Scalia’s “Making Your Case”: Rules of persuasion in court and in life

Written on June 7, 2008 by David C. Sarnacki

Business Week puts a little spin on U.S. Associate Justice Antonin Scalia and editor-in-chief of Black’s Law Dictionary Bryan Garner’s “Making Your Case,” picking out 10 rules of persuasion that apply in the courtroom and beyond.

Carmine Gallo writes(excerpt):
Know your audience. . . .
Lead with your strongest argument. . . . Grab your listener’s attention right out of the gate.
Communicate clearly and concisely. Scalia and Garner remind us: “The power of brevity is not to be underestimated.” . . .
Close powerfully and say explicitly what you want your audience to do. . . .
Banish jargon. . . .
Hone your public speaking skills. . . .
Dress appropriately. . . .
When you’re not on your feet, you’re on stage. . . . “Maintain a dignified and respectful countenance,” they write. . . .
Look judges in the eye.
Don’t chew your fingernails. . . . Avoid annoying and distracting habits.

Posted in Persuasion/Advocacy