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Why You Should Increase Your Vocabulary

Why should you, a lawyer, increase your vocabulary?

Fundamentally, if you increase your vocabulary, then you have a better chance at winning more cases.

For example, increasing your vocabulary helps you find the simplest word that conveys your meaning most exactly. This gives your writing power and precision (see, for example, Neil James (2007) 190).

Secondly, if you increase your vocabulary, then you can adapt your style to the personality of the person you want to persuade (ie the judge or panel of judges). This is important because, in persuasive communication, such as writing a persuasive trial brief, you should always try “speaking the other person’s language” (see, for example, Harry Mills (1999)).

Third, if you increase your vocabulary, then you can boost your credibility. One part of having credibility is showing intelligence through articulate language. For example, in Advanced Legal Writing: Theories and Strategies in Persuasive Writing (2002), Michael R Smith (at 164) explains that a trait of an intelligent legal writer is that the writer is articulate: "A poor writer has very little credibility in the eyes of a reader."

Fourth, if you can increase your vocabulary, then you can reduce spelling errors. Improving your spelling is important because, as Smith explains (at 169): “Errors of this nature send a message to a reader that the writer is not careful, precise, and detail-oriented. Consequently, such errors cause a reader to lose confidence in the writer as an intelligent and capable source of information.”

Fifth, if you increase your vocabulary, then you are better equipped to easily express complicated ideas. According to Smith (at 164): “The writers who are most successful at gaining the confidence of their readers are those who can communicate complicated legal concepts in a clear and understandable way.”

As well as helping you write persuasive arguments, increasing your vocabulary can help you in other ways. For example, increasing your vocabulary can—

• improve your reading and comprehension skills — no more missing the judge’s point because you do not fully understand their language; you will be able to understand the words and concepts in the cases you read
• help you find the information you are looking for — when you research the law, you often must generate a list of keywords or search terms that indexes and other finding aids use; the more words you can think of, the better your chances of finding the answers to your problem
• grow your confidence during oral argument — no more stuttering and fumbling for the right word in front of the judge or jury
• improve opportunities for promotion and career progression — studies show that a good vocabulary is a strong predictor of career success

If you want to increase your vocabulary, then consider using vocabulary-building software. There are several benefits of vocabulary software that conventional methods of increasing your vocabulary cannot offer, including advantages of speed, cost, and convenience. Such software use proven instructional techniques that are known to increase your vocabulary.

If you are considering increasing your vocabulary, then try Ultimate Vocabulary. All orders come with a 90-day trial.

References

Neil James, Writing at Work: How to Write Clearly, Effectively and Professionally (2007)

Harry Mills, Artful Persuasion: How to Command Attention, Change Minds, and Influence People (1999)

Michael R Smith, Advanced Legal Writing: Theories and Strategies in Persuasive Writing (2002)