Before you touch that keyboard, ask yourself whether your reader is sympathetic or hostile to your message. And then apply this simple persuasive strategy:

When writing to a sympathetic reader, take a direct approach: recommendation first, then reasons. When writing to a hostile reader, take an indirect approach: reasons first, then recommendation.

By "indirect," I don't mean noncommittal, equivocal or wishy-washy. As a persuasive strategy, "indirect" refers to the ordering or structure of your argument. A direct approach with a sympathetic reader assumes the reader is open to your conclusion, so you should offer it directly. An indirect approach with a hostile reader assumes the reader must be prepared for your conclusion, so you should delay it.

For example, which of the two approaches below do you think is direct? Which is indirect?

1. For our next book, let's read Maeve Binchy's "A Week in Winter." After Kevin Power's "The Yellow Birds," which was beautifully written but painful to read, our book club could use some light reading, something fun that keeps us turning the pages.

2. For our next book, how about some light reading, something fun that keeps us turning the pages? After Kevin Power's "The Yellow Birds," which was beautifully written but painful to read, our book club could use something easy. I recommend Maeve Binchy's "A Week in Winter."

If you said example 1 was direct and example 2 was indirect, you were right.

For practice in structuring your argument according to your reader's openness to your message, rearrange the order of the following sentences, changing the direct approach to an indirect approach. Your reordered argument will require some minor revisions in wording.

"There's only one way to block Obamacare: Attach an amendment to defund it to the continuing resolution. The burden of this disastrous legislation will undermine our nation's economic recovery."

Here's an indirect version of that argument:

"The burden of Obamacare will undermine our nation's economic recovery. There's only one way to block this disastrous legislation: Attach an amendment to defund it to the continuing resolution."

One more example.

If you wanted to ask someone out but you weren't certain whether that person was interested in you (or sympathetic to your request), which of the following persuasive strategies would be more likely to succeed?

1. I have two tickets to a Brandi Carlile concert. Should be a fun evening. Would you like to come with me?

2. Would you like to go out with me tonight? I have two tickets to a Brandi Carlile concert. Should be a fun evening.

If you said version 1, you were right. The indirect approach would be better.

If you live in Minnesota, however, you might alter the wording from "Would you like to come with me?" to "Would you like to come with?"

Either way, if you think your reader is sympathetic to your message, offer your recommendation first, then your reasons. If you think your reader is hostile, offer your reasons first, then your recommendation.

Stephen Wilbers offers training seminars in effective business writing. E-mail him at wilbe004@umn.edu. His website is www.wilbers.com.