Here take this.


Hey Reader,

Joaquin's been sick. Not just with one thing. All. The. Things.

Tackling the first symptom:

Me: Drink this apple juice with honey. It will soothe your throat.
J: Yuck.

...

Reset.

"This will zap the germs."

Same cup. Same drink. Different words.
He drinks it.

Success! And a word selection experiment is complete.

Nothing about the drink changed. So what happened?

"Soothe" is vague. Passive. Abstract.
It’s a conclusion. You just have to believe someone's opinion.

People can't feel conclusions. They can only feel facts.

"Zap" creates an image.
It's a mission.
You can practically see the bad bacteria dying.

In a deposition or trial:

Vague language creates distance. Specific language creates action.

Closed loudly vs. Slammed

Broken vs. Shattered

Got nervous vs. Froze

Words your witness, judge, and jury can see — they'll feel.
And once they feel it — they act.

Just ask Joaquin.

Got a case you'd like some extra eyes on? We do free 30-minute consults.
Schedule yours here.

Your dedicated trial consultants,

P.S. There's a name for these kinds of words. Onomatopoeia. Kinesthetic language. Concrete verbs. [Got a case? Let's talk.] We’ll help you make sure they all land.


Looking for more resources to help you ‘be you’ AND win more cases?

Start here for more resources and other trainings:​

💡Turn Facts to Feels: Access Your Jury’s Decision-Making Emotions (Get it here)

💡Lawyer to Client Jackpot Questions (Get it here)

💡Cross Lab Podcast: Live simulations putting cross strategies to the test (Listen here)

💡Acting for Trial Lawyers: Natural, Engaging and Credible Presentations
(Grab it here)

💡Book a free 30-min strategy session with Steve and Olivia: Pick our brain about your case narrative or witness— no strings attached! (Schedule here)

Trial Haus Consulting
(657) 464-3117
Steve@trialhaus.com

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Trial Haus Consulting

Courtroom strategy meets storytelling craft. Weekly insights on deposition prep, cross-examination, and attorney performance — from trial consultants who've trained litigators across 2,000+ depositions.

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