The Articulate Witness: An Illustrated Guide to Testifying Confidently Under Oath

Every day in the United States, ordinary people are called to testify in court. Most of them have never been involved in a legal proceeding. But they have probably seen witnesses in high-profile trials on television, being harshly cross examined, looking nervous or anxious—perhaps even humiliated. The thought of testifying can be scary. Being subpoenaed can lead to weeks or months of anxiety until the day arrives when they raise their right hand and swear to tell the truth. This book is for them. Whether testifying at a trial, arbitration, or deposition, this book will help witnesses get ready for the experience. Easy-to-follow, illustrated tips prepare them to be a more compelling witness. The book contains answers to common questions, such as: What can I expect when I testify? How can I be a prepared and trustworthy witness? What is the key to calming my nerves? What questions should I ask the lawyer who called me? How do I keep my emotions in check? Can I channel my nervous energy into something positive? and How can I prevent getting flustered while testifying? Distinguished trial advocacy instructors who have been teaching lawyers to be self-assured communicators for 35 years now employ their techniques to help people who find themselves in the witness chair.

Brian K. Johnson is the president of a consulting firm who teaches persuasion to trial lawyers and public speaking to transactional attorneys. For the past decade, he has trained new assistant U.S. attorneys at the Department of Justice National Advocacy Center. Marsha Hunter is the CEO of a consulting firm who teaches persuasion for trial lawyers and public speaking for corporate attorneys. Her specialty is human factors—the science of human performance in highstakes environments. She is the communication specialist for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy’s collaborative programs with the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Violence Against Women. They are the award-winning coauthors of The Articulate Advocate: New Techniques of Persuasion for Trial Lawyers and The Articulate Attorney. They both live in Phoenix, Arizona. Barbara J. Richied is a graphic designer and illustrator. She has designed for print, video, and the web. Her client list includes 3M, St. Jude Medical, Best Buy, and Aveda. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.