Ordinal NumbersThe use of ordinal numbers is a presuppositional language pattern. You can link statements together by using some form of numbering such as , ‘firstly…. Secondly…… thirdly…..’ Again this invokes credibility by association where, for example, the first two statements can be verifiable and the third is a suggestion of a statement you want the patient to accept. This form is especially popular in political speeches where one of the statements will be rather dubious and is either intended to be accepted by association or glossed over quickly. An interesting extension to this technique allows you to state up front the number of points you want to make and then deliberately make a fewer or greater number of statements. This throws the mind into a slight confusion and a state of confusion (the mind is doing a lot of internal processing) is a good state in which to deliver therapeutic suggestions.
|
