03/12/2026
Back in 2013, Jon Morrow published one of the first widely shared articles about “power words.”
Over the years, the concept spread everywhere. Today you’ll find countless lists across the internet.
So when we revisited the article recently, we didn’t try to reinvent it.
Instead, we took it back to its roots.
We kept Jon’s original explanation and lists intact, then added a short look at how the idea has evolved over the years.
It’s funny how some writing ideas age well, while others lose their punch.
This one hasn't aged a day.
Take a look.
Power words trigger emotion and influence readers. Here’s the original Smart Blogger list of 317 words writers use to grab attention and drive action.