Writing to Persuade

March 25, 2019
Hall (A Little Work) delivers an instructional guide to writing the sort of persuasively argued think pieces she oversaw during her four years as editor of the New York Times Op-Ed page. Writing broadly rather than in bullet points, and illustrating her observations with examples of submissions she handled during her tenure, she addresses the many aspects of writing that distinguish an exercise in expository writing and make it attract attention, such as drawing on a deeply personal experience to crystallize a generally relevant concern (she cites Angelina Jolie’s column on her double mastectomy to raise breast cancer awareness) and playing on feelings to connect emotionally with one’s audience. Some of her insights will seem obvious, if useful: don’t make readers defensive by arguing, enliven a theme with storytelling, and prune one’s prose of clichés and jargon, to name a few. Others are profound in their clarity: speaking about the different moral values to which people cling, she writes, “You can’t expect someone to change their basic values, so you have to make your argument in a way that fits with their values.” This book offers sound, well-reasoned advice that will benefit any writer.

May 1, 2019
From the former editor of the New York Times op-ed page, a book that is part memoir, part self-help, and part writing guide. At its core, Hall's text is about becoming a better listener, friend, partner, and citizen. Readers looking for tips on how to run the editorial gauntlet of the New York Times or other top national publications will find a few here. Unfortunately, some of the determining factors are beyond the fledgling writer's control. As the author clearly shows, your work is more likely to be read by an editor if you are a celebrity, a writer with a following, or someone referred by a journalistic colleague. For those without such advantages who hope to rise above the slush pile, the advice is fairly routine: Focus your piece, write clearly and conversationally, tell stories, be specific, have a different perspective or experience, surprise the editor with your story, and delight her with the quality of your prose. Beyond such standard advice, the worth of Hall's counsel extends well beyond writing, as she illuminates the types of attitudes and approaches that might make others more receptive or resistant and how crucial it is to find common bonds or frames of reference, to engage rather than antagonize. In these times of political polarization, she suggests that it's still possible to find common ground and to talk to each other rather than shout past each other. This may not result in publishable opinion pieces or help you persuade anyone of anything, but it might make for a more civil, polite society. Near the end, the author offers a helpful section called "How to Write and Pitch an Op-Ed," including the advice, "you need to offer an opinion, not just an analysis of the problem or applause for someone else's solution." A lucid book about building bridges through communication along with some interesting behind-the-scenes background at the NYT.

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Starred review from May 1, 2019

Former New York Times Op-Ed editor Hall delivers a guide as valuable to persuasive prose as to living the writer's life. In five sections, Hall lays out industry practices through her 20-plus years of experience, including personal asides on maintaining a sense of humor--and titanium nerve endings. Particularly important is knowing your audience and understanding what people love, loathe, relish, and dread. A connection can be made by touching on common feelings and reaffirming them. This "tactical" mode is easily visible in advertising campaigns, wherein persuasion is manipulation, and stirring emotions will influence readers across media. Empathy here is described as not inherently positive or negative but as a tool liable to be used generously or cynically. To writers, this means sensing--not judging--what others feel. Although it's not easy to define what changes people and their perceptions, the author leaves us with what works: qualify your statements, admit you might not know everything about your topic, use charts and graphs to help readers absorb information, target an audience through its values, and more. VERDICT A sensible, all-encompassing resource for both seasoned and aspiring writers.--William Grabowski, McMechen, WV

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2019
In her more than two decades as editor of the New York Times op-ed page, Hall read a lot of unconvincing writing. She observed that in journalism, as in life, there are certain tactics that work, and plenty that don't, when it comes to convincing others your opinion is right. Part memoir, part style manual, this book presents the rules of persuasion as Hall has seen them at play. She acknowledges that, like all rules, hers could be broken?but, after reading her clear and researched explanation of each one, it's hard to imagine how. Arguing, for example, is pretty much guaranteed to keep your audience at bay, as is a lack of understanding of your audience's point of view. At the core of Hall's advice is a focus on the power of empathy: finding common ground to find a path forward, advice that extends far beyond the pages of an essay. Woven throughout are fascinating anecdotes from Hall's career; stories of chasing the truth, interrogating her own opinions, and encouraging others to do the same.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)