Defense Closing Argument Analysis

Annotated Bibliography

Kavinoky, D. (2012, May 4). Defense Closing Argument. Retrieved from https://www.nocuffs.com/california-criminal-defense-attorney-defense-closing-argument/

This source is an online article that provided very useful information on the various elements involved during the process of presenting a closing argument. Although the case Kavinoky uses an example of is in a California DUI/DWI trial it was still quite helpful to me in gaining better understanding and perspective of how a closing argument is demonstrated. A few of the steps listed in this article include how the defense attorney should follow up the prosecutor’s closing argument with an even stronger one, addresses weaknesses in the prosecutor’s case, and gains the

trust of the jury. Each of these steps along with those that I didn’t list taught me vital keys in how a defense attorney mindfully and successfully presents a closing argument. This was one of my most helpful sources while writing my closing argument.
Linder, D. O. (2017). Closing Argument of Johnnie Cochran in the O.J. Simpson Case. Retrieved from http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/Simpson/cochranclose.html
The source is an online webpage that provided excerpts from a defense attorney named Johnnie Cochran.

Cochran was the defense attorney for O.J. Simpson during the famous 1995 O.J. Simpson trial. Simpson was on trial for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. I found this page of excerpts very useful because it gave me a raw narrative of a closing argument in a real murder trial. The closing argument provided is a great example of arguing to prevail. Although this source only presents excerpts of Cochran’s closing argument, it still displays how good of an understanding he had of arguments to prevail. This is one of the many things I found to be the most helpful. I believe this is what significantly assisted him in creating the most effective argument. He wanted to achieve a specific goal of proving to the jury that Simpson was an innocent man on trial for murder. This was my most helpful source while writing my closing

argument.
Listrom, L. L. (2007). Trial Practice: Crafting a Closing Argument. Retrieved from https://www.americanbar.org/newsletter/publications/gp_solo_magazine_home/gp_solo_magazine_index/trialpractice_craftingclosing.html
This source is an online article that provided valuable knowledge on steps in creating a closing argument. In addition to information on understanding the purpose of a closing argument and tips on how to effectively present a closing argument. Although each of the tips were helpful, the one I found to be the most useful was to frame the issues for the jury. This tip means that the defense attorney should present a thorough explanation to the jury regarding what is essential to their resulting decision and what is not. This tip is very detailed in its explanation which is why I found it supportive. This was one of my most helpful sources while writing my closing argument.
McSorley, B. (2014, May 25). Closing Statement Example: Presenting a Legal Argument. Retrieved from https://blog.udemy.com/closing-statement-example/
This source is an online article that provided convenient information on what a closing argument is and what it entails. McSorley presents various key characteristics of a closing argument which is what I found to be the most useful. One of the characteristics that I found to be the most significant was that a closing argument must be persuasive. In addition, she also provided information on how to both write and organize a closing argument. This information helped me to improve my understanding of how to organize my closing argument better. Towards the end of the article, McSorley also provided both a fictional closing argument example and a famous closing argument example that displayed how productive closing arguments are written. This was one of my most helpful sources while writing my closing argument.
Mince-Didier, A. (2018). Closing Argument in Criminal Trials. Retrieved from https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/closing-argument-criminal-trials.html
This source is an online article that provided supportive information on both the purpose and limitations of closing arguments. Mince-Didier presented the primary components of what most closing arguments include. Although all of the factors displayed are significant, the two that I found the most crucial were a summary of evidence and a plea to the jury to take specific action. The summary of evidence component of a closing argument relates heavily to one of the key limits on closing arguments. It states that even though attorneys are given a sense of freedom during presenting their closing argument, he/she must not forget to make certain that it has a connection to the evidence that is presented at the specific trial. This information helped me by teaching me which limits are not to be overstepped by an attorney during closing arguments. This was one of my most helpful sources while writing my closing argument.
Reich, A. M., & Ellis, D. S. (2013, September 18). Closing Arguments: 10 Keys to a Powerful Summation. Retrieved from http://apps.americanbar.org/litigation/committees/youngadvocate/articles/fall2013-0913-closing-arguments-10-keys-powerful-summation.html
This is an online article that provided ten major keys to a closing argument. A few of these major keys include preparing the outline of your closing argument prior to your opening statement, knowing which points to emphasize, and using the evidence. Although each of the keys provided in this article were helpful, these were the ones I found to be the most useful. I think that both not being aware of these keys or implementing them while writing a closing argument can make for an unsuccessful and ineffective one. This information helped me by presenting me with ten of the most crucial components in building an effective closing argument. This was one of my most helpful sources while writing my closing argument.
Differences Between Opening Statements & Closing Arguments. (2018). Retrieved from http://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/about-educational-outreach/activity-resources/differences
This is an online article that provided information on the differences between opening statements and closing arguments.

This article gives a thoroughly detailed explanation of both an opening statement and closing argument. In addition, it also demonstrates what the key difference between the two is. It states that during opening statements, both sides (defending and prosecuting) are prevented from stating the evidence of the case. During closing arguments, both sides are free to use and state the evidence. Although all the given information was helpful, I found this source to be the least helpful while writing my closing

argument.