NCSL Legislative Video Resource Center

Learn to increase self-awareness and personal brand when communicating daily. Whether you are a legislator headed into session or a legislative staffer gearing up for January, we all need to be concise, clear and credible. Ditch those phrases and words that undermine your authority, and replace them with words that have impact making you the expert. Speakers include communications expert Catherine Johns.

Learn from representatives from three states who talk about their staff training programs. All presenters share the impetus and history of their state’s staff training program, problems encountered along the way and any changes made and advice for other states.

What is legalese? Why should legalese should be avoided when drafting bills? How do you apply plain language principles in bill drafting? Learn the answers to these questions and engage in exercises to illustrate these principles.