Convincing Communication Skills

Learning to communicate properly and effectively is one of the most valuable assets one can master. Interpersonal communication skills can be complicated and delicate. It is important to listen first and consider the circumstances at hand in order to form an honest and appropriate response. Communication in interpersonal relationships is vital to the overall long-term success of the relationship.

Honing and sharpening your communication skills to be an effective and successful expert witness, speaker, writer or author is vital. Being an expert witness demands effective and convincing communication skills. Writing expert reports stating the facts and forming conclusions is only one important aspect. The other is testifying under oath in depositions and trial testimony. Obtaining a degree in communications is a recommended. Books such as writing and defending your expert report (Babitsky, S., & Mangraviti, J. J., Jr.)  are both useful and helpful, but at the end of the day the report must communicate the facts, conclusions and opinions in a clear, concise and convincing fashion. This requires good communications skills and techniques. 

Information is the most valuable resource one can have. Communication is the process of acting on information and communicating the effects properly and convincingly. Obtain the best information available at the time, and make a decision on how to what decision needs to be made and how to best communicate that decision.

The “Five Cannons of Rhetoric” are important to know, understand and incorporate in your communication skills. The first cannon is, invention, whereby the speaker must discover what arguments will allow others to understand. This process requires the speaker to understand and know their audience. Developing  and utilizing this skill will enable the speaker to know what material will move the audience capture their attention and believe the content of the speaker’s speech.

The second of the five canons of rhetoric is “style”. Incorporating the proper wording is as important as the message itself. I typically use clear and concise language, while incorporating some figurative language to keep the information lively and interesting to the jury.

The third cannon “Arrangement” I do not have much control over. Typically as an expert witness, I am asked questions on the case in no particular order. However, the arrangement of the wording in a response is critical. Answers must be clear, concise, state the facts, building to a conclusion.

The fourth cannon “Memory” Remembering hundreds of facts, places, names, and circumstances of a complex case can be overwhelming for anyone. Use an outline and study it extensively. You may wish to research other memory techniques, which will help in this area.

Lastly, there is the canon of “Delivery”. This is a key component in convincing a jury, group or one individual your argument and message is creditable, accurate and true. Emotion and expressing emotion as well as placing emphasis on certain words or phrases will sway an audience whether it is a jury of twelve or a room of one-hundred people.

Saraswathi Kuppuswamy said “A charismatic speaker has the essential qualities of winning hearts.  This holds true for all aspects of life, professional or personal”. (N Raghuraman 2010, April 8). It is not any one canon technique in particular that is important but they should be utilized collectively for maximum effectiveness. Competent, well thought out and proficient communication is a valuable skill set that will undoubtedly enhance ones personal and professional life.

Proficient communication, weather it is verbal, an informal memo or email, formal letter or public speaking is a very powerful tool. Communication can calm a tense situation, provide comfort, influence, sway opinion and entertain. The limits and the benefits of understanding how to properly communicate are endless. Understanding and applying high-quality communication techniques will help you in your current career or in any career you intend to pursue.

By William Gulya

  

References

Babitsky, S., & Mangraviti, J. J., Jr. (n.d.). Writing and Defending Your Expert Report. Seek.

Hargie, O. D. (Ed.). (1997). The Handbook of Communication Skills (2nd ed.). Routledge.

Gulya, W., Jr. (n.d.). Citations and your creditability. In Articles [Expert witness articles].

Retrieved April18, 2010, from http://siteworkexpert.com/‌articles.htm.

N Raghuraman.  (2010, April 8). The power of speech :Positive Thinking. DNA : Daily News & Analysis. Retrieved April 22, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand. (Document ID: 2006865891).
Plank, J.. (2009, May). Best speakers captivate any audience. Bottom Line, 25(6), 15.  Retrieved April 22, 2010, from Accounting & Tax Periodicals. (Document ID: 1719284881).

Trenholm, S. (n.d.). Thinking through Communications. An Introduction to the
Study of Human Communication (5th ed.).