a compelling premise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a compelling premise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the foundational idea or concept of a story, argument, or project that is engaging and persuasive. Example: "The film's success can be attributed to its a compelling premise that captivated audiences from the start."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In Kant's conception, an argument of this kind begins with a compelling premise about our thought, experience, or knowledge, and then reasons to a conclusion that is a substantive and unobvious presupposition and necessary condition of this premise.

SEP

It has a compelling premise, it weaves a distinctive tapestry of betrayal and loyalty and it offers its star, Tatiana Maslany, quite a few chances to prove her impressive versatility.

Huffington Post

As a lifelong fan drawn to the Star Trek franchise for its diverse casts, I am thrilled to see as the lead a woman of color with a mysterious backstory (how is she related to Spock?), and a compelling premise (mutineer-turned-savior).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

When the narrative is set up the way it is here, that's a big problem, and in this case it becomes an insurmountable one -- even with a potentially compelling premise.

Huffington Post

With a simple, compelling premise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Speaking of cheap films that opened just OK, Richard Kelly's incomprehensible The Box rode a solid trailer and a simple and compelling premise to a $7.5 million opening weekend.

Huffington Post

It was sold to us on a simple and compelling premise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Indeed, the lower one makes f2 (or more generally, some highly dispreferred outcome), the less compelling premise 3 seems; and the lower one makes the probability of salvation (or more generally, of some highly desired outcome), the less compelling premise 3 seems.

SEP

Rawson-Jones felt that Moran's script took "too long to actively engage the viewer and tap into the compelling premise of the time travellers arriving in the doomed city shortly before 'volcano day'".

Wikipedia

Gass, who is 91, has been earning the esteem of the literati for decades with his mindbending, finely crafted fiction; in his new collection, short story lovers will find both mesmerizing prose and absurd, compelling premises, such as an interview with the piano used on set in the filming of "Casablanca".

Huffington Post

One of my duties as a storyteller is to come up with fresh and compelling premises.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In storytelling, build your narrative in a way that naturally stems from and reinforces "a compelling premise", creating a cohesive and engaging experience.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the compelling nature of the premise. If the rest of the work doesn't live up to the promise, it can lead to disappointment and weaken the overall impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a compelling premise" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'compelling' modifies 'premise'. Ludwig AI indicates that this construction is grammatically correct and serves to describe a foundational idea as persuasive and engaging. This is supported by examples where it introduces or highlights the central concept of a story, argument, or project.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a compelling premise" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase for describing an engaging and persuasive starting point for an argument, story, or project. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not overly common, it appears across diverse contexts like News & Media and Science. To enhance writing, ensure the premise is clearly articulated and resonates with the audience. Alternatives include "a persuasive foundation" or "a captivating concept". Remember to avoid exaggerating the premise to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a persuasive foundation

This alternative emphasizes the convincing nature of the basis for an argument or story.

a captivating concept

This option highlights the engaging and intriguing aspect of the central idea.

an engaging proposition

This phrase underscores the attractive and interesting quality of the initial statement.

a gripping starting point

This alternative suggests the premise immediately seizes attention and holds interest.

a convincing argument

This choice focuses on the persuasive power of the initial assertion.

a fascinating basis

This highlights the intrigue and interest generated by the underlying idea.

an irresistible concept

This implies the premise is so appealing it's difficult to reject.

a powerful assumption

This emphasizes the strength and influence of the underlying belief.

an attractive proposal

This suggests the premise is pleasing and desirable.

a noteworthy idea

This option simply indicates the premise is significant and worth considering.

FAQs

How can I use "a compelling premise" in a sentence?

You can use "a compelling premise" to describe a captivating foundation of a story, argument, or idea. For example, "The success of the novel hinged on "a compelling premise" that explored the nature of reality."

What makes a premise "compelling"?

A premise is considered "compelling" when it is engaging, thought-provoking, and creates a strong desire in the audience to know more. It often involves a unique idea or a fresh perspective on a familiar topic.

What are some alternatives to using "a compelling premise"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a persuasive foundation", "a captivating concept", or "an engaging proposition".

Is "compelling premise" only used in the context of storytelling?

While often used in storytelling to describe the core idea of a narrative, "compelling premise" can also apply to arguments, business plans, or any situation where a strong, persuasive starting point is needed. The focus is on having an initial idea that captures attention and generates interest.