How to ask questions like a lawyer

Summary

This video script reveals the art of questioning akin to a lawyer, highlighting a secret and three rules. The secret lies in framing statements that appear as questions, compelling agreement to avoid appearing foolish. The three rules include setting specific goals for questioning, using leading questions to guide responses, and keeping questions concise with one fact each. This methodical approach ensures effective control over the witness or conversation, applicable in legal settings or everyday arguments.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The secret to asking questions like a lawyer is to make statements that sound like questions, which the witness feels compelled to agree with.
• 🎯 Rule 1 emphasizes setting specific goals for your questions to guide the direction of the questioning and ensure it leads to the desired outcome.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Rule 2 suggests that lawyers typically ask leading questions, which are designed to guide the witness towards a particular answer that supports the lawyer's case.
• 📝 Rule 3 advises keeping questions short and focused on one fact to maintain control over the witness and the flow of the questioning.
• 👶 The script uses the analogy of a mother questioning her teenage son to illustrate how leading questions can be used to elicit a desired response.
• 🍒 An example of accusing a baby brother of eating the last piece of cherry pie is used to demonstrate how to construct questions to prove a point.
• 🚫 Avoiding compound questions is crucial as they can lead to confusion and make it difficult to pinpoint the exact issue with the witness's response.
• 👥 The technique of asking questions like a lawyer can be applied in various situations, not just in legal settings, to help make a point or argument.
• 🤔 The script provides a practical example of breaking down a complex question into simpler, single-fact questions to effectively control the narrative.
• 📞 The speaker offers a call to action for those in need of legal services, specifically in North Alabama, highlighting the practical application of these questioning techniques.

Q & A

What is the secret to asking questions like a lawyer?

The secret is to make statements that sound like questions, which the witness feels compelled to agree with to avoid looking foolish.

Why do lawyers use this questioning technique?

Lawyers use this technique to control the narrative and guide the witness towards the desired response, which supports their case.

What is the first rule of asking questions like a lawyer?

The first rule is to have specific goals for each question, ensuring you know where you're going with your line of questioning.

Can you provide an example of how to use the first rule?

An example is accusing a baby brother of eating the last piece of cherry pie, where the goal is to show he did it by asking questions that lead to this conclusion.

What is the second rule of lawyer-like questioning?

The second rule is to only ask leading questions, which are designed to guide the witness to give a specific answer that the questioner already expects or wants.

Why is it important to ask leading questions?

Leading questions help to shape the testimony in a way that supports the questioner's argument or narrative without revealing too much information.

What is the third rule when asking questions like a lawyer?

The third rule is to keep questions short and limit them to one fact per question to better control the witness and the direction of the testimony.

Why should questions be limited to one fact?

Limiting questions to one fact per question helps to avoid confusion and allows the questioner to more easily identify and correct any discrepancies in the witness's response.

How does asking one fact per question help in controlling the witness?

It allows the questioner to address each piece of information individually, making it easier to challenge or confirm specific details without getting lost in complex responses.

What is the purpose of the example given about the Bluefish and the sardines?

The example illustrates how breaking down a complex question into simpler, fact-based questions can help in controlling the witness and clarifying the facts of a situation.

How can these questioning techniques be applied outside of a legal setting?

These techniques can be used in any situation where one needs to clarify facts, persuade, or make a point, such as in debates, negotiations, or everyday discussions.