Inform vs. Persuade — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 22, 2024
Informing provides facts and information, while persuading aims to influence opinions or actions.
Difference Between Inform and Persuade
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Informing involves presenting facts, data, or knowledge to increase awareness or understanding without any intention of influencing the listener's opinion or action. It's crucial in educational contexts, journalism, and daily communication where clarity and accuracy are paramount. Persuading, on the other hand, goes beyond merely presenting information; it involves techniques designed to influence someone's beliefs, attitudes, or actions. Persuasion is often used in advertising, political campaigns, and personal discussions where the goal is to convince others to adopt a particular viewpoint or undertake a specific action.
While informing is rooted in objectivity, aiming to present information as neutrally as possible, persuading is inherently subjective, often involving selective presentation of facts, emotional appeals, or logical arguments designed to shape the audience's perspective. Informative communication focuses on the transmission of knowledge and facts, whereas persuasive communication seeks to affect the audience's internal decision-making processes, guiding them toward a desired conclusion or action.
In some contexts, informing and persuading can overlap; for example, a public health campaign might start by informing the public about the risks of a certain behavior and then persuade them to change that behavior. However, even in such cases, the distinction remains clear: informing seeks to enhance understanding, while persuading aims to elicit change.
Despite their differences, both informing and persuading rely on effective communication skills. The ability to clearly present information is fundamental to informing, whereas understanding the audience's values, emotions, and beliefs is crucial for effective persuasion. In practice, skilled communicators often navigate between informing and persuading, depending on their objectives and the context of the communication.
Comparison Chart
Primary Goal
To increase knowledge or understanding.
To influence opinions or actions.
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Nature
Objective and neutral.
Subjective and biased towards a desired outcome.
Techniques
Presentation of facts, data, explanations.
Argumentation, emotional appeals, rhetorical strategies.
Measurement of Success
Clarity and comprehension of the information presented.
Change in beliefs, attitudes, or actions.
Contexts
Educational content, news reporting, instructions.
Advertising, political campaigns, debates.
Compare with Definitions
Inform
Informing is about transferring knowledge or information.
Documentaries inform viewers about historical events or scientific facts.
Persuade
Persuading aims to influence opinions or decisions.
Political speeches persuade voters to support a candidate or policy.
Inform
Information is presented objectively, without persuasion.
Academic papers inform readers about research findings without persuading.
Persuade
Often uses emotional appeals to sway opinions.
Charity ads persuade by highlighting emotional stories to encourage donations.
Inform
It relies on presenting facts and evidence.
A news report informs the public about the day's events without bias.
Persuade
Persuasive communication often engages the audience's values and beliefs.
Environmental campaigns persuade by aligning with the audience's values on nature conservation.
Inform
Informing enables informed decision-making.
Market analyses inform investors about potential risks and opportunities.
Persuade
May present information selectively to support an argument.
Sales pitches persuade by highlighting the benefits of a product, often omitting drawbacks.
Inform
The aim is to enhance the audience's understanding.
Instruction manuals inform users on how to operate a device.
Persuade
The goal is often to change behavior or actions.
Public service announcements persuade people to adopt healthier lifestyles.
Inform
Inform is a programming language and design system for interactive fiction originally created in 1993 by Graham Nelson. Inform can generate programs designed for the Z-code or Glulx virtual machines.
Persuade
Induce (someone) to do something through reasoning or argument
It wasn't easy, but I persuaded him to do the right thing
Inform
To impart information to; make aware of something
We were informed by mail of the change in plans. The nurse informed me that visiting hours were over.
Persuade
To cause (someone) to accept a point of view or to undertake a course of action by means of argument, reasoning, or entreaty
"to make children fit to live in a society by persuading them to learn and accept its codes" (Alan W. Watts). See Usage Note at convince.
Inform
To acquaint (oneself) with knowledge of a subject.
Persuade
(transitive) To successfully convince (someone) to agree to, accept, or do something, usually through reasoning and verbal influence.
That salesman was able to persuade me into buying this bottle of lotion.
Inform
To give form or character to; imbue with a quality or an essence
"A society's strength is measured by ... its ability to inform a future generation with its moral standards" (Vanity Fair).
Persuade
To convince of by argument, or by reasons offered or suggested from reflection, etc.; to cause to believe (something).
Inform
To be a formative or characterizing presence in; animate
"It is this brash, backroom sensibility that informs his work as a novelist" (Jeff Shear).
Persuade
To urge, plead; to try to convince (someone to do something).
Inform
(Obsolete) To form (the mind or character) by teaching or training.
Persuade
To influence or gain over by argument, advice, entreaty, expostulation, etc.; to draw or incline to a determination by presenting sufficient motives.
Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
We will persuade him, be it possible.
Inform
To give or provide information.
Persuade
To try to influence.
Hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you.
Inform
To disclose confidential or incriminating information to an authority
The defendant informed against the other members of the ring.
Persuade
To convince by argument, or by reasons offered or suggested from reflection, etc.; to cause to believe.
Beloved, we are persuaded better things of you.
Inform
To instruct, train (usually in matters of knowledge).
Persuade
To inculcate by argument or expostulation; to advise; to recommend.
Inform
(transitive) To communicate knowledge to.
Persuade
To use persuasion; to plead; to prevail by persuasion.
Inform
(intransitive) To impart information or knowledge.
Persuade
Persuasion.
Inform
To act as an informer; denounce.
Persuade
Win approval or support for;
Carry all before one
His speech did not sway the voters
Inform
(transitive) To give form or character to; to inspire (with a given quality); to affect, influence (with a pervading principle, idea etc.).
His sense of religion informs everything he writes.
Persuade
Cause somebody to adopt a certain position, belief, or course of action; twist somebody's arm;
You can't persuade me to buy this ugly vase!
Inform
To make known, wisely and/or knowledgeably.
Inform
To direct, guide.
Inform
To take form; to become visible or manifest; to appear.
Inform
Without regular form; shapeless; ugly; deformed.
Inform
Without regular form; shapeless; ugly; deformed.
Inform
To give form or share to; to give vital or organizing power to; to give life to; to imbue and actuate with vitality; to animate; to mold; to figure; to fashion.
Let others better mold the running massOf metals, and inform the breathing brass.
Breath informs this fleeting frame.
Breathes in our soul, informs our mortal part.
Inform
To communicate knowledge to; to make known to; to acquaint; to advise; to instruct; to tell; to notify; to enlighten; - usually followed by of.
For he would learn their business secretly,And then inform his master hastily.
I am informed thoroughly of the cause.
Inform
To communicate a knowledge of facts to, by way of accusation; to warn against anybody.
Tertullus . . . informed the governor against Paul.
Inform
To give intelligence or information; to tell.
He might either teach in the same manner, or inform how he had been taught.
Inform
Impart knowledge of some fact, state or affairs, or event to;
I informed him of his rights
Inform
Give character or essence to;
The principles that inform modern teaching
Inform
Act as an informer;
She had informed on her own parents for years
Common Curiosities
What is crucial for effective informing?
Clarity, accuracy, and comprehensiveness of the presented information are crucial for effective informing.
Can informing and persuading be part of the same message?
Yes, a message can start by informing to build understanding and then persuade to influence opinions or actions.
What defines informing in communication?
Informing in communication is defined by the objective presentation of facts and information to increase knowledge or understanding.
How does persuasion differ from mere information delivery?
Persuasion differs by aiming to influence opinions or actions through argumentation, emotional appeals, and selective presentation of information.
How does an advertisement typically use persuasion?
Advertisements use persuasion by appealing to emotions, highlighting benefits, and often creating a sense of urgency or need.
Why is understanding the audience important in persuasion?
Understanding the audience's values, emotions, and beliefs is vital for tailoring persuasive messages that resonate with them.
What role does evidence play in informing vs. persuading?
In informing, evidence is used to support factual accuracy, while in persuading, it's often used selectively to support a specific viewpoint.
What is a common challenge in informative communication?
A common challenge is ensuring the information is accessible and understandable to the audience, avoiding technical jargon or complexity.
How does the context influence informing and persuading?
The context, including the audience's prior knowledge and the communication medium, significantly influences how information and persuasion are perceived and received.
Can persuasion be ethical?
Yes, ethical persuasion respects the audience's autonomy and is transparent about intentions, avoiding manipulation.
Is it possible to inform without intending to persuade?
Yes, it is possible to purely inform by presenting facts neutrally without trying to influence the audience's opinions or actions.
What is the role of feedback in informing and persuading?
Feedback helps the communicator understand the audience's comprehension and reception, allowing for adjustments to improve clarity or persuasive impact.
How do cultural factors affect persuasion?
Cultural factors influence persuasion by shaping the audience's values, beliefs, and communication styles, affecting how persuasive messages are crafted and received.
How do emotional appeals work in persuasion?
Emotional appeals work by connecting the message with the audience's feelings, making the message more relatable and compelling.
What makes a persuasive argument effective?
An effective persuasive argument is logical, resonates with the audience's values, and is presented in a compelling manner.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
