Do the preparation exercise first. Then watch the video and do the exercises to check your understanding and practise the language.
Transcript
Ana: Hi! I'm Ana. Welcome to What to Say!
Do you know what to say when you want to persuade someone to do something? Listen out for useful language for persuading someone to do something. Then, we'll practise saying the new phrases – after this.
Paul: OK. Yeah, all right. I'll send them over tomorrow. OK, yep, bye. People are always asking for favours. Paul, can you do this? Paul, can you do that?
Noelia: Hey, Paul, have you got a minute?
Paul: Go on, then.
Noelia: I've got a small favour to ask you.
Paul: Right.
Noelia: So … how would you feel about DJing at the office party next week?
Paul: Office party? I don't usually do work parties.
Noelia: Oh, right. So where do you usually DJ then?
Paul: No, I mean I don't usually go to work parties, let alone DJ at them.
Noelia: Come on, I think you'd be brilliant at it!
Paul: Oh, I don't know …
Noelia: Look, I wouldn't usually ask, but you are the only DJ I know.
Paul: I'm not a very good one though. My music taste is … quite strange. Everyone will probably hate it.
Noelia: Come on! These guys will dance to anything when they are at a party! Why don't you give it a go? You'll be great!
Paul: Urgh … I think I'm probably busy that day anyway.
Noelia: Come on! There's nothing to lose!
Paul: Except my reputation and credibility …
Noelia: Paul, you'd really be helping me out.
Paul: OK, I'll think about it.
Noelia: Great! Thanks, Paul!
Ana: Hello again! It's very difficult to say no to Noelia! So, did you notice the useful phrases used for persuading someone to do something? Listen to me and then repeat.
I've got a small favour to ask you.
How would you feel about DJing?
You'd be brilliant at it.
I wouldn't usually ask, but you're the only DJ I know.
Why don't you give it a go?
There's nothing to lose.
You'd really be helping me out.
OK, I'll think about it.
Ana: Try and use some of these phrases the next time you want to persuade someone to do something in English. Bye for now!
I think that persuading people is not inherently wrong, but you should always stop if the other person doesn't feel at ease. For example, in the video, Noelia keeps insisting on Paul DJing something for her, despite him telling her "No" multiple times.
So you should stop the first time the other person says "No".
I think to persude someone about something depeds considerably on the realtionship between you and the other person.
I think as long as you ask a favor with a sincere attitude, other people would be willing to help you.
I think so I am a good persuading person.
Persuading someone is very difficult act. Indeed, it needs a great talent.
Persuading is an art. I'm not an artist.
Noelia is that person you feel afraid, because you think she’ll write your name on her “death” little book if you don’t help her XD
I don't think it's a good idea to try to persuade someone to do something if they don't really want to. If they're genuinely interested, they'll do it on their own. Personally I really dislike being forced into doing something I don't want to do, so this is why I try to avoid the situation where I have to persuade someone.
I am not good at persuading someone to do something.
When I know someone very well and I know he will be good at something I will do my best to persuading him to do this thing. I can show him the advantage of the job and explain his strength points and how he can use it well. At the end I'm sure he will be confident and say ok.