Write On!, 1220 WYBJ, Vol. 43 No. 6. 52
Author | Michael R. Smith University of Wyoming College of Law Laramie, Wyoming |
Position | Vol. 43 6 Pg. 52 |
Traits of Credibility, Part 5: Organization as a Sign of Intelligence
Michael R. Smith University of Wyoming College of Law Laramie, Wyoming
This
article represents the fifth installment in my continuing
series on ethos: the process by which a legal writer
establishes credibility as a trustworthy source of
information in the eyes of his or her reader. In the
introduction to this series, I explained that advocate
credibility contains three distinct sub-components:
intelligence, character, and good will.
Classical
rhetorician and philosopher Aristotle recognized long ago
that an advocate must project intelligence in order to gain
the confidence of his or her audience.
One
important trait of intelligence is organization. As
I explain in my Advanced Persuasive Writing textbook,
[An important] trait of an intelligent legal writer is that
the writer is organized. In general terms, people
who approach and think about problems in an organized way are
typically perceived by others as being intelligent and
capable. This is also true in the context of legal writing.
Legal audiences generally have more confidence in advocates
who appear to possess strong organizational skills.
Conversely, legal audiences tend to be skeptical of arguments
and advice given by an advocate who appears to be confused
and disorganized.
The
Wyoming Supreme Court case of BP America Production
Company v. Department of Revenue
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