How to Write and Speak More Effectively as Advocate, Negotiator, or Counselor -- Suggestions to the Budding Lawyer

How best to give you some ideas about legal communication? The traditional approach is to focus narrowly upon a particular type, for example, appellate oral argument. My approach is different. I view communication in its total aspect -- whatever its general nature (e.g. writing or speech), degree of formality (e.g. brief or office negotiation), or audience (e.g. lawyer or layman). My ideas proceed from a fundamental assumption: As a student you can gain insights about the subject, by first studying the broad canvas. As you then reflect upon any particular mode, it can be set against that background. The suggestions that I offer are not original; but however elementary, they should prove useful.

My discussion treats, in order, ways: to be clear, to be persuasive, to prepare yourself, and to be creative.