# Persuasive Writing

> Persuasive Writing

- Skill: `sethdford/persuasive-writing` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add sethdford/persuasive-writing`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/sethdford/persuasive-writing/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: sethdford (https://skillmd.com/u/sethdford)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/sethdford/persuasive-writing

---

# Persuasive Writing

Shape prose so a specific audience updates beliefs and acts. Balance **ethos** (credibility), **pathos** (stakes), and **logos** (reason and evidence); every paragraph must pass the **“So what?”** test.

## When to Use
- Pitches, memos, proposals, changelogs users must adopt, advocacy, or any piece meant to change behavior—not mere documentation.

## Workflow
1. **Audience & belief:** Who reads this, what do they believe today, what would change their mind?
2. **Outcome:** One concrete action or decision you want after the last line.
3. **Strategy:** Pick emphasis (trust, urgency, logic) and an arc—often **AIDA**: Attention → Interest → Desire → Action.
4. **Draft:** **One idea per paragraph**; **lead with the strongest point**; concrete evidence over abstract claims.
5. **Anticipate objections** and address them; run **“So what?”** on each paragraph.
6. **Sharpen the CTA:** single, specific next step.

## Examples
**Example 1:** Internal rollout memo → open with user-visible win, cite one metric + risk mitigated, CTA: “Enable by Friday; reply with blockers.”

**Example 2:** Skeptical exec → lead with decision they care about, pre-empt “cost/schedule” objection with bounded scope and exit criteria.