Assignment: Closing Statement
Length: 4 to 6 pages.
Goal: The goal is to create a logically organized argument summarizing the evidence and the law that supports a verdict in your favor. This is your opportunity to create a persuasive argument to convince the trier of fact to adopt your position and rule in your favor. (I have provided the ABA guide on effective closing statements.)
Your job:
Prepare a written closing argument that clearly summarizes the evidence you have presented (or anticipate being presented) at trial and the law favoring your client's case. This is your chance to persuade the trier of fact that your position is the stronger of the two positions presented at trial. Your argument is confined to the evidence that was presented at trial in that you cannot offer new evidence or reference evidence that was not accepted by the court at trial. You should explain weaknesses in your opponent's argument while emphasizing strengths of your own case. Common sense arguments are frequently presented to paint a coherent picture of the evidence presented. As with the opening statement, it is improper to express your personal beliefs regarding the merits of the case which includes your personal view on the credibility of individual witnesses. You want to convince the trier of fact that both the law and the facts support a verdict in favor of your client. Your closing argument must be in support of the same party you chose to represent in the opening statement.
Format your assignment according to the give formatting requirements:
a. The answer must be double spaced, typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
b. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the course title, the student's name, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
c. Also include a reference page. The references and Citations should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.