The New York Times Opinionator reminds us that what’s good for writers is good for us all. When you are “seeking the unknown — the story behind the facts,” the secret is is simple. Lee Gutkind writes (excerpt): This is…
Kaganizing erudition: Writing the readable Supreme Court opinion
The New York Times recognizes Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan and her writing style. The editorial notes her goal of writing so that non-lawyers can understand and her usage of techniques to enhance understanding. Lincoln Kaplan writes (excerpt): She is…
How to tell a story to persuade
Psychology Today reveals how storytelling helps persuasion. Peter Guber writes (excerpt): [T]elling purposeful stories is certainly the most efficient means of persuasion in everyday life, the most effective way of translating ideas into action . . . . . .…
To fault or to no-fault: That is the question
The New York Times covers the topic of divorce lawyers discovering evidence from social networking sites. Included is a comment about the role of fault in a no-fault divorce. Nadine Brozan writes (excerpt): “No-fault does not mean that fault is…
Identifying a need: Persuasion Strategy
The Financial Post offers four steps to effective persuasion focused on identifying a problem facing the other person that you can help solve. Sandra Folk writes (excerpt): Clearly identify your goal. . . . Determine your approach. [reason, logic, and…
Tips on how to give a great speech or presentation
BNET highlights 5 tips for improving public speaking from a Harvard Business Review blog entry by Dan Pallotta (who offers 8 more tips). Dave Johnson writes (excerpt): Know the goal of the speech. . . . . . . Memorize…
Maximum impact: How to organize your trial evidence
The ABA’s McElhaney on Litigation suggests replacing chronology with groups of vivid word pictures. Jim McElhaney writes (excerpt): http://www.abajournal.com/magazine/give_chronology_a_timeout McElhaney on Litigation “. . . Tell them the story. . . . [P]ut together a series of verbal snapshots that…
Persuading the stubborn: How to get through to someone who won’t listen to you
PowerHomeBiz.com reveals 5 powerful and persuasive moves for getting through a person’s mental defenses based on the work of Mark Goulston, the author of JUST LISTEN. The 5 tips include: “Do you really believe that?” The Power of Hmmm .…
The first to make the facts come alive: Gaining the advantage in bench trials
The ABA’s McElhaney on Litigation reminds us of how to persuade a judge. Jim McElhaney writes (excerpt): “You are talking directly to a fellow human being about the ‘gut stuff’ of life. What’s right and what’s wrong. Fair and unfair.…
Persuading without fake sincerity: The truth behind effective public speaking
Courtroom Performance’s new book, The Lawyer’s Winning Edge: Exceptional Courtroom Performance highlights four aspects of persuasion. Lisa L. DeCaro and Leonard Matheo write (excerpt): Remember these four important truths, and filter all advice through them: 1. Every speaker is different.…
A really good story = persuasive closing argument
ABA Journal’s McElhaney on Litigationshows how to make your closing argument ring true. Jim McElhaney writes (excerpt): Cabbages and Insance Goats “Thirty years ago, the late Craig Spangenberg of Cleveland said, ‘The greatest weapon in the arsenal of persuasion is…
The power of explanation: how to be a great communicator
Bloomberg shows how persuasion requires explanation and gives 3 tips for becoming a more effective communicator. John Baldoni writes (excerpt): Define what it is. The purpose of an explanation is to describe the issue, the initiative, or the problem. .…
Unshakable, not unpleasant: Effective trial advocacy during cross examination
The ABA Journal’s McElhaney on Litigation features the topic of persuasive cross-examination and the difference between being firm and a jerk. Jim McElhaney writes (excerpt): “You can be firm. You can be insistent. You can be tough when it’s called…
The art of persuasion: negotiating with patience and endurance
The Twin City’s Star Tribune shows different ways of persuading people, including 5 negotiation ideas from Benjamin Franklin. Harvey Mackay writes (excerpt): •Be clear, in your own mind, exactly what you are seeking. •Do your homework, so that you’re fully…
Influence over decisions: how to use the principles of persuasion
The Observer pays attention to psychologists like Robert Cialdini [Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion] and Robert Levine [The Powers of Persuasion] studying persuasion skills. Sarah Wilson writes (excerpt): • Reciprocity is one of the most powerful tools of persuasion [give…
Negotiation strategies, attitude and gestures: tips on persuasion so you get what you what
MSNBC and Prevention Magazine summarize simple principles of persuasion and negotiation, and they further discuss examples for putting them into practice. Kalee Thompson writes (excerpt): 1. Speak confidently Get directly to the point, but make sure you aren’t domineering. .…
Technique tips for making a speech or presentation
Business Week shows us ways to improve our presentations by following the lead of politicians and successful ad campaigns. Carmine Gallo writes (excerpt): [Anaphora.] Repeating a phrase at the beginning or end of successive sentences is a powerful rhetorical technique…
Trial v. settlement: How often is a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush?
The New York Times reminds us that trial is inherently uncertain, a gamble that often does not payoff. The study to be published in September’s Journal of Empirical Legal Studies showed that 61 percent of plaintiffs who rejected settlement offers…
Living in Unscripted World: Using improv to move conversations and your life forward
CNN and Real Simple help us us think faster and better on our feet through improv (excerpt): 1. The “yes…and” technique The “yes…and” technique gives you the chance to acknowledge what’s been said and then move the conversation to a…
How to negotiate issues, big and small: applying principles of persuasion to your life situations
The Freakonomics Blogs at the New York Times includes an interesting discussion on “getting what you want” with Robert Cialdini, Noah Goldstein and Steve Martin, the authors of “Yes! 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive.” Annika Mengisen’s post addresses…