upset me – I couldn’t stop thinking about it.”

Or imagine convincing a sibling to spend more time with your elderly parents:

“Mum was so happy the other day when I mentioned you might be able to visit this week. She keeps checking her phone, she’s desperate for you to call and say you’re coming. I think it would mean more than you realise.”

Even small moments count. If your friends want a big night out and you’re trying to persuade them to stay in, bringing a little bit of pathos might help…

“Honestly, I’ve had a really tough week and feel exhausted. I just need something low-key and comforting – I’d love to hang out, but without the noise.”

These aren’t manipulations – they’re honest, emotional appeals.

Logos: Logic

Logos means logic. It’s a persuasive language technique which appeals to our rational mind. Use elements of logos when you want to support your idea with facts, numbers or clear reasoning.

For example, if you are trying to persuade your mates to skip an expensive night out:

“We’ve spent over £200 between us the last two weekends. If we keep going at that rate, that’s £5k a year. I reckon we could find something just as fun, but easier on the wallet.”

Using simple logic helps make the message not only persuasive but also undeniable.

If you’d like to learn more about ethos, pathos and logos and how they can be used in persuasion, check out our storytelling training courses here.

Rhetorical Devices That Work in the Real World

Ethos, pathos and logos are some of the most well-known persuasive language techniques that can help to make any argument more convincing. But there are many other rhetorical techniques can give clarity to your message and make it more memorable.

Here are a few you can use in everyday settings:

The Rule of Three

Our brains are not very good at taking in a lot of facts all at once. But we do love patterns and sequences, which is why the rule of three is a useful rhetorical device. And when things appear in threes, our brain detects a sequence, which creates rhythm and expectation. It feels complete.

There are several ways you can use the rule of three to be persuasive outside of work.

Example 1: List three options to choose from

“We can go to the gym, go to supermarket or just have a chilled day at home”.

Example 2: List benefits in threes

“It’s quick, easy, and genuinely fun.”

Example 3: Use three-word phrases

“You’ve got this,” “Yes you can,” “Make it happen.”

Repetition

Repeating key words or ideas can reinforce your message. Anaphora and epistrophe are two ways to do this.

Anaphora

“We all want to be heard. We all want to be understood. We all want to be respected.”

Anaphora is repeating the beginning of a sentence. Starting multiple sentences the same way creates a strong, rising cadence — great for speeches or calls to action.

This can build momentum and help to make points stick.

Epistrophe

“I want to be heard. You want to be heard. We all want to be heard.”

Epistrophe is repeating the end of a sentence. It’s effective as it drives home a point, making the takeaway feel definitive. It also leaves a lasting impression as the final words echo in the listener’s mind.

Rhetorical Questions

Asking questions (and answering them) pulls people in. It invites them to think and engage.

Example:
“Do I want to spend another evening scrolling mindlessly? Or do I want to actually do something that makes me feel good?”

Choosing a powerful rhetorical question can help people to reflect on your ideas and to get them to engage more quickly with your argument.

Everyday Influence: From Group Chats to Real-World Decisions

Persuasive language techniques aren’t just for formal situations – they’re incredibly useful in casual interactions where tone, clarity and connection matter.

Imagine you’re trying to convince your friends to try something new for your next get-together. Rather than saying:

“Let’s not go to the same pub again – it’s boring.”

Try this:

“I love how easy that pub is, but I found this cool rooftop spot with live music. It’s got great reviews and I think it could be a fun change. What do you think?”

That subtle shift uses logos (the reviews), a bit of pathos (anticipating a fun experience) and offers respectful suggestion rather than criticism.

Or when you’re dealing with conflict – for example, a long wait at a restaurant – instead of going straight to frustration, you might say:

“I know tonight must be busy for you, and we really appreciate how hard you’re working (ethos). We’ve been waiting quite a while though, and we’re getting a bit anxious about missing our show (pathos). Is there anything you can do to help us out? (logos)”

It’s polite but assertive – a combination that’s far more persuasive than blunt complaints.

Confidence Through Clarity

One of the greatest benefits of applying persuasive language is the confidence it builds. When you know how to make your point effectively, you stop second-guessing yourself. You speak more clearly, listen more deeply and handle disagreement with more control.

It’s a life skill – not just a work skill.

And remember: persuasion doesn’t mean overpowering others. It means inviting them to see things from your perspective and doing it with kindness, clarity and purpose.

Final Thoughts

The next time you’re sharing an idea, making a request or disagreeing with someone – ask yourself:

• Am I building trust (ethos)?
• Am I appealing to their emotions (pathos)?
• Am I offering a clear reason (logos)?

And most importantly: am I staying true to my voice?

Because that’s the beauty of persuasive language – when it’s done well, it doesn’t just help you get what you want. It helps you show up as the best version of yourself.

Want to learn more about persuasive communication? Explore our Body Talk courses and unlock the power of language in every part of your life.