opening argument
Lawyer's first presentation
An opening argument is a lawyer's initial address to the jury at the start of a trial, outlining what they intend to prove and previewing key evidence.
It's persuasive framing, not actual argument—attorneys present their narrative of events before witnesses testify: In her opening argument, the prosecutor described the defendant's movements that night.
Distinguished from closing argument, which comes after all evidence is presented.
Pursuing legal charges
- defenseProtection against harm
- caseContainer or instance
- trialJudicial examination of claims
- juryLegal decision-making body
testimony · evidence · plaintiff · defendant · counsel · verdict · pleadings · allegation
Art of persuasive language
- ethosCollective moral character
- pathosPity-evoking quality
- logosBrand identification symbols
- thesisAcademic argument requiring defense
premise · eloquence · credibility · compelling · convincing · articulate · coherent · engaging
Preliminary section or presentation
- overviewBroad general summary
- outlineSummary of key elements
- contextCircumstances shaping meaning
- backgroundOne's formative experiences
scope · purpose · thesis · preview · roadmap · framework · setup · foundation
Arranging things in advance
- tacticsMethods to achieve goals
- approachWay of handling something
- framingStructural or contextual shaping
- positioningArranging in specific locations
calculation · foresight · gameplan · anticipation · counterargument · preemptive · sequencing · anchoring
prosecution
Pursuing legal charges
jury · testimony · evidence · plaintiff · defendant · counsel · verdict · pleadings · allegation · rebuttal
rhetoric
Art of persuasive language
thesis · premise · eloquence · credibility · compelling · convincing · articulate · coherent · engaging · forceful
introduction
Preliminary section or presentation
background · scope · purpose · thesis · preview · roadmap · framework · setup · foundation · groundwork
preparation
Arranging things in advance
- tacticsMethods to achieve goals
- approachWay of handling something
- framingStructural or contextual shaping
positioning · calculation · foresight · gameplan · anticipation · counterargument · preemptive · sequencing · anchoring · priming
opening argumentclosing argument
Lawyer's final courtroom address
closing statement · summation · closing remarks · conclusion · final remarks
opening, argument, open, argue, opened, opens, opener, openers, openly