level

Level

DEBATES

closing statements
 I CAN

• Answer any lingering questions

 I CAN

• Answer any lingering questions

• Respond to any recent attacks from the other
side
 I CAN

• Answer any lingering questions

• Respond to any recent attacks from the other
side
• Restate the BIGGEST reasons why you side is
right
 I CAN

• Answer any lingering questions

• Respond to any recent attacks from the other
side
• Restate the BIGGEST reasons why you side is
right
• End in a strong, confident, memorable way.
 purpose

• To be able to impress the audience and change

their minds.
 What is closing statement?
When a lawyer or debater is DONE with all of the actual
arguing, then he or she gets one last shot to convince the judge:
the closing statement.
 What is closing statement?

The speech is a SUMMARY of all of the points that have been

discussed, kind of like the conclusion paragraph of an essay.
 What is closing statement?
An effective closing statement ties together all the pieces of a
trial and tell a compelling story.
 1
Now, let’s _________

List the components of

closing statement
 Closing argument should include:

• A summary of the evidence

 Closing argument should include:

• Any reasonable inferences that can be drawn from the

evidence
 Closing argument should include:

• An attack on any holes or weaknesses in the other side’s

case
 Closing argument should include:

• A summary of the law for the jury and a reminder to follow

it.
 Closing argument should include:

• A plea to the jury to take a specific action, such as convict,

acquit, or convict only on a lesser charge.
 Let’s play
An interactive named
 Rules

There will be provided different actions.

You should answer whether they are
allowed in Closing statements or not

If allowed answer “DO” otherwise answer

“DON’T”
 Let’s play

Use a Chronology
 Let’s play

Write Your Closing Argument at the Last

Minute
 Let’s play

Show Pull Quotes

 Let’s play

Get Personal
 Let’s play

Incorporate Charts, Graphs and Diagrams

 Let’s play

Overstate (or fabricate) Evidence

 Let’s play

Argue With a Theme

 Let’s play

Attack Opposing Counsel

 Let’s play

Bore the Jurors

 Let’s play

Read the Closing Argument

 Let’s play

Forget Rebuttal
 Flashcard revise
• Closing Statements must be based on evidence.
• Closing Statements cannot be irrelevant, confusing, or
prejudicial.
 What did we learn?

• A good closing statement can result in an

acquittal, a hung jury, or even a conviction
for a less serious offense.
 Thank you
and
See you soon 