Tips for Visual Layout of Oral Statement when Testifying Before Congress
 

These tips are included in the course materials for our course Preparing and Delivering Testimony Before Congress.

• Use a large font
• Do NOT use all caps (capitalized letters do not have ascenders and descenders which provide visual cues for quick recognition when reading)
• Double space
• Leave wide margins
• Leave a very, very wide footer (about a third of the page) so that when you read the statement, your eyes/head will not bow down to look at the bottom of the page
• Use indents or "overhanging indents" for each paragraph start, or even each sentence
• Print only on one side of each page
• Never split a sentence on to 2 pages

Tips for an Effective Oral Statement

• Limit the presentation to 3 to 5 main points
• Use enumeration to clearly emphasize points:
  • My first point is . . ., my second point is . . ., my third point is . .
• Use a creative, engaging enumeration phrase such as:
  • Our first goal is . . . Our second goal is . . .
  • The first piece of evidence is . . . The second piece of evidence is . . .
  • Our first challenge is . . . Our second challenge is . . .

 

See also

• "Congressional Investigations: Subpoenas and Contempt Power," by Louis Fisher, Congressional Research Service, Report RL31836, updated April 2, 2003 (Open CRS)

• "Congressional Oversight," by Frederick Kaiser, Congressional Research Service, Report 97-936 GOV, updated January 3, 2006 (Open CRS)

• "Hearings in the House of Representatives: A Guide for Preparation and Procedure," by Richard Sachs, Congressional Research Service, Report RL30539, updated June 13, 2006  (Open CRS)

Also see

• Congress by the Numbers - including current party numbers in Congress

• Congress Profile: The Backgrounds and Groups Among Members of Congress

• Congress Seating Charts

• Congressional Documents Online

• Congressional Fellowship and Internship

• Congressional Pay and Perks

• Congressional Schedule

• Congressional leadership and committees

  • Leadership of the current Congress - with photos

• How a Bill Becomes Law

• How to Contact Congress

• Pocket Constitution

• Senate Classes: Terms of Service

• Terms of Congress

• Visiting Washington, DC

• What's the deal with....

• For an alphabetized listing of Members of Congress, see our Congressional Directory.

Quick DC Links - Washington Essentials

URL:  TheCapitol.Net/FAQ/oraltestimonytips.htm

Related Resources

Live Courses

Preparing and Delivering Testimony Before Congress

Capitol Hill Workshop

Audio Courses

Publications