Legal Research

Communication tips from the beach

By Dan Michaluk

Maybe its because we’re just on the good side of the dead of winter, but my weekly Slaw assignment led me back to an article I wrote in 2001 in praise of a communication model I learned to appreciate in years spent hanging out at the beach.

I called the article “Windsurfing 101″ and described the four-part model I learned way way back in 1984 when I took my first Canadian Yachting Association windsurfing instructor course. Back then I was taught that a good teacher:

1. Sets specific, clear and measurable learning objectives
2. Divides information into logical chunks
3. Maximizes audience participation
4. Includes an evaluative conclusion

Reflecting on the model over 25 years later, I am reminded how old I am. Yet the good-old CYA model still seems sound and valuable. And while not tailored for oral advocacy, it has concepts that should help the oral advocate. “Chunking” of complex ideas into understandable parts is an obviously useful concept. Proper goal setting also has potential. Consider the benefit of an approach that treats a legal argument as a series of achievable learning objectives. I like it because it should promote focus (as planning generally does). It also creates a path to success that is more actionable than that created by broader, outcome-based goals like “winning the motion” or appeal.

Is there any truth or wisdom that cannot be rooted back to the beach? Read the article here, and please also share links about similar techniques and models below.

Full post as published by Slaw.ca on March 10, 2010 (boomark / email).