How to Be a More Persuasive Speaker of English
In this article, you’ll learn how to become a more persuasive English speaker using a simple and effective persuasion speech framework.
As a non-native speaker, mastering persuasion in English is crucial because it can greatly help you to influence others during meetings, lead projects better, and open opportunities for career growth.
Many non-natives struggle with persuasion due to a lack of confidence in presenting their ideas in the English language. This can lead to frustration because you have a good idea, but insecurity with English makes it difficult to present your ideas clearly and convincingly.
The key to being persuasive in English is to feel confident with your English.
Becoming a more persuasive English speaker involves building confidence in explaining your ideas in English. Organising your thought process using speech frameworks is very effective for gaining confidence.
So today, I want to share a powerful yet easy-to-apply persuasion speech framework called The Problem-Solution Formula.
This is a structured approach to address challenges by presenting a clear solution with its benefits, followed by a call to action to implement the proposed solution.
Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Identify the problem or challenge.
Step 2: Present your proposed solution.
Step 3: Highlight the benefits and advantages of your solution.
Step 4: Call to action: Encourage others to support or implement the solution.
“Influence is just persuasion in slow motion.”
Robert McKee
Here’s a detailed look at each of the 4 steps with example expressions:
Step 1: Identify the Problem or Challenge
This step involves clearly articulating the problem or challenge that needs to be addressed. It sets the context for why a solution is necessary and provides clarity on the issue at hand.
Example Expressions:
“We’ve encountered an issue with…”
“One of the challenges we’re facing is…”
“It seems that we’re struggling with…”
Step 2: Present your Proposed Solution
In this phase, you propose a specific idea that you believe will resolve the identified challenge. This could be a new approach, a change in process or a product improvement
Example Expressions:
“I’d like to suggest a solution to address this…”
“Here’s an idea that might help us overcome this challenge…”
“What if we tried…”
Step 3: Highlight the Benefits and Advantages of Your Solution
Here, you outline the positive outcomes that the proposed solution would bring. This could include improved efficiency, cost savings or enhanced customer satisfaction.
Example Expressions:
“This solution would lead to…”
“By implementing this approach, we can expect to…”
“The main advantage of this solution is that it…”
Step 4: Call to Action
Finally, you invite stakeholders or decision-makers to take action on the proposed solution. This step is crucial as it aims to get support, or approval from others involved.
Example Expressions:
“I encourage everyone to consider this solution and provide feedback.”
“Let’s move forward with this proposal and see how it works in practice.”
“Can we all agree to support this solution and take the necessary steps to implement it?”
Take Action
As a final point, ensure that you prepare for the next time you present a solution to a challenge at work. Apply the Problem-Solution Formula and write down what you want to say for each of the four steps. Once you have done that, practice saying each step aloud to build confidence.
