Vocabulary:
hammered- To force upon by constant repetition
amid- among/ during
widespread - distributed over a wide region, or occurring in many places or among many persons or individuals: widespread poverty.
instability- the quality or state of being unstable; lack of stability or firmness.
compelling- to overpower
unwarranted- without a basis in reason or fact
overblown- to give excessive importance or value to: to overblow one's own writing.
inflation-
A persistent increase in the level of consumer prices or a persistent decline in the purchasing power of money, caused by an increase in available currency and credit beyond the proportion of available goods and services.
peril- exposure to injury, loss, or destruction; grave risk; jeopardy; danger: They faced the peril of falling rocks.
reckon- to count; make a computation or calculation.
metropolises- large, busy cities
unabated- continuing at full strength or intensity; "the winds are unabated"; "the popularity of his books among young people continued unabated"
plummeting- To decline suddenly and steeply: Stock prices plummeted.
By Tim Hanson and Nate Weisshaar
If you've invested money in the emerging markets, then you probably have less money invested today than you did last week. China, India, Brazil, Vietnam … they've all been hammered amid widespread fears of global financial instability.
The goal of this (hopefully) weekly column is to help you understand what's happening and key in on some of the important events that are driving the action. This is important, because we continue to believe that the emerging markets continue to offer the most compelling long-term opportunities for American investors.
Take an interest in China Normally, we might tell you that these fears are unwarranted or overblown. But the recent events at Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, and AIG (NYSE: AIG) have clearly freaked out the rest of the world. China announced on Tuesday, for example, that it is cutting interest rates for the first time in six years!
The Chinese government had long assumed that economic growth was a given. It considered rising inflation its primary peril. Higher prices would pressure laborers and people in the western part of the country, who've thus far seen fewer benefits from China's incredible growth story.
That opinion is changing, now that China's once-strong manufacturing base must reckon with a significant slowdown in global demand, along with greater competition from countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia. Indeed, manufacturers such as Motley Fool Global Gains recommendation Nam Tai Electronics (NYSE: NTE) have reported declining volumes. And while Nam Tai can cope, given its focus on profits, many smaller Chinese businesses are suffering. According to China's National Development and Reform Commission, 67,000 businesses in China posted losses through May, and 3,600 manufacturers closed up shop in the Guangdong province alone.
One man's crisis is another man's opportunity Suffering hasn't been limited to Chinese manufacturers. Slowed economic activity has squeezed China's once-spectacular real estate market. With millions of Chinese flocking from rural areas toward jobs in China's exploding metropolises, demand for urban real estate offers strong long-term opportunities for companies such as China Housing & Land Development (Nasdaq: CHLN). As we're currently realizing, this process won't move forward unabated.
A combination of tight credit (a result of government attempts to prevent real estate speculation) and a collapsing stock market has spelled doom for many smaller property developers, some of which have projects already under construction, heavily reliant on borrowed funds. This has created an amazing opportunity for cash-rich developers to snap up properties at a fraction of their value. Armed with deep pockets and a long-term mindset, these developers are positioned to see very healthy returns once this short-term dip in real estate comes to an end.
Risks remain Finally, there's news out of Latin America this week, as South American leaders met in Chile's capital to express what they termed their "full support" for Bolivian president Evo Morales. If you're not familiar with Morales or what's been going on in Bolivia, here's a quick recap to get you up to speed.
Morales is a socialist leader who was first elected president of Bolivia at the end of 2005. He has close ties to Venezuela's Hugo Chavez and believes that "capitalism is the worst enemy of humanity." He has taken steps to nationalize Bolivia's natural gas supply, and he seeks to do the same with agriculture and other industries.
The new natural-gas policy affected not only U.S. companies such as ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM), but also France's Total SA (NYSE: TOT), and even neighboring Brazil's Petrobras (NYSE: PBR). This has upset other leaders in the region, along with significant portions of Bolivia's population, who are now engaged in violent clashes with Morales's supporters. That's led to disruptions in the economy and plummeting Bolivian real estate values.
While we can appreciate Latin American political leaders' interest in encouraging stability, they also need to understand that nationalization threatens to undo years of economic progress in the region. Brazil, for example, has been an enormous economic success story, particularly because of its increasing respect for property rights and a level playing field. Brazil still has a long way to go, but the country's president, Luiz Inacio Lula, needs to step up and share that blueprint with his neighbors. In time, we believe, he will.
Although the current crisis is crushing stock prices, we believe it also provides opportunity for companies such as Argentina's Cresud (Nasdaq: CRESY) to buy up valuable agricultural land for cheap in places like -- you guessed it -- Bolivia. After all, in these times of crisis, smart investors (like the management team at Cresud) can make a fortune.
from: International invests
Text Questions for Discussions:
1. At present, which companies do you think are worried about their investments?
2. Generally, is there any reason to panic economically at present?
3. Is investing in emerging markets unstable nowadays?
4. What kind of companies will be more affected with this situation? What countries will be majorly affected?
5. Personally, how can this situation affect an ordinary citizen? What can he do so as not to be majorly affected to it?
Friday, September 19, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Agreement and Disagreement
Agreement, disagreement and ... the English soul
By Olga Mindrul, Moscow State University
The way people agree or disagree in an argument or discussion varies in different languages. A lot here depends on the national cultural and traditional background of the speaker. The English are not as straightforward in expressing their opinion as Russians are, for example. The word which describes the English way of speaking and behaving in the best way is probably the word “reserved”. If you look it up in the dictionary, you’ll find a sentence that says it all: “An Englishman is very reserved, quiet, always discreet” (COLLINS COBUILD ENGLISH LANGUAGE DICTIONARY).
George Mikes in “How to be an Alien” wrote in a humorous way about these typical features of the English, which are reflected in the use of the language: “The English have no soul, they have understatement instead”. Understatement in proposing, according to George Mikes, “takes the form of “I say… would you". If it is an indecent proposal it is "I say… what about…".
In agreement and disagreement one should remember about understatement as an important underlying principle of wording what you think.
Agreement and disagreement are types of affirmation and denial in which the expression of JUDGEMENT or OPINION rather than the assertion of FACT is involved. It is all the more necessary not to offend standards of politeness when the other person’s judgement is in question.
AGREEMENT
In agreeing with an unfavourable opinion, you may wish to qualify your agreement with an expression of regret, etc.
His speech was boring / Yes, I am afraid it was.
I have to agree that it was.
\ I must say I found it so.
In other cases, you can be as enthusiastic as you like in emphasizing your agreement.
It was an interesting exhibition, wasn’t it? – Yes, it was superb/absolutely splendid!
A referendum will satisfy everybody. – Yes, definitely/quite/absolutely/I absolutely agree/I couldn’t agree more/I quite agree/ I agree entirely.
A referendum will not satisfy everybody. – Definitely not/It certainly won’t/You are absolutely right, it won’t/ I agree that it won’t.
It’s good practice and it’s good fun. – Exactly.
I feel I ought to give her a hand – Oh, quite, quite.
I must do something, though – Yes, I quite agree.
There is far too much attention being paid to these hoodlums – Yes I couldn’t agree more.
The public showed that by the way it voted in the General election – That’s quite true.
We reckon that this is what THEY would have wanted us to do. – I think you are absolutely right.
You can show that you agree strongly with someone’s description of something by repeating the adjective they have used and using "very" in front of it. You usually use “indeed” after the adjective.
It was very tragic, wasn’t it – Very tragic indeed.
The pacing in all these performances is subtle, isn’t – Oh, very subtle, indeed.
Other ways of expressing agreement are:
That’s just what I was thinking.
You know, that’s exactly what I think.
That’s a good point.
Partial agreement.
If you agree with someone, but not entirely or with reluctance, you can reply “I suppose so”.
I must have a job – I suppose so.
That’s the way to save lives, and save us a lot of trouble? – I suppose so.
If you are replying to a negative statement, you say, “I suppose not”.
Some of these places haven’t changed it – I suppose not.
Qualified agreement
In discussion and argument, there is often a need to agree with one aspect of a speaker’s view, and to disagree with another. Here are some of the methods you might use to express this sort of qualified agreement:
Certainly it’s true that …, but on the other hand…
I can see that…. But surely…
I am in total agreement with you about… but we also have to consider….
Agreed, BUT if we accept… then it must also be true that…
Corroboration
We can also agree, and add a further point to corroborate or confirm the argument
Yes, and in fact….
Yes, and what is more…
I agree, and in fact one might go so far as to say…
Absolutely. Actually, I would go further, and say…
DISAGREEMENT
Notice that you need to be very polite when disagreeing with someone in English – even someone you know quite well. When you deny or contradict what someone else has stated, the effect is often impolite, unless the denial is qualified in some way. You can qualify it by an apology or by adjusting to the speaker’s point of view:
English is a difficult language to learn.
-I am afraid I disagree with you: some languages are even more difficult, I think.
Or
- TRUE, but the grammar is quite easy.
Or
-Yes, but it’s not so difficult as Russian.
Or
-Do you think so? Actually, I find it quite easy.
The commonest ways to express disagreement are as follows:
Yes, that’s quite true, but…
I’m not sure I quite agree.
Well, you have a point there, but…
Perhaps, but I don’t think that…
I see what you mean, but…
Rather than simply expressing complete disagreement, people usually try to disagree politely using expressions, which soften the contradictory opinion they are giving "I don’t think so" and "Not really" are the most common of these expressions.
It was a lot of money in those days – Well, not really.
It’s all over now, anyway. – No, I am afraid I can’t agree with you there.
People often say “Yes” or “I see what you mean”, to indicate partial agreement and then go on to mention a point of disagreement, introduced by “but”.
You’ve just said yourself that you got fed up with it after a time. - Yes, but only after three weeks.
It’s a very clever film. – Yes, perhaps, but I didn’t like it.
They ruined the whole thing. – I see what you mean, but they didn’t know.
Strong disagreement
If you know someone very well you can disagree more directly using expressions like these:
I can’t agree with you there.
You can’t be serious!
Come off it!
Don’t be silly!
You should be very careful when using them, in order to avoid offending people.
That’s very funny – No, it isn’t.
You were the one who wanted to buy it – I am sorry, dear, but you are wrong.
More formal ways
University education does divide families in a way – I cannot go along with that.
There would be less guilt which characterized societies of earlier generations. – well I think I would take issue with that
When it comes to the state of this country, he should keep his mouth shut – I wholly and totally disagree.
He wants it, and I suppose he has a right to it – Rubbish.
He said you plotted to get him removed - that’s ridiculous.
Learning to express agreement and/or disagreement with someone’s views and opinions can be part of assertion training, which has gained increasing recognition in recent years. Its aim is to help people express themselves more effectively and appropriately.
The following three types of behavior are identified:
1. Non-assertive behaviour – failing to express your feelings, needs, opinions, or preferences, or expressing them in an indirect or implicit way. For example, agreeing to activities you are not really interested in or failing to ask for a favour even though one is needed/ Statements like “I suppose we could go to the cinema”, or “I wish I knew someone who could help me repair my car” represent indirect or implicit statements in which the other person must infer what the needs and opinions of the speaker really are. One difficulty with this type of communication is that it is open to varying interpretations and is therefore easily misunderstood.
2. Aggressive behaviour – expressing your feelings or opinions but in a punishing, threatening, demanding or hostile manner. There is little or no consideration of the feelings or rights of the other person. In addition, the person who behaves aggressively assumes little responsibility for the consequences of his/her action.
E.g. You’d better lend me $5.
You are going with me whether you like it or not.
3. Assertive behaviour – expressing your feelings, needs, legitimate rights or opinions honestly and directly without being aggressive to others, without infringing on their rights and without expecting the other person to read your mind. Assertive behaviour is not designed primarily to enable an individual to obtain what he/she wants. Rather its purpose is the clear, direct and inoffensive communication of one’s needs opinions and so on. To the extent that this is accomplished, the probability of achieving one’s goals without denying the rights of others increases.
from: Hello Online
By Olga Mindrul, Moscow State University
The way people agree or disagree in an argument or discussion varies in different languages. A lot here depends on the national cultural and traditional background of the speaker. The English are not as straightforward in expressing their opinion as Russians are, for example. The word which describes the English way of speaking and behaving in the best way is probably the word “reserved”. If you look it up in the dictionary, you’ll find a sentence that says it all: “An Englishman is very reserved, quiet, always discreet” (COLLINS COBUILD ENGLISH LANGUAGE DICTIONARY).
George Mikes in “How to be an Alien” wrote in a humorous way about these typical features of the English, which are reflected in the use of the language: “The English have no soul, they have understatement instead”. Understatement in proposing, according to George Mikes, “takes the form of “I say… would you". If it is an indecent proposal it is "I say… what about…".
In agreement and disagreement one should remember about understatement as an important underlying principle of wording what you think.
Agreement and disagreement are types of affirmation and denial in which the expression of JUDGEMENT or OPINION rather than the assertion of FACT is involved. It is all the more necessary not to offend standards of politeness when the other person’s judgement is in question.
AGREEMENT
In agreeing with an unfavourable opinion, you may wish to qualify your agreement with an expression of regret, etc.
His speech was boring / Yes, I am afraid it was.
I have to agree that it was.
\ I must say I found it so.
In other cases, you can be as enthusiastic as you like in emphasizing your agreement.
It was an interesting exhibition, wasn’t it? – Yes, it was superb/absolutely splendid!
A referendum will satisfy everybody. – Yes, definitely/quite/absolutely/I absolutely agree/I couldn’t agree more/I quite agree/ I agree entirely.
A referendum will not satisfy everybody. – Definitely not/It certainly won’t/You are absolutely right, it won’t/ I agree that it won’t.
It’s good practice and it’s good fun. – Exactly.
I feel I ought to give her a hand – Oh, quite, quite.
I must do something, though – Yes, I quite agree.
There is far too much attention being paid to these hoodlums – Yes I couldn’t agree more.
The public showed that by the way it voted in the General election – That’s quite true.
We reckon that this is what THEY would have wanted us to do. – I think you are absolutely right.
You can show that you agree strongly with someone’s description of something by repeating the adjective they have used and using "very" in front of it. You usually use “indeed” after the adjective.
It was very tragic, wasn’t it – Very tragic indeed.
The pacing in all these performances is subtle, isn’t – Oh, very subtle, indeed.
Other ways of expressing agreement are:
That’s just what I was thinking.
You know, that’s exactly what I think.
That’s a good point.
Partial agreement.
If you agree with someone, but not entirely or with reluctance, you can reply “I suppose so”.
I must have a job – I suppose so.
That’s the way to save lives, and save us a lot of trouble? – I suppose so.
If you are replying to a negative statement, you say, “I suppose not”.
Some of these places haven’t changed it – I suppose not.
Qualified agreement
In discussion and argument, there is often a need to agree with one aspect of a speaker’s view, and to disagree with another. Here are some of the methods you might use to express this sort of qualified agreement:
Certainly it’s true that …, but on the other hand…
I can see that…. But surely…
I am in total agreement with you about… but we also have to consider….
Agreed, BUT if we accept… then it must also be true that…
Corroboration
We can also agree, and add a further point to corroborate or confirm the argument
Yes, and in fact….
Yes, and what is more…
I agree, and in fact one might go so far as to say…
Absolutely. Actually, I would go further, and say…
DISAGREEMENT
Notice that you need to be very polite when disagreeing with someone in English – even someone you know quite well. When you deny or contradict what someone else has stated, the effect is often impolite, unless the denial is qualified in some way. You can qualify it by an apology or by adjusting to the speaker’s point of view:
English is a difficult language to learn.
-I am afraid I disagree with you: some languages are even more difficult, I think.
Or
- TRUE, but the grammar is quite easy.
Or
-Yes, but it’s not so difficult as Russian.
Or
-Do you think so? Actually, I find it quite easy.
The commonest ways to express disagreement are as follows:
Yes, that’s quite true, but…
I’m not sure I quite agree.
Well, you have a point there, but…
Perhaps, but I don’t think that…
I see what you mean, but…
Rather than simply expressing complete disagreement, people usually try to disagree politely using expressions, which soften the contradictory opinion they are giving "I don’t think so" and "Not really" are the most common of these expressions.
It was a lot of money in those days – Well, not really.
It’s all over now, anyway. – No, I am afraid I can’t agree with you there.
People often say “Yes” or “I see what you mean”, to indicate partial agreement and then go on to mention a point of disagreement, introduced by “but”.
You’ve just said yourself that you got fed up with it after a time. - Yes, but only after three weeks.
It’s a very clever film. – Yes, perhaps, but I didn’t like it.
They ruined the whole thing. – I see what you mean, but they didn’t know.
Strong disagreement
If you know someone very well you can disagree more directly using expressions like these:
I can’t agree with you there.
You can’t be serious!
Come off it!
Don’t be silly!
You should be very careful when using them, in order to avoid offending people.
That’s very funny – No, it isn’t.
You were the one who wanted to buy it – I am sorry, dear, but you are wrong.
More formal ways
University education does divide families in a way – I cannot go along with that.
There would be less guilt which characterized societies of earlier generations. – well I think I would take issue with that
When it comes to the state of this country, he should keep his mouth shut – I wholly and totally disagree.
He wants it, and I suppose he has a right to it – Rubbish.
He said you plotted to get him removed - that’s ridiculous.
Learning to express agreement and/or disagreement with someone’s views and opinions can be part of assertion training, which has gained increasing recognition in recent years. Its aim is to help people express themselves more effectively and appropriately.
The following three types of behavior are identified:
1. Non-assertive behaviour – failing to express your feelings, needs, opinions, or preferences, or expressing them in an indirect or implicit way. For example, agreeing to activities you are not really interested in or failing to ask for a favour even though one is needed/ Statements like “I suppose we could go to the cinema”, or “I wish I knew someone who could help me repair my car” represent indirect or implicit statements in which the other person must infer what the needs and opinions of the speaker really are. One difficulty with this type of communication is that it is open to varying interpretations and is therefore easily misunderstood.
2. Aggressive behaviour – expressing your feelings or opinions but in a punishing, threatening, demanding or hostile manner. There is little or no consideration of the feelings or rights of the other person. In addition, the person who behaves aggressively assumes little responsibility for the consequences of his/her action.
E.g. You’d better lend me $5.
You are going with me whether you like it or not.
3. Assertive behaviour – expressing your feelings, needs, legitimate rights or opinions honestly and directly without being aggressive to others, without infringing on their rights and without expecting the other person to read your mind. Assertive behaviour is not designed primarily to enable an individual to obtain what he/she wants. Rather its purpose is the clear, direct and inoffensive communication of one’s needs opinions and so on. To the extent that this is accomplished, the probability of achieving one’s goals without denying the rights of others increases.
from: Hello Online
Friday, September 5, 2008
Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
PLEASE CLICK THE PICTURE TO ZOOM IN.
N.B.
Adjectives ending with a vowel and a consonant double the consonant
for example : big - bigger- the biggest,
except when the consonant is 'w' or 'y'
for example : new - newer - the newest.
Use Comparative adjectives are used to compare two things or people to each other.
Superlative adjectives are used to compare one member of a group to the whole group.
Ex : The Amazon river is longer than the Mississippi.
The Nile is the longest river in the world.
from: Learn English Today
N.B.
Adjectives ending with a vowel and a consonant double the consonant
for example : big - bigger- the biggest,
except when the consonant is 'w' or 'y'
for example : new - newer - the newest.
Use Comparative adjectives are used to compare two things or people to each other.
Superlative adjectives are used to compare one member of a group to the whole group.
Ex : The Amazon river is longer than the Mississippi.
The Nile is the longest river in the world.
from: Learn English Today
Thursday, September 4, 2008
How To Win Your Court Case Before Opening Statement
By Bob Gerchen
Most veteran trial lawyers will agree that while a case is not always won in jury selection, it can easily be lost there. It is one of the three most critical junctures of any trial (the other two being opening statement and cross-examination of the first witness), yet voir dire usually is relegated to the proverbial back burner, only to be attended to in the waning days—or even hours—just before trial begins.
IF YOU’VE WAITED UNTIL THE WEEKEND BEFORE TRIAL TO PLAN YOUR VOIR DIRE, YOU’VE WAITED TOO LONG The construction of voir dire needs to start weeks before your case gets to trial, after you’ve conducted your pre-trial research (you have conducted pre-trial research, haven’t you?) and you are starting to prepare your case-in-chief in earnest. If you find yourself waiting until Saturday or Sunday before trial, jotting some questions down on a pad and then getting up in court on Monday and conducting your voir dire, without the benefit of research-based profiles or of rehearsal, you could well be missing out on the opportunity to educate your jurors and to weed out those most dangerous to you.
THE PURPOSE OF VOIR DIRE IS NOT TO DETERMINE IF JURORS CAN BE FAIR AND IMPARTIAL!
Sorry, but there is no such thing as an impartial juror. Every person who arrives in the courtroom—juror, lawyer, judge, clerk, court reporter, bailiff—brings two things:1. Life experiences.2. The attitudes that are a result of those life experiences.So, the purpose of voir dire is to uncover those attitudes and experiences, get jurors to talk about them, and then send home the folks who have attitudes that are hostile to your case and/or your client.
The Key Purposes of Voir Dire
• Find and dismiss jurors who will be harmful to your case• Get the themes of your case in front of jurors• Find out who your jurors are and what they have to say about the issues, so that you have a better idea of how to communicate with them during your case.
Your Goals in Voir Dire
• Get them to talk!• Get them to talk about your themes• Get them to talk themselves off the jury, if they are hostile to your case
IF YOU ONLY REMEMBER ONE THING FROM THIS ARTICLE, THIS IS IT
Do you go into trial without practicing your opening statement? Then why not spend time rehearsing the part of the trial when you speak to jurors first? If you don’t practice your voir dire, why not? If you do practice voir dire, do you practice with people in the room? If you practice with people in the room, are these laypeople? If these are laypeople in the room, do you ask them for their feedback on how this voir dire made them feel? If you ask them for feedback, do you apply it to your voir dire going into trial?
The bottom line is, your voir dire—not your opening statement—is when you make your first impression on the jurors. Make the most of the opportunity. Practice, refine your voir dire.
Bob Gerchen is a nationally-known jury consultant and author who helps lawyers communicate with people who don't have law degrees through consulting, books, articles, a newsletter and seminars. His Courtroom Presentation Tips newsletter (http://www.winmorecases.com) offers free tips for lawyers to help them win more cases. Bob is also the author of the book, 101 Quick Courtroom Tips for Busy Lawyers (http://www.CourtroomPresentationTips.com). To speak to Bob directly, call 1-877-863-0909.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Gerchen
Most veteran trial lawyers will agree that while a case is not always won in jury selection, it can easily be lost there. It is one of the three most critical junctures of any trial (the other two being opening statement and cross-examination of the first witness), yet voir dire usually is relegated to the proverbial back burner, only to be attended to in the waning days—or even hours—just before trial begins.
IF YOU’VE WAITED UNTIL THE WEEKEND BEFORE TRIAL TO PLAN YOUR VOIR DIRE, YOU’VE WAITED TOO LONG The construction of voir dire needs to start weeks before your case gets to trial, after you’ve conducted your pre-trial research (you have conducted pre-trial research, haven’t you?) and you are starting to prepare your case-in-chief in earnest. If you find yourself waiting until Saturday or Sunday before trial, jotting some questions down on a pad and then getting up in court on Monday and conducting your voir dire, without the benefit of research-based profiles or of rehearsal, you could well be missing out on the opportunity to educate your jurors and to weed out those most dangerous to you.
THE PURPOSE OF VOIR DIRE IS NOT TO DETERMINE IF JURORS CAN BE FAIR AND IMPARTIAL!
Sorry, but there is no such thing as an impartial juror. Every person who arrives in the courtroom—juror, lawyer, judge, clerk, court reporter, bailiff—brings two things:1. Life experiences.2. The attitudes that are a result of those life experiences.So, the purpose of voir dire is to uncover those attitudes and experiences, get jurors to talk about them, and then send home the folks who have attitudes that are hostile to your case and/or your client.
The Key Purposes of Voir Dire
• Find and dismiss jurors who will be harmful to your case• Get the themes of your case in front of jurors• Find out who your jurors are and what they have to say about the issues, so that you have a better idea of how to communicate with them during your case.
Your Goals in Voir Dire
• Get them to talk!• Get them to talk about your themes• Get them to talk themselves off the jury, if they are hostile to your case
IF YOU ONLY REMEMBER ONE THING FROM THIS ARTICLE, THIS IS IT
Do you go into trial without practicing your opening statement? Then why not spend time rehearsing the part of the trial when you speak to jurors first? If you don’t practice your voir dire, why not? If you do practice voir dire, do you practice with people in the room? If you practice with people in the room, are these laypeople? If these are laypeople in the room, do you ask them for their feedback on how this voir dire made them feel? If you ask them for feedback, do you apply it to your voir dire going into trial?
The bottom line is, your voir dire—not your opening statement—is when you make your first impression on the jurors. Make the most of the opportunity. Practice, refine your voir dire.
Bob Gerchen is a nationally-known jury consultant and author who helps lawyers communicate with people who don't have law degrees through consulting, books, articles, a newsletter and seminars. His Courtroom Presentation Tips newsletter (http://www.winmorecases.com) offers free tips for lawyers to help them win more cases. Bob is also the author of the book, 101 Quick Courtroom Tips for Busy Lawyers (http://www.CourtroomPresentationTips.com). To speak to Bob directly, call 1-877-863-0909.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Gerchen
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