There’s a simple way to reduce confusion and wasted time: answer the question that was asked—first, directly, and without detours.
In law, this matters more than most people realize. When questions are asked—whether in court, in a deposition, or in an email—those asking the questions are not looking for a preamble, a backstory, or a demonstration of how much you know. They want the answer, and only the answer, to the questions they pose to you.
Why People Often Miss the Mark
Most people don’t ramble because they’re careless or evasive (although there are plenty of such people out there). Those who ramble do so usually because they’re trying to be courteous, helpful, persuasive, or thorough. Ironically, that intent often backfires. The longer it takes to reach the answer, the more likely it is to get lost—or doubted.
There’s also a subtle fear at work: if the answer is short, maybe it won’t seem strong enough, or maybe it will make the responder look bad. So some people pad their answers. They explain before they answer. They qualify before they commit. They go off on tangents. And in doing so, they dilute their credibility.
What “Getting to the Point” Means
It doesn’t mean being abrupt or unhelpful. It means simply:
- Answer the question directly.
- Stop.
- Only then add what is necessary to explain or support the answer, and only if more detail is first requested or permission to give more detail is first sought and granted.
For example:
- Question: “Did he/she arrive on time for the parent-time exchanges?”
- Good answer: “No.”
- Then, only if additional detail is sought or permitted: “He/she was late to all but two of the exchanges in March and April.”
Not the other way around:
| The Question | The Common Mistake (The Ramble) | The Direct Answer (The Goal) |
| “Did he/she arrive on time?” | “Well, usually he’s/she’s late, but last Tuesday he/she had a work thing, so I waited for twenty minutes before calling, and then I decided…” | “No.” |
| “Do you have the bank statements?” | “I looked for them last night, but the login was changed, which is odd because I didn’t change it, and I think he’s/she’s hiding something…” | “Not yet.” |
The simple process of getting to the point matters; disregard it, and you needlessly force the questioner and the listener to hunt for the answer.
The Insight: A direct answer signals honesty. A long-winded explanation signals defensiveness and/or evasiveness.[1]
Ensuring You Answer Clearly and Concisely
Before you respond to any question, pause and ask yourself: What is the actual answer here? Then give that answer—plainly, directly, and without decoration.
Clarity Builds Trust
When you answer directly, you signal knowledge and confidence. You also show respect for the listener’s time and attention.
A clean, direct answer anchors everything that follows. Without that anchor, even a strong explanation can feel evasive.
Where does this matter most?
Courtroom exchanges. Depositions. Written briefing. Attorney-client communications. But even outside of these situations (and perhaps with the one exception of friendly chit-chat between friends), it’s hard to find circumstances where being direct and to the point is not the best policy.
If the answer isn’t clear and concise, doubt, confusion, frustration, and distrust follow.
If you want to be taken seriously, start by answering the question. Until you answer the question, nothing else you say really matters.
Answer the question first. Everything else either earns its place after that—or doesn’t belong at all.
The Golden Rule of Testimony: If a question can be answered with a “Yes,” “No,” or “I don’t know,” or “I don’t understand the question,” it probably should be.
Did I answer the question in the first five words?
Did I stop talking after I gave my answer?
Am I waiting for the follow-up, or asking permission to elaborate before I do?
Get to the point—and you’ll find most people finally start (and keep) listening.
Utah Family Law, LC | divorceutah.com | 801-466-9277
[1] “Reality Check” Note:
While “Answer then Stop” is 100% correct for depositions and cross-examination, it is not correct for clients when communicating with their own attorneys. While you should be direct and to the point in court, always be 100% transparent with your own attorney. Your attorney needs the facts, warts and all, to understand and protect you.