It’s really not that subtle a trick. If it sounds unnatural it may be more a consequence of a lack of practice in persuasive writing generally (in which case, bravo for practising, icebrand!) than of special brain chemistry that irreparably cripples and nerdifies you if you try anything socially ‘fancy’.
I hadn’t thought of it specifically in terms of persuasive writing. But that’s essentially what I want to do; persuade cryonics advocates to take more action, and persuade fence-sitters to become advocates. Perhaps reading some formal persuasive writing literature would be instructive to getting a more natural feel. But as you say it is likely to be more a matter of practice. My normal style is more explanatory than persuasive.
I guess my trouble is I don’t have much practice with this particular kind of writing where I’m being selective about relating just the details (and context) that will get the result I want. I’m normally very good at explaining exactly what’s on my mind, i.e. communicating when the result I’m shooting for is solely conveying my point, and perhaps winning the argument. In this case the desired result is to define the argument “properly” to begin with.
There is certainly a part of my mind that keeps whispering “you’ll never make it in Slytherin...” whenever I try stuff like this. I’m trying to ignore it and see what happens. If it’s really just a practice issue it should clear up eventually.
It’s really not that subtle a trick. If it sounds unnatural it may be more a consequence of a lack of practice in persuasive writing generally (in which case, bravo for practising, icebrand!) than of special brain chemistry that irreparably cripples and nerdifies you if you try anything socially ‘fancy’.
I hadn’t thought of it specifically in terms of persuasive writing. But that’s essentially what I want to do; persuade cryonics advocates to take more action, and persuade fence-sitters to become advocates. Perhaps reading some formal persuasive writing literature would be instructive to getting a more natural feel. But as you say it is likely to be more a matter of practice. My normal style is more explanatory than persuasive.
I guess my trouble is I don’t have much practice with this particular kind of writing where I’m being selective about relating just the details (and context) that will get the result I want. I’m normally very good at explaining exactly what’s on my mind, i.e. communicating when the result I’m shooting for is solely conveying my point, and perhaps winning the argument. In this case the desired result is to define the argument “properly” to begin with.
There is certainly a part of my mind that keeps whispering “you’ll never make it in Slytherin...” whenever I try stuff like this. I’m trying to ignore it and see what happens. If it’s really just a practice issue it should clear up eventually.