Powerful and Powerless Language Forms
Psychological research has indicated speakers that use powerful language are more persuasive than speakers using powerless language forms. Powerful language is short and direct, while powerless language uses hedges, is overly polite, and uses both verbal and non-verbal hesitations. Other research indicates that there is no improvement in persuasion for victims when they use powerless language. In short, using powerful language leads to higher ratings of competence and higher levels of persuasiveness.
This research forms the background for our work with witness testimony [Focus, Focus, Focus]. Helping a witness focus their testimony so they use powerful language forms goes a long way in helping them be a persuasive witness. However, using powerful language forms is not sufficient for convincing testimony. The witness must also connect emotionally to the audience.
