Legal Research

"Foreshadowing and the Science of Persuasion"

Posted by Raymond Ward: "If your job involves persuading people through the written word, then you should read Something Judicious This Way Comes by Prof. Michael J. Higdon. In this paper, Prof. Higdon explores the use of foreshadowing in narrative, its effect on people's perception of what they see and hear, and the scientific explanation of how it works. Most important for legal writers, he gives examples of how judges use foreshadowing to make their rulings more acceptable to readers. Lawyers can use the same techniques to make their arguments more acceptable to judges.

Due to its thoroughness, the paper is a bit long--44 pages--but well worth your time. Download it now from SSRN, save it on your hard drive or print out a hard copy, and read it later when you have the time.¹

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¹ Extra points to anyone who spots the foreshadowing in this paragraph."

The active links are available at the source site listed below.

Source: the (new) legal writer, 17 September 2009

Full post as published by Stark County Law Library Blawg on September 24, 2009 (boomark / email).