The quest for the best story is front and center as we prepare for trial.  Data is all good and well.  But stories are the way to connect with real people.

These tips from Kurt Vonnegut may not be exhaustive but they ring true.  I've simply substituted the word "juror" for "reader". 

1.  Treat the juror's time as a resource - do not waste it.

2.  Give the jury a character to root for.

3.  Every character should want something - even if only a glass of water.

4.  Every sentence must reveal the character or advance the action.

5.  Start as close to the end as possible.

6.  No matter how sweet and innocent your leading characters, make bad things happen to them so the jury can see what they are made of.

7.  Aim to please just one person.  If you open a window and make love to the world, your story will get pneumonia.

8.  Give the jurors as much information as possible as soon as possible.  To hell with suspence.  Jurors should have such complete understanding of what is going on, where and why, that they could finish the story themselves.

This article is derived from The Atlantic - Kurt Vonnegut's 8 Tips on How to Wrige a Great Story by Maria Popova.  http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/04/kurt-vonneguts-8-tips-on-how-to-write-a-great-story/255401/

Photo from www.Kurtvonnegut.com