Introduction

• Author: Faith Dianne Pincus
• Profession: Attorney and former Federal Law Clerk
• Pages: 11-12

xi

Introduction

This book is a long time coming. I tend to like speaking more than writing,

so it took a while. It’s based on almost thirty years of experience training

various professionals, starting with political candidates and elected officials

and extending to attorneys, heads of national nonprofits, executives, friends,

and others—as well as my formal education in rhetoric and communication.

It’s organized by topic, so feel free to skip around.

However, if you really want to improve your presentation skills, it’s

important that you do read about each area of public speaking—Audience,

Message, and Image/Delivery—otherwise known as my AMITM method

of public speaking.

You need to know about and work on all three to be your best.

You’ll find my discussion about knowing your Audience in

Chapter Two.

And even if you think all you want or need to do is improve your

image and delivery style, it really is critical you read how to organize your

presentation, which you’ll find in Chapters Three, Four, and Five, all under

“Message.” Disorganized presentations are one of the biggest problems—and

most common mistakes—speakers make. They are also the ones audiences

will not forgive, regardless of your delivery acumen.

Chapters Six through Ten will give you skills you need to make your

delivery more exciting and captivating—to help you reach your audience.

While almost everything in this book applies to presentations made

by attorneys in and out of court (and I point out when my advice does

not apply in court), in Part Two I specifically address in-court-related

speaking settings.

For the trial level oral argument chapter and the trial advocacy chapter

(Chapters 11 and 15), I’ve summarized insight I’ve obtained from many

judges and justices interviewed for this book, as well as those who have

shared their stories and insight with me over the past fourteen years I have

had my Continuing Legal Education company.

I’ve also included three guest chapters by very well-respected attorneys

and a retired judge, all dedicated specifically to in-court speaking settings.

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