The Power of Spatial Words and References
In this article, we examined the use of words and references which suggest a relationship or link between concepts and objects using spatial terms.
These terms can help to provide a visual representation of the association between ideas, allowing us to better understand their implications.
By exploring these spatial references, we can gain an improved insight into the connection that exists between different ideas and things.
We’ll begin by taking a look at the subject in broad terms and the ways in which such strategies work using different techniques, then we’ll zero in on some specific words and the ways in which they can be used to effectively persuade.
Spatial words and references are highly effective instruments of persuasion, since they enable speakers to construct vivid mental images within the imagination of their listeners.
By employing these linguistic tools, communicators can paint vibrant pictures that help to reinforce key points and make their arguments more persuasive.
The ability to summon up strong visualizations has been demonstrated to be a powerful method for persuading people; therefore, making use of spatial words and references is a crucial component in any successful attempt at influencing another’s opinion.
These images can be used to make abstract concepts more concrete and relatable, and to create an emotional connection between the speaker and the audience through the use of emotive language.
Spatial References Used as Metaphor
One example of the persuasive power of spatial words is the use of metaphor. Metaphors are comparisons that use spatial words or references to describe something in terms of something else.
For example, the phrase “the world is a stage” uses the spatial reference of a stage to describe the world as a place where people play different roles.
This metaphor creates a vivid image in the mind of the audience and can be used to make the idea of the world as a place of role-playing more relatable and understandable.
The Spatial Arrangement of Words In A Sentence to Affect How They Are Perceived
Another example of the persuasive power of spatial words is the use of strategic spatial arrangement. Strategically arranging words in a sentence can have a powerful impact on how they are perceived and interpreted by the audience.
Such arrangements can be used to emphasize certain ideas, draw attention to particular points, or even influence the way an audience will interpret the meaning behind a statement.
For instance, if a speaker desires to stress a particular point, they can utilize the technique of positioning it at either the beginning or concluding part of their sentence in order to make it more prominent. This can be an effective way to draw attention to an idea and ensure that it is not overlooked.
Similarly, if a speaker wants to create a sense of movement or progression, they can use words and phrases that suggest sequential movement through the structure of the sentence, such as “first,” “then,” and “finally.” This also incorporates the use of temporal language, making it even more powerful.
Creating A Sense of Distance or Proximity, Unity or Separation
Spatial references can be utilized to generate a feeling of distance or closeness. For instance, a presenter may use words such as “nearby” or “distant” to produce an impression of remoteness or proximity between the listeners and an individual concept or item.
This technique allows the speaker to emphasize certain ideas by drawing attention to their relative position in relation to the audience.
This can be used to create a sense of familiarity or unfamiliarity with a topic, depending on the context.
In addition, spatial words and references can be used to create a sense of unity or separation. For example, a speaker might use words like “together” or “apart” to create a sense of unity or separation between different groups or ideas. This can be used to create a sense of shared identity or to emphasize differences between groups.
Creating Vivid Images and Emotional Connection
Overall, the use of spatial words and references is a powerful tool in persuasion because it allows speakers to create vivid mental images in the minds of their audience.
These images can be used to make abstract concepts more concrete and relatable, and to create an emotional connection between the speaker and the audience’s emotions.
By using spatial words and references effectively, speakers can effectively influence the attitudes and behaviors of their audience.
Three Words Which Manipulate Space Persuasively
We are going to introduce now a category of words which deals with manipulating space, which is closely linked with time and can be used with temporal word patterns, by the way, to your advantage. The three words that represent this pattern are, ‘among’,‘expand’ and ‘beyond.’
Now spatial words are used to create some relationship between things. These could be thoughts, ideas, products, services, and other things.
These words evoke powerful imagery in the mind of the listener. You can’t help but make pictures when people start using these words. They force the issue. And they’re smooth. They’re effortless. They simply create magic in the minds of those that you’re doing them to.
Examples of the Persuasive Use of Spatial Words
Let me give you some examples.
“From among the positive thoughts that you’re already starting to realize you have about working with our firm, will come the most obvious yet overlooked reason to bring us on board now.”
Now, here’s the thing.
You don’t have to stop there and look at them with this big pregnant pause, waiting for them to jump down your throat and tell you how excited they are to work with you and beg you to please use your pen to sign the contract.
I mean, you can just look at them with kind of a knowing look and say, “So when that happens, you be sure and let me know.”
Or, “As that is happening now, let me continue to tell you about some of the really exciting things that I think you’ll focus on.”
And then go off into something that you think they might want to hear. What might that something be? Do I hear you already thinking their values? Absolutely! If you are thinking of their values, you’re right on track.
Now, as you read that sentence, I’m sure you also could read the plethora of additional presuppositions that I was using. Right? I hope so.
Do It Right and Do It Occasionally
So the strategy is effective when you do it right and occasionally. You can’t carpet bomb them with language patterns like this.
Okay. Here’s another sentence.
“To expand on your ever growing ideas that contain the essence of your good feeling regarding using this information powerfully, think of the money you’ll be making.”
Let me tear that apart. “To expand on your ever growing ideas . . .” Well, there are two spatial references in there. ‘Expand’ and ‘ever growing’. What are expanding and ever growing in the context?
This is a kind of rhetorical question, as the listener has to answer this for themselves in order to understand what is being said. It’s ideas. We’re expanding ever growing ideas. So we have ideas that are already ever growing and now we’re going to expand on those.
Suggesting to Them What It Is You Want Them to Think
So “To expand on these ever growing ideas that contain . . .” Now we’re going to tell them what the ideas themselves are going to contain (contain being a spatial reference). Well, isn’t that handy? I mean, you know, so here we can suggest to them what it is that we want them to think . . . so “that contain the essence of your good feeling.”
The essence of your good feeling. What in the heck is that? Well, it would be the good feeling encapsulated, I guess. Right?
But I mean, what’s the picture in your mind? “regarding using this information powerfully . . .” Finally we land.
This pattern forces the listener to ask rhetorical questions which are answered within the context of the statement, resulting in them building a vivid mental image from within their own mind, founded upon their personal experience, but shaped by your suggestions.
When you engage people emotionally in this way, it becomes much easier to persuade people.
Put the Descriptive Words First to Create Vivid Images
Remember my description, I think, in earlier articles where I talked about adverb/adjective patterns and descriptive language . . . maybe I said this there too. You put the words to describe the nouns first and the words that describe the verbs before the verbs.
In other words, the descriptive words first. So that way we don’t have the magician in black robes carrying the wand in his twinkle toe boots dancing around like an idiot, and you were starting off thinking he was a serious magician and all of the sudden he became a nonsensical figure.
And in so doing, placing the descriptive words last, I’m making your mind continually change the way you had the picture and that’s not good for persuasion. So the descriptive words absolutely must go first to maintain congruity.
Here, if I say to you, ‘The black robed, serious, wand carrying magician walked slowly into the room, or slowly walked into the room,’ you can’t land on anything until you hear magician and then all of the sudden it makes sense and the picture is complete.
So here I say, “to expand on your ever growing ideas . . .” and they’re thinking, “What ideas?” “that contain the essence of your good feeling . . .” So we’re expanding. I’m going to now expand on their ever growing ideas that contain the essence of their good feeling . . . about what?
“Regarding using this information powerfully.”
Oh. So all of the sudden, in order to understand ‘using this information’ and then ‘powerfully’, what do they have to do?
Well, they have to immediately have good feelings, and have a sense of that, that has ideas about it that are growing like mad that we’re all of the sudden expanding on.
In other words, they cannot defeat this language. They can’t do it. It’s too fast.
The only way they could possibly defeat it is if it was in a piece of persuasive writing and they could sit and study it.
Then, it’s possible that they could. But they’d have to really try. And they’d have to have training like this. And then, maybe, they would be able to but I can guarantee you it is the few of the few of the few that have this analysis capability.
