Implications at Covert Metaphor

Tag:implication, presupposition

Captain Kidd I hear about using presuppositions in persuasion all the time. Implications are the same thing. You implicate that something is going to happen. “Have you ever done this before?” You haven’t done it yet, but you’re implying they’re definitely going to do it. Isn’t it amazing how the subtletly of one word can shift the whole context? That’s why this is sometimes referred to as contextual cues.

When you use contextual cues you are always implying that they’re going do absolutely do it. There is no doubt about it. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed how much money people make with this system. It can be overwhelming, so I don’t want you to jump into this too quickly.”

There are so many implications being made here. We’re implying that there are already people making a lot of money with this system, whatever this system is we’re selling in this example. Then were permissive. We validate. It can be, but it isn’t up to us to decide if it will be overwhelming for them, right? And so we warn them not to jump in too quickly, but we’re presuming that they’re definitely going to follow.

I may have already wrote about Illusion of Choice, but it’s worth repeating here. It fits in so well with implications. You hear this all the time at home or at work. “Do you want to take out the trash or do the dishes?” Both chores need to get done. Of course you may not want to do either, but you’re not given that choice. Let’s go back to the system example.

“Do you feel more comfortable with the entry level system or can you handle the power of the deluxe system?” Oh, I can handle the power for sure. Are you kidding me?

So you can imply something happened, something is happening, or something already happened. And are they aware of the situation? “Perhaps you are aware of how quickly and easily you can start generating a hefty income with this system tomorrow.” Yeah, perhaps they are, I don’t know. That’s for them to decide, but I presume they can start and imply it will happen in the near future.

implication presupposition