closing argument
Lawyer's final appeal
A closing argument is the final statement each side presents in a trial, summarizing evidence and making a persuasive case to the judge or jury.
Lawyers use closing arguments to frame the facts favorably and explain why their client should prevail: The defense's closing argument emphasized reasonable doubt.
The term extends to any final pitch or summation in debates or negotiations.
Legal decision-making body
- verdictOfficial court decision
- trialJudicial examination of claims
- courtroomJudicial proceedings chamber
- deliberationCareful weighing of choices
prosecution · defense · counsel · judge · burden of proof · evidence · testimony · exhibit
Art of persuasive language
- eloquencePersuasive verbal grace
- convinceCause to believe
- persuadeCause to believe
- compellingPowerfully engaging or persuasive
ethos · pathos · logos · sway · credibility · articulate · forceful · passionate
Adding to find total
- conclusionEnd or deduction
- wrap-upConcluding summary or review
- final statementConcluding spoken or written declaration
- last wordConcluding remark in debate
recapitulation · synthesis · capstone · culmination · peroration · sign-off · windup · final appeal
jury
Legal decision-making body
- verdictOfficial court decision
- trialJudicial examination of claims
- courtroomJudicial proceedings chamber
deliberation · prosecution · defense · counsel · judge · burden of proof · evidence · testimony · exhibit · instruction
rhetoric
Art of persuasive language
compelling · ethos · pathos · logos · sway · credibility · articulate · forceful · passionate · memorable
summation
Adding to find total
- conclusionEnd or deduction
- wrap-upConcluding summary or review
- final statementConcluding spoken or written declaration
last word · recapitulation · synthesis · capstone · culmination · peroration · sign-off · windup · final appeal · parting shot
- Criminal Procedurearraignment, arrest, grand jury, investigation, guilty plea
- trial preptrial exhibits, witness prep, mock trial, witness list, voir dire
- courtroomjudge, jury, oath taking, lawyer, bench
- courtroom expressionsobjection, sustained, overruled, all rise, guilty
- criminal trialarraignment, defense attorney, courtroom, criminal trial, prosecutor
- lawlaw, lawyer, lawyers, attorney, attorneys
closing argumentopening statement
First formal address
opening argument · opening remarks · voir dire · arraignment · indictment
closing argumentopening statement
First formal address
introduction · preamble · prologue · opening remarks · witness testimony
close, argue, argument, closed, closing, closer, arguing, enclose, closure