WORDS THAT WORK

Name: WORDS THAT WORK
ISBN: 9781401385743

by Frank I. Luntz · first published 2007

11mentions

9recommended by

9HN commenters

2009–2026first – last mentioned

100% recommend

Why HN recommends it

A practical guide to word choice and how audiences interpret language, useful for anyone who writes or speaks to persuade. Its examples show how wording gets misread or misquoted.

Summarised by Claude from recommending comments

Writing & Language Politics & Society

This New York Times Bestseller is now revised and updated with a new chapter featuring the new words of a new president. Why are some people so much better than others at talking their way into a job or out of trouble? What’s behind winning campaign slogans and career-ending political blunders? Why do some product ads connect emotionally and others fail miserably? Why do some speeches resonate and endure while others are forgotten moments after they are given? In Words That Work, Dr. Frank Luntz, language architect and public opinion guru, not only raises the curtain on the craft of effective

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What Hacker News says

d_r · Dec 8, 2011 · Recommends

FWIW, if you're interested in how misquotes happen, I highly recommend grabbing "Words that Work" by Frank Luntz [1]. Luntz analyzes extensively how companies and politicians we know regularly get misquoted/misinterpreted due to an unfortunate/awkward choice of words, negligence of the transcribers,…
on “What Eric Schmidt actually said” ↗
spacevader · Jul 14, 2018 · Recommends

…psychology, politics and persuasion I recommend: Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss The Political Brain by Drew Weston Influence by Robert Cialdini Words That Work by Frank Luntz Pre-Suasion by Robert Cialdini Win Bigly by Scott Adams Radical Honesty by Brad Blanton I just bought this book but haven’t yet read it - Radical Candor by Kim Scott My recommendation…
on “Ask HN: How to find an effective career coach?” ↗
marcamillion · Oct 12, 2009 · Recommends

Words that work: It's not what you say...it's what they hear - by Frank Luntz (awesome book about the power of language and linguistics - a must read for anyone that wants to know the power of communicating) Predictably…
on “Ask HN: Please name two of your most favorite books.” ↗
modells · Aug 2, 2018 · Recommends

Absolutely. Nonverbals likely bypass the rational forebrain and skip to the primitive reptilian parts of the brain that create emotions, judgements and snap decisions. Some relevant books: Words That Work: It’s Not What You Say, It’s What People Hear Blink (looks almost like Freakonomics)
on “To Persuade Someone, Look Emotional” ↗
big_chungus · Feb 18, 2020 · Recommends

…everyone's forced to exercise those "rights". You didn't give any argument of your own, though, nor did you answer my question, you just said "that's emotional reasoning." P.S. I've read Mr. Luntz' book, "Words that Work". I don't agree with him, but he's good at what he does, and it's worth reading. How you present things is just as important as what you present.
on “Kickstarter employees vote to unionize” ↗
chiefalchemist · Feb 26, 2022 · Recommends

…humor can easily be misinterpreted. 3) along the same lines, it's likely not everyone reading will be of the same native language and/or culture. Humor will likely marginalize them. 4) Frank Luntz "Words That Work". Chapter 1 is comms evergreen gold. https://www.amazon.com/Words-That-Work-What-People/dp/140130...
on “Is Grammarly a keylogger? What can you do about it?” ↗
chiefalchemist · Oct 28, 2022 · Recommends

…Brevity". As a solution, it's not a panacea for all use cases. Still, it's a quick and useful read. Simple but effective. https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/smart-brevity-write-less-say-m... I'd also recommend "Words That Work" by Frank Luntz. Chapter 1 is all you need. The rest is simply the lessons from Chapter 1 in practice. https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/words-that-work-its-not-what-y...
on “How to communicate effectively as a developer” ↗
james_s_tayler · Jan 7, 2019 · Recommends

…Elephant In The Brain Predictably Irrational Poltics: The Righteous Mind The Political Mind Chimpanzee Politics In Defense of Troublemakers A General Theory of Bureaucracy Communications: Words That Work Shortcut Surfaces & Essences Metaphors We Live By On Controversy Tempo: Timing, Tactics and Strategy in Narrative-Driven Decision Making
on “Empathy and Failures of Democracies” ↗
rubinelli · Jun 25, 2009 · Recommends

…has the answer to your question: people can't be outraged at an issue they don't understand. How many people in your family will have an opinion on whether the Fed should buy treasuries? The book is "Words that Work:It's Not What You Say, It's What People Hear," in case you are interested. Democrats may be too distracted by his right-wing bias to enjoy the book, but it includes great case studies.
carvink · Jul 23, 2019 · Recommends

It does take some practice, and best not to overuse it. The book 'Words That Work In Business" by Ike Lasater is a very good guide to NVC in the business world.
on “Ask HN: What people skills do you wish you learned earlier in your career?” ↗
chiefalchemist · Jan 15, 2026 · Recommends

…and be accountable, especially then assumption communication is a viable shortcut. * Note: I'm not a fan of his politics, and perhaps he's not The Source of this heuristic, but read it first in his "Words That Work". The first chapter of "WTW" is evergreen comms gold.
on “A letter to those who fired tech writers because of AI” ↗