Ask yourself Quote by Paul Bloom
“When you start writing things to try to persuade someone who's not already part of your guild or your profession that something is interesting, it forces you to ask yourself, "Well, why is this interesting?"”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Art of Persuasion, 2019
Writing to persuade forces you to examine why a topic matters, sharpening clarity and relevance.
In simple terms: Persuasion requires questioning the interest of your subject.
Ask why your message matters before you share it.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- marketing
- teaching
- public speaking
- debate
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a topic truly interesting to an outsider?
- How can you balance analysis with timely persuasion?
The focus on self‑questioning may stall action if over‑analyzed.