Hey! Don’t Read My Mail: Persuasion in a letter

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By Joe Bouchard

Published: 12/29/2014

The following is an installment in "The Bouchard 101", a series featuring "Ice Breaker's" designed to promote training awareness and capabilities in the corrections industry.

Human nature pushes us to get what we want. It is as simple as that, no matter if one is behind the walls or on the streets. Is it manipulation or is it persuasion? It depends on the end of if one is on.

It can profit correction professionals to look at the eyes persuasion through the eyes of a child. Below is a letter which was modified from an actual note. This is from an 11 year old kid who is trying to persuade the mother not to take away a sleep over privilege.

Mom,
I am so sorry that my math grade dropped. I did my best. I was busy helping someone in science class. I am having a hard time in school because people keep calling me four eyes. I don’t like it. You are taking away the wrong thing from me for punishment. I would be hurt more if you took my TV. Also, Susie is moving away and we need a sleep over. I will never see her when she moves and she is the only friend who is nice to me. I am so sorry. Can you let that be my punishment? I will do dishes instead of no sleep overs. Circle yes or no if that is OK.
Yes
No
When you have time, come to my room and look at my foot. It has a blister and I am hurt. OWIE!
Love, your favorite Daughter, JENNY

Read this letter aloud to the class.
Divide the class in groups of three or four.
Give each team a copy of the letter.
Have them discuss persuasion/manipulation methods employed by the child in the letter.
One person in the group will write each tactic found.
One person will report out after the exercise has gone on for 10 minutes.

Here are some of the tactics used:

“I am sorry” – remorse
I was helping someone else – altruism, helpfulness, selflessness
“People keep calling me four eyes” – Elicit sympathy
“You are taking the wrong ting away from me to punish me” – diversion and feigned helpfulness
Susie is moving away and is the only one to understand me - Elicit sympathy
I will do dishes instead – helpful offering of alternative, doing chores as penance.
Yes or no – offering a “choice”
Owie! Blister – I am hurt, feel sorry for me.
Love, your favorite daughter – light humor and evoking feelings of love.

This is a perfect segue exercise for manipulation and the art of the con modules. Very early on, we find ways to sway the opinions and actions of others. This exercise helps us dissect ways that others try to do so to us.

This is a fantastic skill to have in the corrections profession.

Joe Bouchard is a Librarian employed with the Michigan Department of Corrections and a collaborator with The International Association of Correctional Training Personnel (IACTP). He is also the author of “IACTP’s Corrections Icebreakers: The Bouchard 101, 2014”. The installments in this series include his opinions. The agency for which he works is not in any way responsible for the content or accuracy of this material, and the views are those of the contributor and not necessarily those of the agency. While some material is influenced by other works, all of the icebreakers have been developed by Joe Bouchard.

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