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FAQs

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.


 

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Preparing and Delivering Testimony Before Congress

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