BObo
New member
I'm a master's student in environmental science, and last semester I had the most challenging writing assignment of my entire life. We had to write a persuasive piece aimed at an audience that DISAGREES with our position on climate change. Not people who are neutral. Not people who agree. Actual skeptics. 
At first I was furious. I thought "Why would I waste my time trying to convince people who don't believe in science? They're hopeless!" But honestly? That assignment changed how I think about persuasive writing forever.
Here's what I learned about persuading people who disagree with you:
1. Don't call them stupid.
Even if you think it. My first draft was basically "here's the data, you're wrong, deal with it." My professor wrote "Does this make you want to agree?" in the margins. Point taken.
2. Find COMMON values, not common facts.
Climate deniers don't care about polar bears? Fine. But they probably DO care about saving money, American jobs, or not wasting resources. So I reframed my argument around economic efficiency and energy independence. Same solution, different values.
3. Use THEIR sources when possible.
I found conservative economists who support renewable energy. I quoted military leaders concerned about climate security. When your evidence comes from "their team," it's way harder to dismiss.
4. Acknowledge where they're right.
"Yes, some early predictions were overblown. Yes, solar panels require resources to manufacture. But here's why the overall picture still demands action." When you concede small points, you build trust for the big ones.
5. Plant seeds, don't demand conversions.
My goal wasn't to make someone go from skeptic to activist overnight. It was to make them think "hmm, maybe there's more to this than I thought." Small shifts add up.
My final paper? I got an A, but more importantly, I had multiple classmates from conservative backgrounds tell me "this actually made me think." That felt better than any grade.
Has anyone else had to persuade a genuinely hostile audience? How did you handle it? I'm still learning!
At first I was furious. I thought "Why would I waste my time trying to convince people who don't believe in science? They're hopeless!" But honestly? That assignment changed how I think about persuasive writing forever.
Here's what I learned about persuading people who disagree with you:
1. Don't call them stupid.
Even if you think it. My first draft was basically "here's the data, you're wrong, deal with it." My professor wrote "Does this make you want to agree?" in the margins. Point taken.2. Find COMMON values, not common facts.
Climate deniers don't care about polar bears? Fine. But they probably DO care about saving money, American jobs, or not wasting resources. So I reframed my argument around economic efficiency and energy independence. Same solution, different values.3. Use THEIR sources when possible.
I found conservative economists who support renewable energy. I quoted military leaders concerned about climate security. When your evidence comes from "their team," it's way harder to dismiss.4. Acknowledge where they're right.
"Yes, some early predictions were overblown. Yes, solar panels require resources to manufacture. But here's why the overall picture still demands action." When you concede small points, you build trust for the big ones.5. Plant seeds, don't demand conversions.
My goal wasn't to make someone go from skeptic to activist overnight. It was to make them think "hmm, maybe there's more to this than I thought." Small shifts add up.My final paper? I got an A, but more importantly, I had multiple classmates from conservative backgrounds tell me "this actually made me think." That felt better than any grade.
Has anyone else had to persuade a genuinely hostile audience? How did you handle it? I'm still learning!