The Barrister’s Toolbox

A Resource for Trial Advocacy

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  • The “Dos” and “Don’ts” of Closing Arguments

    What are some common “Dos” and “Don’ts” when it comes to closing argument? Here is a list I put together:             Do: Speak loud and clearly. Be confident. Vary your tone and location as you move from point to point. Be organized. Begin and end on a high note so your points will be remembered.…

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  • Closing with Style

    Style and Delivery As mentioned in my last post, there are a number of great sources worth consulting for purposes of delivering a closing argument.  On that is particularly appropriate is the a speech book called, Speak Like Churchill Stand Like Lincoln by James Humes.  Here are a few short comments on this topic: Tone…

  • Closing Argument – What to Do When Your Opponent Deals from the Bottom of the Deck

    It is important to stick with the argument that you’ve planned out. Then aggressively and positively put forward your case. You don’t want to waste too much time responding to the other side’s argument to the detriment of their own. You want to help the jurors reach their own conclusions about the case with the use…

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  • Puzzled Jurors? Piecing it Together for the Jury…

    Your job is to help the jury see how the jury instructions apply to the evidence and that you’ve proven the essential elements of your claim, covering the essential facts and promises you made in your opening statement. You want to check your story provided to the jury in opening statement and show how various…

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  • A Recipe for an Effective Closing Argument

    Below is a summary of some thoughts dealing with closing arguments which I would like to share.  Like a good meal, a closing argument is something which requires careful preparation and a judicious mix of ingredients in the appropriate quantities.   Below is my recipe for an effective closing argument. Goals             While it may seem…