Magic Words audiobook cover - What to Say to Get Your Way

Magic Words

What to Say to Get Your Way

Jonah Berger

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Categories:
Career & SuccessPsychologyCommunication Skills

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Key Takeaways from Magic Words

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Mind Map

Magic Words
Activate Identity+
Speak with Confidence+
Ask Good Questions+
Concreteness vs. Abstraction+
Leverage Emotion+
Blend In or Stick Out+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
According to the text, why is it more effective to say 'I don't eat chocolate cake' rather than 'I can't eat chocolate cake' when trying to change a habit?
  • A. 'Don't' activates a sense of identity and makes you feel empowered, whereas 'can't' suggests an outside force is preventing you.
  • B. 'Don't' is a more concrete term that helps visualize the goal, while 'can't' is too abstract.
  • C. 'Don't' creates an emotional rollercoaster effect, whereas 'can't' evokes a feeling of sadness.
  • D. 'Don't' signals to others that you are open to advice, whereas 'can't' shuts down the conversation.
Question 2 of 7
When speaking to someone who holds a drastically different opinion than your own, what linguistic strategy does the author recommend?
  • A. Use definite words like 'obviously' and 'clearly' to project unwavering confidence.
  • B. Express a little doubt or use hedges to prevent their anti-persuasion defense system from shutting down.
  • C. Switch entirely to abstract language so they cannot argue with your specific facts.
  • D. Speak strictly in the present tense to make your argument sound more permanent.
Question 3 of 7
How is asking someone for advice on a task generally perceived, contrary to popular belief?
  • A. It makes the person asking appear less competent and overly dependent.
  • B. It forces the other person to use abstract language, confusing the issue.
  • C. It makes the person asking seem more competent.
  • D. It decreases the likelihood of building a long-term connection.
Question 4 of 7
In which of the following scenarios would it be most advantageous to use abstract language rather than concrete language?
  • A. When working as a customer service representative trying to resolve a complaint.
  • B. When pitching a new startup idea to investors to highlight its potential for broad impact and growth.
  • C. When explaining a highly technical subject to someone with zero prior knowledge.
  • D. When asking a seller about potential flaws in a used item they are selling online.
Question 5 of 7
According to the analysis of Amazon reviews, for which type of product does using highly emotional language backfire and make the review seem less helpful?
  • A. Lifestyle products like music and movies.
  • B. Utilitarian products like dishwashers and tools.
  • C. Creative products like fiction books.
  • D. Experience-based purchases like restaurant reservations.
Question 6 of 7
What type of emotions are most effective at holding a reader's attention in an online article?
  • A. Emotions that provide a sense of absolute certainty, such as satisfaction.
  • B. Low-energy negative emotions, such as sadness or despair.
  • C. Purely positive emotions that avoid any negative feelings.
  • D. Emotions that involve a degree of uncertainty, such as anxiety, surprise, or hope.
Question 7 of 7
What did researchers discover about employees whose linguistic style closely matched that of their coworkers?
  • A. They were more likely to be viewed as unoriginal and overlooked for leadership roles.
  • B. They were three times more likely to be promoted.
  • C. They were four times more likely to be fired due to a lack of differentiation.
  • D. They tended to leave the company sooner to pursue creative endeavors.

Magic Words — Full Chapter Overview

Magic Words Summary & Overview

Magic Words (2023) teaches you how to use the power of language to achieve your goals. Want to win an argument, nail a job interview, or get your child to clean up after themselves? This guide reveals the magical yet scientifically proven words that may make all the difference.

Who Should Listen to Magic Words?

  • People interested in psychology and language
  • Anyone wondering which words to use to market themselves or their product
  • Anyone who wants to become better at (public) speaking

About the Author: Jonah Berger

Jonah Berger is a Wharton School professor and a world-renowned expert on natural language processing and consumer behavior. He’s the author of several other bestsellers, including Contagious: Why Things Catch On (2013) and The Catalyst: How to Change Anyone’s Mind (2020). He also consults for companies like Apple, Google, Nike, and Amazon. 

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