Learning to speak effectively is the number one need of the trial lawyer. Let's face it, what makes most of us want to become trial lawyers is the opportunity to convince others of our positions. As we travel through college and law school, we realize public speaking may not be our forte or even something we like. Many of us go to other areas of the law that assures that the will never have to appear in a courtroom much less before a jury.
There are however easy to learn traits of good speakers that can turn even the worst of us into at least capable trial lawyers. In his article "Speech Lessons From Obama" in The Daily Report, Joey Archer president of Speechworks talks about three things that make Presidential candidate Barack Obama a successful speaker.
I am not endorsing Barack for POTUS, but I have to admit his speeches move me. While it is really unlikely I will support him, I can understand his appeal. In many ways a team of Obama and John Edwards would be a speech making cannon hard for Sen. McCain to beat back no matter who he choses as a running mate.
For those of you too lazy to click on the links, Archer focuses on Obama's ability to passionately deliver simple messages, interdispersed with personal stories which make him more "real" to average people.
I would add that Obama speaks very diliberately and his pace is very important. His use of emphasis is particularly important. While it is harder to use this technique on the fly, most of us can hold onto key words and phrases which bring home our message in a memorable way.
Take a look at the article, What techniques have you found to be helpful in becoming a more effective speaker?
1 comment:
I "heart" this entry. Much has been said about the rhetorical choices women make as opposed to men - and Obama often chooses the
"femi-rhetorical" option, and makes it work.
When I am trying to persuade....I utilize alliteration, repetitive phrasing and machine gun volume of words. I think most people are intimidated by women who don't hesitate to do a little lecturing. If you don't want your opponent to like you, heavy volume can make your concepts a little "too much" - in a good way..hence the old Forensics/Debating trick of speedflowing a round, where you just dump information on your opponent.
If I want my opponent to like me, I'll allow that person to share more and more information, with just enough silence that most people will feel the need to fill. I then embrace every word that comes out of their mouth, and recount key phrases with my own opinion gently inserted within what they have said. That somehow makes my ideas seem like their idea...;)
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