
"Once upon a time ..."
So begins Winning with Stories: Using the Narrative to Persuade in Trials, Speeches and Lectures, an examination of the power of the story in the art of persuasion. In this eminently readable work of sound scholarship, author Jim M. Perdue proves that the story, as our primary vehicle for learning and teaching, is as valid today as it was to our ancient ancestors. "Stories reaffirm our belief that our institutions exist as solutions to problems," writes Perdue. "Stories deny the proposition that life can only admit to hopelessness and uncertainty. Since the beginning of time, narratives have carried the truths of hope and justice."
Beginning with an exploration of the story concept, Perdue analyzes narrative elements in detail, showing how to craft a story with a strong beginning, memorable scenes, believable characters, a logical plot, vivid action, and a moving conclusion. Going beyond these basics, Perdue demonstrates how to tell the story to maximum effect, with attention to concepts as broad as giving "soul" to the story and as specific as what the speaker should wear. Perdue covers mannerisms, physical movement, use of illustrative visuals, and other storytelling considerations in detail. The author gives generously of his more than forty years of courtroom experience to show novice and veteran lawyers alike how to tell a powerful story to motivate an audience.
Far more than a practical analysis of storytelling, Winning with Stories is also an invaluable anthology of stories that speakers can use to make and illustrate a point. Perdue includes abundant examples of useful labels, metaphors, similes, clichés, analogies, quotations, poetry, personal anecdotes, and humorous stories. He traces them to their roots in ancient and modern history, the Bible, children's tales, books, movies, plays, and folklore. Rounding out these invaluable resources are illustrative examples of actual opening statements and closing arguments the author has used to inspire juries to a just verdict.
Like Perdue's previous books, Winning with Stories will be an indispensable reference for the trial lawyer seeking more effective persuasion techniques and an invaluable tool for lecturers, ministers, and teachers—anyone who studies or practices the art of persuasion.
- Letter from the President of the State Bar of Texas
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Part 1: The Story Concept
- The Power of the Story
- Why a Story?
- Part 2: Crafting A Story
- The Strong Begining
- Setting the Scene
- Developing Strong Characters
- Presenting a Compelling Plot
- Let the Audience Live the Action
- Choosing a Cognitive Theme
- Negating the Negatives
- Complete the Circle with a Strong Ending
- Part 3: Telling The Story
- The Power of the Person
- The Power of the Telling
- The Power of the Sequence
- The Power of the Pictures
- The Power of the Story from Adverse Witnesses: Cross-Examination Storytelling
- Part 4: Our Values
- The Source of the Trial Lawyer's Values and Beliefs
- Consider Your Audience
- Inspiring with Your Trial Story
- Part 5: Stories Within Stories
- Labels
- Metaphors
- Similes and Cliches
- Analogies
- Quotations
- Poetry
- Anecdotes and Humorous Stories
- Part 6: Courtroom Stories
- Illustrative Opening Statement: Truck-Auto Collision Kills Plaintiff's Son
- Illustrative Opening Statement: Premises-Unsafe Ladder
- Illustrative Closing Summation: Baby Brain Damaged at Birth Due to Obstetrical Nursing Negligence
- Illustrative Closing Summation: Pathology Mistake Leaves Woman Disfigured
- Illustrative Closing Summation: Anesthesia Misadventure Kills husband
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Story Morals Index
- Name and Title Index
- Subject Index