B LIFE SKILLS: PERSUADING OTHER PEOPLE TO DO THINGS How we attempt to persuade other people and communicate what we would like them to do depends on the importance of the situation and the relationship between the two people involved. Sometimes appealing to factors that motivate other people (rewards, fears, achievements or social pressure) can help to persuade them.
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In pairs. Imagine you have been ill and have been unable to complete an assignment for a tutor on time. After apologizing and explaining the situation, you ask for an extension. You also try mentioning factors that might motivate your tutor. Match suggestions a–d with the correct type of motivating factor from the box. Discuss which you think would be most or least likely to succeed.
achievements fears rewards social pressure
a I’m afraid that if I don’t get an extension, I may fail, and it could reflect badly on you. b My other tutor gave me an extension on the assignment I have to do for her. c I really enjoy your class and your teaching methods, and I always say so in the student feedback forms.
d If you give me an extension, I shall do so much better and be a credit to you. 2
In groups. You want your parents to buy you a laptop. Think of different motivating factors you could use to help persuade them to do this. What could you say?