Question 1

Where an original post responds directly to the discussion forum assignment prompt, a reply post is a response to a (reply or original) post.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 2

We can prevent misunderstandings by being precise, which means…. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)  being exact 
B)  using concrete, descriptive, and specific terms 
C)  using abstract, vague, and general terms 
D)  using fuzzy terms 
A)  being exact 
B)  using concrete, descriptive, and specific terms 
C)  using abstract, vague, and general terms 
D)  using fuzzy terms A,B

Question 3

____ is the characteristic of a communication that is straightforward, unambiguous, and therefore able to be decoded accurately and with as little effort as possible.

Accepted Answer

A)  Brevity 
B)  Conciseness 
C)  Inert 
D)  Clarity 
A)  Brevity 
B)  Conciseness 
C)  Inert 
D)  Clarity D

Question 4

While an expert witness should not overshare, oversimplifying is a helpful way to communicate with jurors.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Plagiarism is but one form of unethical writing. Another form of unethical writing is presenting source material out of context, such that we give our audience the wrong impression of the point being made in the source.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

____ involves words that just about anyone should be able to understand; it is accessible.

Accepted Answer

A)  Common language 
B)  Plain language 
C)  Jargon 
D)  Slang 
A)  Common language 
B)  Plain language 
C)  Jargon 
D)  Slang

Question 7

Expert witness testimony is the courtroom testimony of a lay witness.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Most of the time, a fancy term is better than its simpler equivalent.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Both the prosecution and defense can have expert witnesses.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

A(n) ____ is a collection of words that, taken together, has come to mean something other than what the individual words mean.

Accepted Answer

A)  euphemism 
B)  litotes 
C)  hyperbole 
D)  idiom 
A)  euphemism 
B)  litotes 
C)  hyperbole 
D)  idiom

Question 11

Which of the following is not a guideline for developing clear communications?

Accepted Answer

A)  Be explicit. 
B)  Prefer fancy to simple terms. 
C)  Be literal. 
D)  Prefer positive to negative constructions. 
A)  Be explicit. 
B)  Prefer fancy to simple terms. 
C)  Be literal. 
D)  Prefer positive to negative constructions.

Question 12

As an expert witness, if the answer to a question is a qualified yes (e.g., "Yes, but …"), then how should you respond?

Accepted Answer

A)  Begin your response with the qualification. 
B)  Ask the attorney to rephrase the question. 
C)  Keep it simple, and just say yes. 
D)  Refuse to answer the question. 
A)  Begin your response with the qualification. 
B)  Ask the attorney to rephrase the question. 
C)  Keep it simple, and just say yes. 
D)  Refuse to answer the question.

Question 13

Which of the following strategies is not recommended to help jurors understand the testimony of expert witnesses?

Accepted Answer

A)  Present as much detail as possible to be thorough and provide context. 
B)  Avoid jargon and specialized terms. 
C)  Break down complex concepts. 
D)  Use graphics to illustrate complicated processes and points. 
A)  Present as much detail as possible to be thorough and provide context. 
B)  Avoid jargon and specialized terms. 
C)  Break down complex concepts. 
D)  Use graphics to illustrate complicated processes and points.

Question 14

Which of the following is a source of indirect language? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)  Senders being uncomfortable with the more direct approach, wanting to avoid having to come right out and say something 
B)  Senders being unsure of his or her goals, thus taking a roundabout approach 
C)  Senders being aware of their goal, and thus targeting their goal unswervingly 
D)  Senders being overly concerned with word choice, thus taking too long to transmit the communication 
A)  Senders being uncomfortable with the more direct approach, wanting to avoid having to come right out and say something 
B)  Senders being unsure of his or her goals, thus taking a roundabout approach 
C)  Senders being aware of their goal, and thus targeting their goal unswervingly 
D)  Senders being overly concerned with word choice, thus taking too long to transmit the communication

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of a double negative?

Accepted Answer

A)  I never want to not wear socks. 
B)  He is always wearing no socks. 
C)  Nobody is ever going to believe she wore unicorn socks. 
D)  You and no one else wear those socks! 
A)  I never want to not wear socks. 
B)  He is always wearing no socks. 
C)  Nobody is ever going to believe she wore unicorn socks. 
D)  You and no one else wear those socks!

Question 16

To be ____ is to be exact.

Accepted Answer

A)  direct 
B)  precise 
C)  abstract 
D)  vague 
A)  direct 
B)  precise 
C)  abstract 
D)  vague

Question 17

We open ourselves to misinterpretation and various interpretations when we are vague.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

____ is the appropriate use of qualifiers to denote legitimate uncertainty.

Accepted Answer

A)  Equivocating 
B)  Doublespeak 
C)  Hedging 
D)  Trimming 
A)  Equivocating 
B)  Doublespeak 
C)  Hedging 
D)  Trimming

Question 19

Which of the following is not a best practice for delivering compelling expert witness testimony?

Accepted Answer

A)  Stick to the facts. 
B)  Respond quickly. 
C)  Tell the truth. 
D)  Remain calm. 
A)  Stick to the facts. 
B)  Respond quickly. 
C)  Tell the truth. 
D)  Remain calm.

Question 20

When we equivocate, there is a single, clear interpretation of what we say.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Where an original post responds directly to the discussion forum assignment prompt, a reply post is a response to a (reply or original) post.

We can prevent misunderstandings by being precise, which means…. Select all that apply.

____ is the characteristic of a communication that is straightforward, unambiguous, and therefore able to be decoded accurately and with as little effort as possible.

While an expert witness should not overshare, oversimplifying is a helpful way to communicate with jurors.

Plagiarism is but one form of unethical writing. Another form of unethical writing is presenting source material out of context, such that we give our audience the wrong impression of the point being made in the source.

____ involves words that just about anyone should be able to understand; it is accessible.

Expert witness testimony is the courtroom testimony of a lay witness.

Most of the time, a fancy term is better than its simpler equivalent.

Both the prosecution and defense can have expert witnesses.

A(n) ____ is a collection of words that, taken together, has come to mean something other than what the individual words mean.

Which of the following is not a guideline for developing clear communications?

As an expert witness, if the answer to a question is a qualified yes (e.g., "Yes, but …"), then how should you respond?

Which of the following strategies is not recommended to help jurors understand the testimony of expert witnesses?

Which of the following is a source of indirect language? Select all that apply.

Which of the following is an example of a double negative?

To be ____ is to be exact.

We open ourselves to misinterpretation and various interpretations when we are vague.

____ is the appropriate use of qualifiers to denote legitimate uncertainty.

Which of the following is not a best practice for delivering compelling expert witness testimony?

When we equivocate, there is a single, clear interpretation of what we say.

Introduction

Professionalism

Responsiveness

Organization

Logic

Evidence

Completeness

Correctness

Conciseness

Presentation

Filters

Exam 9: Clarity

Where an original post responds directly to the discussion forum assignment prompt, a reply post is a response to a (reply or original) post.

We can prevent misunderstandings by being precise, which means…. Select all that apply.

____ is the characteristic of a communication that is straightforward, unambiguous, and therefore able to be decoded accurately and with as little effort as possible.

While an expert witness should not overshare, oversimplifying is a helpful way to communicate with jurors.

Plagiarism is but one form of unethical writing. Another form of unethical writing is presenting source material out of context, such that we give our audience the wrong impression of the point being made in the source.

____ involves words that just about anyone should be able to understand; it is accessible.

Expert witness testimony is the courtroom testimony of a lay witness.

Most of the time, a fancy term is better than its simpler equivalent.

Both the prosecution and defense can have expert witnesses.

A(n) ____ is a collection of words that, taken together, has come to mean something other than what the individual words mean.

Which of the following is not a guideline for developing clear communications?

As an expert witness, if the answer to a question is a qualified yes (e.g., "Yes, but …"), then how should you respond?

Which of the following strategies is not recommended to help jurors understand the testimony of expert witnesses?

Which of the following is a source of indirect language? Select all that apply.

Which of the following is an example of a double negative?

To be ____ is to be exact.

We open ourselves to misinterpretation and various interpretations when we are vague.

____ is the appropriate use of qualifiers to denote legitimate uncertainty.

Which of the following is not a best practice for delivering compelling expert witness testimony?

When we equivocate, there is a single, clear interpretation of what we say.

Introduction

Professionalism

Responsiveness

Organization

Logic

Evidence

Completeness

Correctness

Conciseness

Presentation

Filters