PPA 503 The Public PolicyMaking Process

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PPA 503 The Public Policy-Making Process

• Lecture 9c How to Deliver Oral Testimony Based
  on a Written Statement

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Introduction

• Goal
• To speak authoritatively and to answer questions
  responsively in public deliberation.
• Objective
• Skill of writing speakable text, skill of
  speaking easily from written text, and readiness
  to answer anticipated and unanticipated questions.

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Introduction

• Scope
• Pinpointed topic pertinent to hearings purpose
  and the witnesss role.
• Product
• Two expected communication products
• Short oral summary.
• Full written statement.
• Strategy
• Confident and useful public testimony resulting
  from advance preparation.

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Developing a Testimony

• Present concisely and responding credibly to
  questions.
• Know the context.
• Know your message.
• Know your role.
• Know the communication situation.
• Rehearse your delivery.

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Task 1. Write the Testimony

• Use the method in Chapter 2 for both the oral and
  written forms.
• Write out your oral summary, even if only talking
  points.
• Everything in an oral testimony is public record.

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Task 1. Write the Testimony

• Template.
• Title page or header to identify organization and
  witness, the agency holding the hearing, the
  topic, the date, and the location of the hearing.
• Greeting to thank the organizers for the
  opportunity to testify and to state why the topic
  is important to the witness.
• Message to state the main information the
  testimony provides.
• Support (evidence, grounds) for the message.
• Relevance of the message to the hearings
  purpose.
• Optional discussion or background to add
  perspective on the message (only if relevant).
• Closing to conclude the testimony and invite
  questions.

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Task 2. Write the Full Statement

• Might use the same organization as the oral
  summary.
• May be longer, more details, and include
  appendices.
• Must be well organized to ensure use.

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Task 3. Present the testimony.

• Summarize.
• State the message clearly and emphatically.
• Stay within time limits.
• Listen.
• Answer credibly.

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Task 3. Present the testimony.

• Questions-and-answer.
• Listen to the questions of other witnesses.
• Make sure you hear each question correctly.
• Answer the question that is asked.
• Stop when you have answered the question.
• Do not lie or invent information.
• Handle the following situations carefully
• You are asked your personal opinion.
• You dont know the answer.
• Your credentials are challenged or your
  credibility is attacked.