HOW TO BEWITCH YOUR READER WITH POWER WORDS
Christophe used power words to scare the hell out of us.
I was around 10 years old when I heard, outside, someone in a fury; discreetly peeking through the window, I saw Christophe making his show. A skinny kid in a bony frame about my age. Christophe was the terror of the neighborhood.
This day, in front of the porch of my house, David, twice the size of Christophe, was in despair. He stood still, not from courage but from terror-stricken. David didn’t dare move, not even flinch.
Christophe had won this fight without a fight.
He had a knack for conjuring up physical pain and instilling fear in our minds simply by using words. His verbal threats were terrifying. The phrasing of his sentences and his choice of words would have made Hannibal Lecter pale. He was an actor with the perfect script.
How did Christophe spread all that fear using only words? What was his secret?
He knew how to smash with his words, which was always astonishing.
This article discusses:
Use Power Words to conjure up emotion in your reader
Power words are magic words. Power words create a peak emotional state that breeds curiosity.
How does that work in your text, article, or mini-story?
First, catch your readers’ attention emotionally with your title, embedded with one or two powerful words, which will arouse their curiosity.
Second, keep their curiosity running by sowing other power words throughout your text.
Third, watch them devour your text, from one emotional peak to another, until the end.
Emotion is the key because humans work only through emotions; there is nothing else. If you know how to evoke emotion in people, you can make them do anything you want. That’s how marketing, media, politics, scammers, storytellers, and Christophe work.
What are Power Words?
Power words (also named powerful, strong, muscular, action, vivid, active, or persuasive words) are verbs, nouns, adjectives, or adverbs with a strong meaning. They are evocative; they arouse emotion and curiosity. Powerful words communicate and describe an action precisely.
These strong words grab the reader’s attention, ignite their imagination, and prompt them to visualize vividly. The reader is emotionally invested in your writing and then, wants to know more about it.
Powerful Words evoke EMOTION, and that is the most important.
Thus, using power words can stimulate desire, create urgency, inspire confidence, or evoke fear, anger, sadness, etc. They can push the readers to act by sharing, commenting, signing in, following, or buying your content.
Whether you want to stick your readers to your text and not lose them through another occupation, you must use those powerful words.
Where can I use Power Words?
Use them in situations:
Powerful words are used in any situation that demands persuasion and engagement.
Everyone uses power words: politics, media, storytellers, marketers, advertisers, sellers, bloggers, and you in your everyday communication.
They are used in various contexts, such as social media, professional applications, resumes, stories, personal development, magazines, or newspapers.
Use them in sentences:
– Use power words at the beginning of sentences to immediately capture the reader’s attention and interest, and encourage them to continue the reading.
Example: “A scrawny kid in a bony frame about my age, Christophe was the little terror in the neighborhood.“
– Use them at the end of a sentence, to reinforce the idea of this sentence and to make your message more memorable, by leaving the reader with a powerful image, idea, or strong impression.
Example: “His verbal threats were terrifying.”
– Use power words within sentences before introducing an idea; they will highlight it, and reinforce the impact of the message. Powerful words add depth and emotion to the sentence.
Example: “He had a knack for conjuring up physical pain and instilling fear in us, simply by using words.“
Where should I NOT use strong words?
Being words that evoke strong emotions, you won’t use them in situations that demand temperance, empathy, and emotional balance. In topics such as trauma, illness, grief, or counseling, you want to choose respectful and sensitive words, to avoid any emotional stress to your interlocutor.
You won’t use them in a context such as academic, legal, technical, or official writing that needs an objective point of view with no side taken. These contents must contain no confusion or misinterpretation about the legal validity of the information provided.
You won’t use them in crises or emergency communications such as natural disasters, public safety incidents, or medical emergencies, where we don’t want to exacerbate panic or anxiety but, on the contrary, maintain calm.
A list by categories
Thousands of words can be considered power words. You probably know most of them already, but there are too many to enumerate them all.
You can easily find plenty of examples of power words by asking your favorite ChatBot directly or using a synonym dictionary.
Here is a list by category to give you an idea. You can refer to this list based on the intended purpose: if you like to evoke joy, fear, or sadness. Create a sense of urgency, authority, or curiosity. Or to describe something or someone with intensity by using Sensory Words.
Here are some examples of power words organized by categories:
EMOTIONAL: Words that evoke strong emotions such as joy, sadness, fear, anger, excitement, or desire.
- Joy:
Love, loveable
Joy, joyful, to enjoy
Tender, tenderness
Devotion, devoted
Nurturing, to nurture
Bliss, blissful
Seduction, seductive
To cherish
Luck, lucky
Ecstatic
Triumph, triumphant
Glorious
Jubilant
- Sadness:
Tearful
Heartbroken
Grief-stricken
Weepy
Teary-eyed
Sobbing, to sob
Troubled, trouble
Lovesick
Austerity
Hostile
Resentful
Envy, envious
Shame
- Fear:
Banned
Abuse, abusive
Steal, plunder
Pussyfoot
Anxiety, anxious
Despair
Freaking out
Horror
Sabotage
Failure, to fail
Miserable
Burning out
Threat
- Anger:
Rage, raging
Fury, furious
Hatred, to hate
Irritating
Annoying
Bitter
To sulk
Grumpy
Tantrum
Flare up
Hysterics
Panic
Ruthless
- Excitement:
Thrilling
Electrifying
Exhilarating
Enthralling
Riveting
Invigorating
Euphoric
Jubilant
Enchanting
Rousing
Stimulating
Uplifting
Intense
- Desir:
Crave
Longing
Yearning
Hunger
Thirst
Passion
Lust
Burning
Covet
Wanton
Urge
Itch
Zeal
- URGENCY: Words that evoke a sense of immediacy prompt action before it becomes too late.
Critical
Imperative
Vital
Paramount
Exigent
Compelling
Dire
Immediate
Urgent
Decisive
Momentous
Imminent
- EXCLUSIVITY: Words that suggest rarity, prestige, and uniqueness that increase the perceived value.
Rare
Limited
Unique
Exclusive
Premium
Elite
VIP
Reserved
Private
Customized
Prestigious
Confidential
- AUTHORITY: Words that convey expertise, credibility, leadership, trust, and confidence.
Trustworthy
Reliable, reliability
Faith, faithful
Admiration
Proven
Guaranteed
Scientific, science
Research-backed
Facts, factual
Absolutely
Authoritative, Authority
Saint
- CURIOSITY: Words that entice the audience to learn more, that pique interest and curiosity.
Fascinating
Intriguing
Mesmerizing
Captivating
Mystifying
Enticing
Challenging
Enthralling
Tempting
Enigmatic
Provocative
Eliciting
Bewitching
- BENEFIT-DRIVEN: Words that highlight the benefits and advantages.
Gainful
Asset
Plus
Strength
Superiority
Bonus
Rewarding
Valuable
Upside
Merit
Competitive
Improvement
Added value
Win-win
- ACTION ORIENTED: Words that encourage participation, engagement, action, and conversion.
Implement
Initiate
Ignite
Launch
Trigger
Enforce
Embark
Push
Inspire
Spark
Galvanize
Mobilize
Encourage
SAFETY: To make sure that a potential customer feels safe.
- Shielded
Sheltered
Armored
Lockdown
Sealed
- Walled
Barricaded
Monitored
Risk-free
Trustworthy
- Foolproof
Unbreakable
Sturdy
Resilient
SENSORY: Words that describe how we experience the world with our 5 senses.
- Sense of sight:
Dazzling
Eye-catching
Glow, glowing
Shadowing
Gloomy
Luminous
Radiant
Picturesque
Glittering
Enchanting
Gleam
Evanescent
- Sense of smell:
Flagrant
Musky
Redolent
Stinky
Yummy
Rotten
Aromatic
Pungent
Bitter
Stale
Musty
- Sense of hearing:
Melodic
Serene
Deafening
Buzz
Squeaky
Mellow
Whispering
Sizzling
Rustling
Purring
Hushed
Sibilant
Murmuring
- Sense of touch:
Soft
Caressing
Silken
Velvety
Smooth
Satin
Feather-light
Cushioned
Plush
Silky
Soothing
Padded
Downy
Barely-there
- Sense of taste:
Delicate
Subtle
Refined
Gourmet
Exquisite
Savory
Tantalizing
Delectable
Succulent
Flavorful
Scrumptious
Luscious
Mouthwatering
Velvety
How can I use Power Words?
By using them sparingly:
Because using them excessively can dilute their impact and even scare away your reader. And we don’t want that.
Also, there is no need to use elaborate or obscure words. Just look for precision and choose specific words to best describe the situation. Use common powerful words.
By incorporating them strategically:
- You ought to know what your specific objective is; telling a story, selling a product, mobilizing or inspiring people…
Which emotion do you want to conjure up? - Who is your audience: readers, consumers, followers, men, women, teenagers…?
You have to know your public. - What does your audience want? You have to empathize with your audience to understand what they’re looking for, what they like and dislike.
What do they need, and what are their preferences? - What problem your readers are struggling with?
And, how can your content or service help them?
How can I use Power Words in stories?
Using power words in storytelling enhances the emotional impact of your reader. By using specific words you help your reader envision your story, and empathize with your characters. You also can create a more intense and dramatic atmosphere.
But don’t think about them when you are in the flow of writing. The best time to concentrate on your word usage is when you finish your draft at the revising step.
For example, here is the first paragraph of my introduction story about Christophe.
The first version is my first draft without power words and the second revised with power words:
I was around 10 years old when I heard, outside, someone yelling; discreetly watching through the window, I saw Christophe making his show. A small kid about my age. Christophe was the troublemaker of the neighborhood.
This day, in front of the door of my house, David, twice the size of Christophe, was in trouble. He stood still, not from courage but from fear. David didn’t dare move, not even a gesture.
I was around 10 years old when I heard, outside, someone in a fury; discreetly peeking through the window, I saw Christophe making his show. A skinny kid in a bony frame about my age. Christophe was the terror of the neighborhood.
This day, in front of the porch of my house, David, twice the size of Christophe, was in despair. He stood still, not from courage but from terror-stricken. David didn’t dare move, not even flinch.
Overall, while both paragraphs convey similar events, the second paragraph creates a more intense and dramatic atmosphere, while the first paragraph presents the situation with slightly less intensity.
It also goog to know that the most important words are ‘Verbs’.
Verbs are the pivotal words in a story.
Using Strong Verbs helps you avoid redundancy in your sentences like when you combine a ‘weak’ verb + an adverb, trying to make a ‘strong’ impact.
For instance:
Weak verb + adverb | Strong verb |
---|---|
write poorly | scribble, scrawl, botch |
think deeply | contemplate, reflect, ponder |
run quickly | sprint, bolt, dash |
eat quickly | devour, gobble |
The case is the same when you use nouns + ‘weak’ adjectives; by choosing powerful nouns, we avoid the combination of nouns plus adjectives.
For instance:
Weak noun + adjective | Strong noun |
---|---|
bad weather | storm, hurricane, blizzard |
big house | mansion, estate, palace |
pretty dress | gown, ballgown, frock |
good meal | feast, banquet, orgy, repast |
Adverbs and adjectives should have their proper power in a sentence, independent of verbs and nouns.
Conclusion about Power Words
Using powerful words is essential to evoke emotion in your writing and bring energy, suspense, and enthusiasm. They are essential for engaging your readers in your story and capturing their attention and interest.
- Capture Attention: Powerful words grab the reader’s attention and draw them into your story right away.
- Evoke Emotions: Power words can evoke a wide range of emotions, from excitement and curiosity to fear and urgency, creating a strong emotional connection with your readers.
- Action-oriented: Power words inspire your audience to prompt action by instilling a feeling of urgency, highlighting benefits, and building trust.
- Benefit-driven: Strong words can make your arguments more persuasive by appealing to your audience’s emotions, values, and desires.
- Increase Engagement: By adding intrigue and intensity to your writing, powerful words make your message more engaging, memorable, and impactful.
- Enhance the pacing and rhythm of your story/article: by controlling its flow and pace, you will guide readers through the story and keep their interest from scene to scene. You will lead them through the narrative.
Be careful, although I said at the beginning of this article that these were ‘magic’ words, like all good things, they should be used sparingly. They’re not the only ingredient for successful writing. You may also want to learn about structure sentences or how to write with rhythm.
If overused, they can have the opposite effect: impact diminished, reader distracted, lack of subtility, your text will be tiresome and monotonous.
In conclusion, powerful words can be valuable assets when used thoughtfully and strategically to enhance your message, engage your audience, and make your readers dream.