Choosing Words Is Critical

Words you use to express your ideas are critical; make sure you choose carefully and have strong support for every word you use.

Nothing illustrates the need for this in any type of presentation more clearly than what happened after the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Centre in  New York.

When the building owner made an insurance claim on these two destroyed towers  he said there were "two" distinct attacks. But the insurance company objected to this description, saying there was only one event or attack.

The owner originally said there were two attacks because  close to half an hour separated the two airplane crashes -- to which the insurance company said in effect, "No. There was only one event.

The matter is now in court because if the building owner erred and cannot support his claim they he stands to lose big time.  If the insurance company can prove there was only one event then instead of paying some seven-billion dollars they will have to pay only three-billion.

Of course not everything you say will  be put under this much scrutiny, but this case does make the point that for whatever you say or words you use you must have enough evidence to support them.