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Short, sweet, and specific: Effective openings and closings in oral argument

By Kyle R. Kroll

The first impression is the last impression.” It’s a familiar phrase and one that underscores the importance of oral argument. Briefing is usually the first opportunity to make an impression, but appearing before judges in person is often more influential. The opening volley of your oral argument is crucial. But the last impression can be just as important as the first. As the saying goes, “You never win at oral argument, but you certainly can lose.” Your closing lines are therefore mission-critical as well.

What are the hallmarks of a strong opening and closing in oral argument? Most scholarship about oral advocacy focuses on the middle of the argument—the substance. And there is little advice regarding how to make a powerful and persuasive beginning and end. 

To address this information gap, this article surveys just some of the great oral advocates from Minnesota and elsewhere. A review of openings and closings from these greats reveals three key insights: keep it short, sweet, and specific. 

Openings: Theme and roadmap—briefly

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg led with the following piece of advice in remarking on advocacy: “Be brief, be pointed.” 1 For openings, this typically means beginning with a thematic statement and a roadmap of your main points. 2  

The thematic statement should remind the court of the nature of the case and reiterate your client’s story. And the roadmap should introduce  no more than three key points you wish to make. As one practitioner put it: “Write out an introduction that, from the very first sentence, captures the panel’s attention, frames the appeal and the issues, and presents a compelling narrative why your client should prevail….” 3 It’s important that the theme not overshadow the roadmap, however. 4 Although some scholars suggest completing the roadmap in 30 seconds—because sometimes that’s as much time as you will have before an interruption 5 —anything up to 60 seconds should suffice.  

Take, for example, this effective opener in Romag Fasteners, Inc. v. Fossil , Inc. , from one of the most prolific appellate attorneys in U.S. Supreme Court history, 6 Lisa S. Blatt:

The Lanham Act authorizes courts to remedy trademark violations by awarding infringers profits subject to the principles of equity. The question presented here is whether this phrase, “principles of equity,” requires trademark owners to prove willfulness as an absolute precondition to profit awards. The answer is no for three reasons: First, the phrase “principles of equity” signifies a multifactor analysis where no one factor is controlling. Second, the statutory text and structure supersede any settled willfulness requirement. And, third, there was no such settled background willfulness requirement. 7

To avoid an interruption and ensure you make your key points, consider former U.S. Solicitor General Paul D. Clement’s succinct opening in United States Forest Service v. Cowpasture River Preservation Association :

Respondents’ effort to convert all of the land traversed by a Park Service-administered trail into lands in the National Park Service fails for reasons of text, context, and consequences. 8

Clement’s very short roadmap identifies three key points (text, context, and consequences), while promoting the narrative that the respondent is trying to convert private into public land. 

Sometimes it is best to focus the inquiry on the single most dispositive and pressing issue, just as future Chief Judge John R. Tunheim (District of Minnesota) did in Growe v. Emison :

Redistricting is a power and responsibility that is reserved to the states in the first instance. This case presents the Court with an opportunity to illuminate that important principle and clarify the apparent confusion in the lower federal courts. I intend to direct my argument this morning to the abstention issue: Did the federal court err by refusing to abstain to an ongoing state judicial proceeding? And the case presents perhaps one of the most stark examples of what can go wrong when there are jurisdictional disputes in the redistricting process. 9

Nicole A. Saharsky (a University of Minnesota Law School graduate and also one of the most prolific attorneys to argue in front of the U.S. Supreme Court) 10 offered a shorter and sweeter opener on a key issue in DePierre v. United States :

Whether you call it freebase, coca paste or crack, it’s the same thing chemically. It is cocaine base, it is smokeable, it has the same effects on the user; and Congress did not limit the statute to one form of cocaine basis. This court should not do it, either. 11

Aaron Van Oort focused the Court in on a dispositive issue after opening with a strong thematic point and summarizing the compelling facts: 

This case tests and exceeds the very outermost limits of what a person may be insured against under Nebraska law. In 2006, Commander David Kofoed of the Douglas County CSI unit committed the reprehensible act of planting false blood evidence against two innocent men in a murder investigation. For this criminal misconduct he was both convicted of a class four felony and it resulted in the civil judgments that are underlying this proceeding. In this appeal, the plaintiffs are arguing on his behalf—Commander Kofoed—that he has insurance coverage for the damages arising out of his wrongdoing, even for the punitive damages that were awarded against him. That’s incorrect under Nebraska law because Nebraska affirmatively forbids its political subdivisions like Douglas County, his employer, from paying civil judgments that arise out of criminal wrongdoing, whether they do it through insurance or otherwise. 12

In each of these examples, the advocate’s winning opening was short, sweet, and specific. The openings usually include one or more thematic sentences. Theme appeals to ethics and morality, while the roadmap that introduces the key points appeals to logic. These advocates strive not only to show the court that their positions are right, but also that their clients are in the right .  Sometimes the advocates focus on one key issue, but where there is more than one, they often use signposts (“first,” “second,” “third”) to provide verbal organization in their roadmap. The opening roadmaps are short, even though they often paint a clear picture with salient facts or legal principles. Notice also the use of vivid and concrete language—the “sweet” part of the opening that often grabs attention. Further, the openings either implicitly or explicitly call for the court to make a certain holding (reverse, remand, etc.). Short, sweet, and specific. 

Closings: Make a compelling point, and tell the court what you want

Closings should also be short, sweet, and specific. Admittedly, advocates often have little—or no—time for a planned closing. Questions that arise during oral argument regularly fill up that space, and the lawyer runs out of time, only to offer a short “Thank you” at the end. But when time permits, the greats include closings that are short, sweet, and specific. 

For example, in Weinberger v. Wiesenfeld , future Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg offered this concise and compelling closing: 

In sum, appellee respectfully requests that the judgment below be affirmed, thereby establishing that under this nation’s fundamental law, the woman worker’s national social insurance is no less valuable to her family than is the social insurance of the working man. 13  

Justice Ginsburg’s closing is a model of short, sweet, and specific. She concisely boils down the issue on appeal to a clear ultimatum. She asks for specific relief: that the judgment be affirmed. The Court agreed. 

Appeals to bedrock principles—a version of “sweet”—are common among the greats. Eric J. Magnuson, in Padden Law Firm, PLLC v. Bridget Trice, appealed to core principles of client autonomy and choice:

Mr. Padden got the case in the door, he got some lawyers to handle it, and then he disappeared. And at the end of the day, he wants to get his full 30 percent contract because, if you read their brief, a contract is a contract. It’s not when it comes to attorneys’ fees. Not under Minnesota law. Judge Montgomery did the right thing by honoring the client’s wishes. This was a decision by Bridgett Trice and Quincy Adams, that they wanted the lawyers who really got them their recovery to be appropriately rewarded. They have the right as clients to do that, and if you’re going to worry about public policy, the public policy should be in recognizing the client’s interests and protecting those interests. Thank you. 14

Like openings, the best closings share short, sweet, and specific qualities. Effective closings don’t belabor points, but instead reiterate the key points in simple and motivational terms. Prolific advocates inject personal style into their delivery. They include strong themes and narratives that appeal to ethics, morality, and justice. And they implicitly or explicitly ask the court to take a certain action, leaving little room for ambiguity. 

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to success in oral argument. But these winning examples provide useful guidance to practitioners. Keeping openings and closings brief, compelling, and on-point are key ingredients in making a lasting and persuasive impression. 

KYLE R. KROLL is an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota Law School and an attorney at Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A. in Minneapolis, where he practices business litigation at both the trial and appellate levels. The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone, and not of any other person or organization.

The author expresses special thanks to Miriam Solomon for her research assistance and contributions to this article.

1 Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Remarks on Appellate Advocacy, 50 S.C.L.R. 567, 571 (1999).

2 See Stephanie A. Vaughan, Experiential Learning, Moving Forward in Teaching Oral Advocacy Skills by Looking Back at the Origins of Rhetoric, 59 S. Tex. L.R. 121 (2017); Sylvia H. Walbolt, Openings in Appellate Oral Arguments, Carlton Fields (3/22/2019). https://www.carltonfields.com/insights/publications/2019/openings-in-appellate-oral-arguments 

3 George W. Hicks, Jr. Oral Argument: A Guide to Preparation and Delivery for the First-Timer, KIRKLAND & ELLIS (8/16/2019). h ttps://www.kirkland.com/publications/article/2019/08/oral-argument_a-guide-to-preparation-and-delivery  

4 Emily R. Bodtke, Arguing at the Appellate Level, Bench & Bar of Minn., April 2017, at 35 (“[I]t is far better to use the limited time available to explain why the law supports a desired outcome, rather than pontificate about the wrongs committed against a client.”).

5 See Hicks, Jr., supra. 

6 See Marlene Trestman, Women Advocates Before the Supreme Court , The Supreme Court Historical Society (5/21/2021). https://supremecourthistory.org/women-advocates-beforethe-supreme-court/ 

7 Romag Fasteners, Inc. v. Fossil, Inc., Oyez, https://www.oyez.org/cases/2019/18-1233 (last visited 8/26/2021). For more information about this case, in which Ms. Blatt faced off against Mr. Katyal, see Kyle R. Kroll, Lanham Act Disgorgement Just Go More Complicated, Bench & Bar of Minn. (Dec. 2020), https://www.mnbar.org/resources/publications/bench-bar/columns/2020/12/01/lanham-act-disgorgement-just-got-more-complicated. 

8 United states Forest Service v. Cowpasture River Preservation Association, Oyez, https://www.oyez.org/cases/2019/18-1584 (last visited 8/26/2021).

9 Growe v. Emison, Oyez , https://www.oyez.org/cases/1992/91-1420 (last visited 8/26/2021).

10 See Tresman, supra.

11 DePierre v. United States , Oyez, https://www.oyez.org/cases/2010/09-1533 (last visited 8/26/2021).

12 Sampson v. Lambert, Nos. 17-1104, 17-1106, 17-1114, 17-1117 (8th Cir. 2018), http://media-oa.ca8.uscourts.gov/OAaudio/2018/2/171104.MP3 

13 Weinberger v. Wiesenfeld , Oyez, https://www.oyez.org/cases/1974/73-1892 (last visited 8/26/2021).

14 Padden Law Firm, PLLC v. Trice , Nos. 18-2451, 18-2576 (8th Cir. 2019) . http://media-oa.ca8.uscourts.gov/OAaudio/2019/10/182451.MP3

KYLE R. KROLL  is an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota Law School and an attorney at Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A. in Minneapolis, where he practices business litigation at both the trial and appellate levels. The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone, and not of any other person or organization.

The author expresses special thanks to Miriam Solomon for her research assistance and contributions to this article.

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• Tips on Oral Advocacy

A Primer to Oral Argument

For those yet unfamiliar with the in's and out's of moot court oral argument, the following should serve as a guide.  For further guidance, consult a member of the Moot Court Board and/or view a video recording of past Hardt Cup or Dean's Cup finals.

Structure & Sequence

• Opening Competitors should wait quietly in the hallway outside of the room to which they are assigned for tryouts until the judges ask them to enter.  Competitors may be seated after the judges sit down.  When the judges indicate that they are ready, the student should rise and approach the podium or lectern.  
• Introduction The very first statement out of moot court competitors' mouths should always be, "May it please the Court, my name is _____, counsel for the [appellant/appellee], _____."  It is very important to remember to say, "May it please the Court;" it is a well-established formality of moot court competition, to which you should adhere.  
• Theme Competitors should always begin an argument with a clear and persuasive statement explaining the essence of the case.  This statement should be confident, succinct, and, to the extent possible, slanted in favor of the competitor's version of the case.  For example, in a case where United States Armed Forces used a drone to attack individuals in a country with which the United States is not at war, counsel for the government might state the case in the following way:  "This is a case about the limits of territorial sovereignty in the face of global terrorism."  
• Roadmap After introducing herself and the case, but before making any further argument, a competitor should identify the TWO or THREE (but no more than three) issues she will discuss.  Make these issues  clear  and  straightforward .  For example, "This Court should find in favor of the [appellant/appellee] for two reasons...."  You should then list your main arguments.  For example, "...First, because this Court does not have jurisdiction; and Second, because customary international law is applicable in this case and is on the side of the [appellant/appellee]" If you think of (and/or organize) your oral argument in outline form, the two or three reasons contained within your roadmap should be the highest levels of your outline (below the conclusion you want the Court to reach).  The body of your argument should expand below the reasons you list in your roadmap.  The roadmap gives judges an overarching picture of the more nuanced argument that will follow. Memorize your opening and your roadmap . The most successful oral advocates memorize their opening roadmap and maintain eye contact with the judges throughout.  This is the best way to make a good first impression of confidence and preparedness.  
• Order of Argument Begin the body of your argument by discussing the first issue in your roadmap.  Make your argument, and then proceed directly to your second issue.  There is no need to pause or to solicit questions.  The judges will interrupt you with questions as they wish.  Answer their questions directly and use your roadmap and outline to find an appropriate place at which to continue arguing.  
• Conclusion When you have finished your argument, end with a clear statement of what you are asking the Court to do (a "prayer for relief").  For example, "...For the foregoing reasons, I respectfully request that the Court find in favor of the [appellant/appellee] and [take whatever specific action is specified in the materials]."

Etiquette & Style

• At all times, judges are to be referred to as "Your Honor," with respect and deference.  
• Do not bring pens, pencils, or loose watches with you to the podium.  Limit shifting around and excessive hand gestures while at the podium. Many competitors keep their hands on each side of the podium to prevent this.  
• Approach your oral argument as a conversation with, not a lecture to, the judges.  Engage in an exchange of ideas with the judges and respond to their concerns.  Don't read a speech to them.  
• Be aware that  at any time  during your argument, the judges can and will interrupt you with questions.  It is vital that you fully answer the question to the best of your ability  when the judge asks it .  Do not tell a judge that you will answer that particular question later in your argument.  Go where the judge leads you, even if that means not following the argument that you planned.  Don't let this aspect of moot court competition frustrate or distract you.  Part of the challenge is adapting to and taking into consideration the judges' concerns, while finding the time and opportunity to still voice the important parts of your argument.  
• If you do not understand the question a judge asks, ask him/her to explain or clarify the inquiry.  It is fully acceptable to ask for clarification and almost always preferable to answering a question the judge did not really ask.  
• If a judge asks a "yes" or "no" question, answer first with "yes" or "no" -- then elaborate.  For example, reply with, "Yes, Your Honor, in fact ...," or "No, Your Honor, rather ...."  
• Never speak over a judge .  When a judge starts talking, you should stop talking  immediately , even if he or she has interrupted you mid-sentence (or even mid-word).  
• It is okay to stand firm in  respectful  disagreement with a judge as long as you can back up your position with a well-reasoned argument.  
• At the end of your presentation, the judges or bailiff (if one is present) will show you a "STOP" card.  Once you see the "STOP" card, immediately stop speaking.  If you are still speaking when you see the "STOP" card is presented, ask the Court if you may finish your thought or answer by saying, “Your Honors, may I briefly conclude?”  If the Court says, "Yes," then finish your thought or answer, but  do not take advantage of the Court's generosity :  Finish  only  that thought or answer, and then retire.  Do not make new arguments.  
• When you finish your argument (or run out of time), thank the Court and sit down.

Preparing Your Oral Argument

• Know your arguments completely.  In planning your presentation, make sure to highlight and make a theme of your case's merits.  But also anticipate problems for your side and prepare responses to questions the judges are likely to ask or to issues that opposing counsel is likely to raise in his or her presentation.  
• Understand the basic premise of each of the supplementary materials.  You need not memorize all of the material given, but an understanding of the connections among the documents will benefit your argument and allow you to better formulate answers to questions from the Court.  
• Focus on the two most important arguments in the problem.  They should constitute your entire argument.  Oral arguments are brief, so you must delve into only the most important ( and convincing ) arguments available to your side.  With the 10 minutes of argument and two minutes of rebuttal that you have, do not attempt to argue all the points raised in the memorial or all the potential issues you have anticipated having to discuss in response to the judges' questions.  
• Always focus on why your side is right, rather than on why the other side is wrong.  When crafting your argument, put yourself in the judges' position.  Look for the weaknesses in your argument, anticipate the questions judges might ask, and plan responses that transition to the merits of your position.  
• Knowing when to make concessions without weakening the core of your argument is an important skill of oral advocacy.  If both sides of the case did not both have real strengths and weaknesses, if the case should have clearly been decided one way or another, it simply wouldn't even be before the court.  It is okay to stand firm in  respectful  disagreement with a judge, and it is okay to admit a weakness in your case, as long as it doesn't undermine the basis of your argument.  
• DO NOT WRITE OUT AN ENTIRE SPEECH to deliver to the judges.  Instead it is a good idea to make a brief outline to help you remember the key arguments and issues of your case, and to note key treatises and cases.  Try to limit your outline to one or two sheets of paper.  Use key words and phrases to jog your memory.  While you should certainly have some idea of what your argument sounds like -- what words you will use beyond your outline -- reading a speech is simply not persuasive.  Reading is one of the most common mistakes made by inexperienced oral advocates.  Approach your argument as a conversation with, not a lecture to, the judges.

Preparing for your argument? Here are some other tips from faculty members and members of the Moot Court Board

General tips

What is the best thing an oral advocate can do.

"Be confident. Even great advocates aren't perfect, and not every case is a winner, but presenting your arguments with assurance and speaking in a clear, forthright tone makes all the difference."

"Be prepared for all levels of knowledge in a judge. You never really know in advance if you have a judge who glanced at the bench brief or a judge who's spent a 30-year career practicing in exactly the area of law you're discussing. Learn to read a judge's comfort level with the material, and adjust the detail and complexity of your argument accordingly. Persuasion isn't always the art of having the most details — it's about knowing your audience and tailoring your message."

"Lead with your strongest point rather than building up to it. You should have an outline of your argument and be ready to proceed if you are not interrupted early on, but it's unlikely that you will get through many of your remarks as prepared. Accordingly, be sure to amplify the most important aspect of the case at the start and try to articulate the theme of your argument in the first sentence or two."

"Be able to steer the conversation by smoothly transitioning between questions and arguments. Doing so also creates a convincing yet conversational style that puts judges at ease."

"Where possible, weave into your argument the idea that you are not only correct on the law, but also seeking a just result. Although focused on the legal analysis, the judges are attuned to fairness considerations and can be persuaded by them in a close case."

"When asked a question, answer it directly. When possible start with a yes or no, but if the short answer requires a qualification to protect your client’s position, immediately follow the yes or no with that qualification."

What is the biggest mistake oral advocates make?

"Showing nerves."

"Being too formal. Even at the highest levels of appellate advocacy, an oral argument is closer to a conversation that an oration."

"Starting to give an answer before thinking about what to say. Advocates often rush into answering a question, fearing two seconds of silence, and then flounder or reverse course as they reformat their answers on the fly. It's always better to take a beat to be sure you know what you want to say before you start speaking."

"The most serious error at oral argument is not listening carefully to the questions and thus failing to address the concerns raised by the judges."

"Making a concession (one is almost never necessary, and you should be able to defend your ground on all levels)."  

Preparation for your Argument

What is the best way to prepare for oral arguments.

"Become comfortable with the record."

"Be able to articulate the standard of review applicable to the questions presented, and understand the appellate court's latitude with respect to each issue. Anticipate jurisdictional questions, and know the court's procedural options for resolving the case."

"Think about the limiting principles that can prevent unintended consequences of ruling in your favor. The judges will likely ask questions about the impact of your requested relief on hypothetical future cases. Assuage concerns about the proverbial slippery slope."

"Backstop your argument so that when it becomes apparent that a judge disagrees with your position about one point, you can say that even if the court doesn't accept that premise, you should still prevail, on some narrower ground."

"Try to put yourself in the place of the judges and think about but what questions they would ask and work on short, clear and accurate answers to all of them."

"Research, research, research. Then think about how to explain the case and your arguments in a compelling way."

"Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. Practice out loud. Get comfortable with the way your argument sounds and with saying the names of the parties, cases, and statutes. Get comfortable with the language of the case, with the particulars, and it will be easy to talk about them fluidly without looking at your notes."

What does a successful oral advocate's outline look like?

"Short! A few key words on different points and maybe a phrase you want to repeat as theme of the case."

"No more than two pages, with annotated points in at least size 14 font. The outline should only be there as a backup, and it should be very easy to find the information you need."

"You won't be able to read your notes, so include only a few, useful "trigger" words. Ideally, you should know your case so well the notes are superfluous."

How much of an argument should be memorized?

"Memorize your introduction so that you can make eye contact with the court. Memorize the last paragraph so that your ending seems planned, rather than an afterthought."

"Be aware of the questions you will likely be asked. Although you will not be able to actually memorize answers to these questions, you should know in advance how you plan to respond. Internalize the substance of those responses, rather than memorizing the words, so that you can shape your arguments to fit the actual questions the judges ask."  

During the Argument

What is the most effective way to use the cases or other provided material.

"Cite to the names of cases only if (1) the legal rule is disputed and you are trying to convince the court that your version of the rule is the right one or (2) you are analogizing to a case to show the court why it should rule for you."

"Know the record very well and be prepared to answer every possible question about the facts or the proceedings below. Except in response to questions, though, oral argument is not the time to recite the facts of the case."

"Cases are most persuasive when they directly support your point or when they are strong analogies to a point you are making."

"Remember that arguments are short and spending too much time on citations will take away from the substance of your argument. It's great to look knowledgeable, but it's bad to look showy."

"Make sure that you're aware of what they mean and stand for and their relative chronological order."

What should you do if you think your competitor has a misstated a fact?

"Always be respectful of your opponent. However, if he or she has misstated a material fact, be sure to correct it and to do so in a way that shows how the correct fact helps your argument."

"You may correct them graciously. Say something like: 'I believe my opponent misspoke when discussing this point' or 'I would just like to clarify a point from the record'."

What should you do if you make a mistake?

"Don't freak out. If it is an important point, take a deep breath, clarify your point (walk it back if possible), and don't let the judges see you flustered."

"Don’t try to cover up the obvious with a lame explanation or excuse. Forthrightly admit that you said something wrong. For example, when I said X I was wrong, the correct response would have been Y."

How should you conclude?

"Short and powerful. No need for showy theatrics. In one sentence, tell the court what you want it to do and why it should do it."

"Often, an effective ending is a “bookend” to your opening in which you pick up on a phrase or theme you used in the opening."

"Ending shortly before your time expires leaves a great impression."

How do you make the most of a rebuttal?

"Don't respond to all of your opponent’s points. Just hit the biggest one or two on which his argument rests. Leave the court with sense of wanting to rule for your side and how they should do that."

"Rebut your opponent only on important points where (1) you were hurt and (2) you have the ammunition to do something about it."

"Think big, but narrow. Don't go after a minute detail or slipup by the opposing side, but don't try to overview the whole round either. Figure out what the one key issue is that the judge(s) seem to care about the most, and give a clear, straightforward reason why your side won that issue."

What kind of feedback might a competitor want to seek from a judge?

"What can you do better? What worked well? What was convincing/unconvincing in the argument?"

"Was there an effective argument I failed to make?"

In this section

• General Information
• Dean's Cup
• Interscholastic Moot Court Competitions

Mastering the Art of Legal Presentations: Essential Tips and Tricks

Table of contents.

Navigating through law school and legal careers, budding attorneys realize that mastering the art of presentation is as crucial as knowing the letter of the law. Whether it's arguing a mock trial, presenting a case in court, or persuading peers during a seminar, effective presentation skills can set you apart in the competitive field of law. This Q&A post delves into some of the most commonly asked questions about law presentations and offers presentation hacks aimed at making you a more compelling legal communicator.

Do Presentation Skills Really Matter for Lawyers?

Absolutely! In the legal profession, presenting ideas and arguments clearly and persuasively is critical to success. The American Bar Association emphasizes the importance of honing presentation skills from law school onwards; being persuasive and articulate is a part of your toolkit as an attorney.

What Are Some Effective Presentation Hacks for Legal Professionals?

Start With a Clear Message : Know the core message of your presentation and keep it concise. A clear thesis helps you stay on track and makes your argument more digestible for your audience.

Understand Your Audience : Gauge the level of understanding your audience has about the topic. Presenting to peers might require a different approach than speaking to a jury or a judge.

Use Storytelling : A legal case is essentially a story with a problem and a resolution. Tapping into the power of storytelling can make your presentation more engaging and memorable.

Practice, Practice, Practice : Rehearse your presentation multiple times. This helps reduce nervousness and ensures you're comfortable with the material.

Seek Feedback : Before your presentation, practice in front of colleagues or mentors and ask for constructive criticism to sharpen your delivery.

How Can I Overcome Public Speaking Anxiety Before a Legal Presentation?

Facing a courtroom or an auditorium can be intimidating, but there are strategies to combat this anxiety. Preparing thoroughly is a start; being familiar with every aspect of your presentation can alleviate fear. Additionally, techniques like deep breathing, visualization, and positive self-talk can be beneficial. Moreover, watching inspiring TED Talks on public speaking can provide valuable insights into overcoming fears and delivering impactful messages.

For those looking for a comprehensive solution to enhance their presentation skills, we suggest exploring various features of presentation-focused tools and platforms. While not a substitute for personal practice, these tools can offer unique insights and aid in your delivery. For instance, the features section on College Tools may provide some interesting avenues to explore.

What Role Does Body Language Play in Legal Presentations?

Your physical presence can be as compelling as the words you speak. A poised stance, eye contact, and intentional gestures can convey confidence and help underscore your points. Posture and movement can non-verbally communicate passion for your subject matter and connect with your audience on a more profound level.

Can Technology Help in Improving my Presentations?

Definitely! Technology and AI-powered tools can assist in fine-tuning your presentations. They can help in organizing content, providing cues, and even analyzing your pace and tone. Embracing technology can also make your presentations more dynamic, engaging audiences with multimedia elements that might not be possible with traditional methods.

How Important Is the Quality of Visual Aids in Legal Presentations?

Visual aids should not distract from the message but rather support it. High-quality, pertinent visuals can reinforce your argument or help to clarify complex concepts. Carefully consider your choice of visuals, whether they're diagrams, timelines, or other graphical elements; they should be professionally rendered and easy to understand.

Becoming an effective legal presenter takes time, practice, and a willingness to learn from each experience. Employing the right presentation hacks , understanding the significance of effective communication , and continuing to build upon public speaking skills will prove invaluable throughout your legal career. Strive for clarity, conciseness, and connection with your audience, and you'll be better equipped to make your case, inside and outside the courtroom.

Conclusion: Strong presentation skills are a foundational element of a successful legal career. This Q&A has addressed critical aspects of delivering compelling legal presentations, offering insights and hacks to help you polish your communication prowess. Remember, the journey to becoming an articulate legal professional is ongoing; continue learning, practicing, and adapting to become the best presenter you can be.

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• About the Monroe E Price Media Law Moot Court Competition
• Afghanistan

Preparing for the Oral Rounds

Introductory Guide to Making Oral Arguments:

Participant's Moot Guide - Oral Rounds

An introductory written guide to oral arguments designed for students who are participating for the first time ever in a moot court competition.

Basic Presentation Skills:

Oxford University Mooting Co-ordinator, Nick Friedman, gives aspiring mooters advice on the basics of oral presentation, including how to structure your speech, how to deal with judges questions, as well as tone and voice.

Advanced Presentation Skills:

7 tips that will turn you from a good mooter into a great mooter, including listening and responding concisely to judges and preparing the story to take the judges through the different components of your argument.

On this page

5 Presentation Skills Every Lawyer Needs

Speaking in front of an audience can be daunting, even for the most eloquent among us. However, for lawyers, the ability to speak confidently and persuasively is not just a nice to have. Whether you’re an experienced barrister, a solicitor presenting a complex case to a client, or a junior legal professional in an internal team meeting, effective presentation skills are the cornerstone of success .

Lawyers who are strong communicators and are great at public speaking not only win cases, they can save time and money, while also continually building trust and understanding with clients and their teams. Our recent SME Law Firm research report highlights just how important these core communication skills are, with 60% of firms citing client relationship management and 58% good communication skills as two of the biggest factors adding value to their firms’ client service, quality and reputation.

As a lawyer you spend most of your day communicating, and presenting and speaking publicly form a large part of that communication, whether it’s day-to-day meetings and team presentations, explaining a client’s options available to them or representing them in court, or networking for business development.

This blog delves into the key presentation skills every lawyer needs, how they can play a key part in helping you become a more influential and impactful lawyer at every stage of your career, and how you can practise these skills.

1. The power of storytelling in law

Storytelling is at the heart of practising law. James Boyd White, an American law professor, literary critic, scholar, author and philosopher, was cited in Chris Rideout’s article Storytelling, Narrative Rationality, and Legal Persuasion , as saying: “The law always begins in story: usually in the story the client tells, whether he or she comes in off the street for the first time or adds in a phone call another piece of information to a narrative with which the lawyer has been long, perhaps too long, familiar. It ends in story, too, with a decision by a court or jury, or an agreement between the parties, about what happened and what it means.”

It’s clear that facts alone can’t win cases – developing a compelling narrative can make all the difference to whether you win or lose a case or a client. Litigators use storytelling as a key part of their cases and great lawyers use storytelling to build descriptive and analytical depictions of events in their client’s favour, which can impact and influence decisions.

Here’s how to practise your legal storytelling skills

Start strong:

Begin your presentation with something that will grab your listeners’ attention. Whether it’s a hard-hitting statistic, a thought-provoking question or a relevant anecdote, make sure you spend some time thinking about how you open your presentation. Close equally strong too!

People connect with others and their stories on a human level, so tapping into the human/emotional side of the narrative can be incredibly powerful in strengthening your narrative and influencing your audience.

Go beyond facts:

Don’t just present the facts, help your audience understand the ‘why’ behind them. What are the stakes involved? Why should they care about the outcome? Why should they pick you?

2. Structuring Your Arguments for Impact

You may build storytelling into your presentations, but even the most captivating narratives can fall flat without a strong foundation. Organisation is key to a powerful presentation that guides your audience through your reasoning clearly and concisely.

David Emanuel KC, a renowned criminal defence lawyer, shared valuable insight on winning arguments with the Guardian, stating: “You have to know the facts and the law back to front, but also you have to be trustworthy and part of that is making concessions. If you have weaker points or arguments, conceding they are weaker without throwing them away can make your stronger points more credible. It can also be disarming, and throw people off guard.” He adds: “Stubbornly seeming not to concede any ground at all can damage your overall position.”

Just as acknowledging weaker points builds trust and strengthens your overall position in court, a well-structured presentation acknowledges the complexity of legal issues while guiding your audience clearly and concisely.

Here’s how to ensure your presentation is as impactful as it is informative:

Map it out:

Map out your presentation beforehand to provide a roadmap for your audience – let them know where you’re taking them and why.

The power of three:

Structure your presentation with a clear introduction, body and conclusion. The “power of three” is a useful tool for structuring your arguments or key points and making them easier to remember, and you can always adopt Aristotle’s approach for impact: “Tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you just told them.”

Smooth transitions:

Using clear transitions to signal shifts in your arguments/points can help your audience follow your train of thought and retain key points. Phrases like ‘furthermore’, ‘building on this point’, or ‘in conclusion’, can effectively guide your audience through your presentation.

3. Using Visual Aids Strategically

It’s no secret that attention spans are shrinking and the ability to capture and retain your audience’s attention is getting harder and harder. Bearing this in mind when developing legal presentations is crucial. While facts and figures are important, there can be a tendency to want to include everything in a visual aid. It’s worth remembering that the human brain is wired to process visuals faster and more effectively than text – this is known as the ‘ picture superiority effect ‘. However, clarity remains paramount – avoid cluttering your slides with excessive visuals that become overwhelming.

Here’s how to leverage visuals effectively:

Simplify the complex:

Use visuals like charts, graphs, infographics and images that strategically simplify complex legal concepts or key points.  Think of them as visual aids, not a replacement for clear communication.

Focus on impact:

Make sure visuals are used to complement and directly support your arguments/points and focus on graphics that bring visual impact and clarity.

Practice makes perfect:

Practise using your visual aids seamlessly to avoid technical glitches that can disrupt your presentation flow. Additionally, set up your laptop and screen well in advance to eliminate last-minute technical hiccups and pre-presentation jitters.

4. Mastering Nonverbal Communication

They say it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. In the legal sector, where persuasion reigns supreme, this statement especially rings true. The ability to project confidence through nonverbal communication can be the tipping point in a presentation or courtroom argument.

Albert Mehrabian’s 7-38-55 Communication Model states that 7% of the meaning of feelings and attitudes is conveyed through the words we use in spoken communications, while 38% is communicated through tone and voice, and the remaining 55% through our body language (specifically our facial expressions). This highlights why we can’t ignore nonverbal communication as lawyers, but also in our everyday lives.

Here’s how to harness the power of body language and vocal delivery:

Maintain strong posture:

Stand tall with balanced weight distribution and project confidence through your body language. This will also open up your chest so you can take deeper breaths and project your voice better.

Make eye contact:

Connect with your audience by making eye contact with different individuals throughout your presentation. This fosters a sense of connection and trust.

Modulate your voice:

Vary the pace and volume of your speech to keep the audience engaged. Avoid a monotone delivery, as it can make people switch off to what you are saying.

5. Practice makes perfect

We cannot overstate the importance of rehearsing presentations out loud. Bill Gates called Steve Jobs a “wizard” who casts spells on his audience with his presentation skills. Fortune magazine said his keynotes could set hearts aflutter and his presentations alone could spark surges in Apple’s stock. As a lawyer, you’re looking to make a different impact, but Jobs’s secret wasn’t natural talent or status, it was relentless practice.

“Most people don’t realise what looked spontaneous was rehearsed over and over,” revealed John Sculley, former Apple CEO. “Every word, step, and demo was meticulously planned.”

The same dedication to meticulous preparation applies to lawyers. While legal expertise is key, the ability to deliver your arguments or pitches with clarity and confidence is just as important.

Here’s how to refine your presentation and become a more impactful legal communicator:

Rehearse out loud:

Rehearse your presentations out loud, ideally in front of a trusted colleague or even group, if you can. This allows you to get live feedback, refine your delivery, identify areas for improvement, and build confidence. Going over your presentation in your mind isn’t the same as delivering it to an audience!

Use recording tools:

Record yourself practising and watch it back to identify areas for improvement in delivery and body language.

Practice within timeframes:

Ensure your presentation stays within the allotted time frame if you have one. Rehearse to gauge your delivery speed and adjust as needed. The more you can rehearse, the less chance you have of cracking under pressure.

Mastering presentation skills is indispensable for lawyers who wish to excel in their careers. The ability to develop compelling narratives, structure arguments effectively, use visual aids strategically, project confidence through nonverbal communication, and refine delivery through practice are crucial elements that elevate a lawyer’s effectiveness. Ultimately, these skills are not just about winning cases – they are about building trust and lasting relationships with clients, gaining the respect of peers, and enhancing the overall quality and reputation of legal services.

Investing in Your Future with BARBRI’s Online Courses

Building a successful legal career requires a strong foundation and equipping yourself with strong presentation skills doesn’t have to be overwhelming. BARBRI offers a range of affordable, on-demand online courses including our Presenting Masterclass as part of our #LegalLifeSkills programme.

• Flexible learning: Our courses are designed for busy schedules. They’re short, on-demand, and packed with practical tips and real-world examples you can put into action immediately.
• Expert-led instruction: Our courses are developed and delivered by legal professionals with extensive industry experience.
• Cost-effective: Compared to traditional in-person training, our online courses offer a cost-effective way to advance your business development skills.
• Convenient access: Learn from anywhere, anytime at your own pace. All you need is an internet connection.

To find out more, enrol today or request a call back visit Legal Life Skills .

Interested in our Communication Skills for Legal Professionals courses? View our upcoming courses here.

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Oral Communication and Presentation Skills for Legal and Business Professionals

This course provides a foundational summary of how to approach oral business communications.

What you can learn.

• Learn how to approach oral business communications
• Learn how to communicate during meetings with colleagues and clients
• Gain an understanding of how to develop your objective and tone appropriate for your audience
• Learn how to prepare for your presentation

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42 CFR § 8.27 - Opportunity for oral presentation.

(a) Electing oral presentation. If an opportunity for an oral presentation is desired, the appellant shall request it at the time it submits its written request for review to the reviewing official . The reviewing official will grant the request if the official determines that the decision-making process will be substantially aided by oral presentations and arguments. The reviewing official may also provide for an oral presentation at the official's own initiative or at the request of the respondent .

(b) Presiding official. The reviewing official or designee will be the presiding official responsible for managing the oral presentations.

(c) Preliminary conference. The presiding official may hold a prehearing conference (usually a telephone conference call) to consider any of the following: Simplifying and clarifying issues; stipulations and admissions; limitations on evidence and witnesses that will be presented at the hearing; time allotted for each witness and the hearing altogether; scheduling the hearing; and any other matter that will assist in the review process. Normally, this conference will be conducted informally and off the record; however, the presiding official may, at the presiding official's discretion, produce a written document summarizing the conference or transcribe the conference.

(d) Time and place of oral presentation. The presiding official will attempt to schedule the oral presentation within 45 days of the date appellant 's request for review is received or within 15 days of submission of the last reply brief, whichever is later. The oral presentation will be held at a time and place determined by the presiding official following consultation with the parties.

(e) Conduct of the oral presentation —(1) General. The presiding official is responsible for conducting the oral presentation. The presiding official may be assisted by one or more HHS officers or employees or consultants in conducting the oral presentation and reviewing the evidence. While the oral presentation will be kept as informal as possible, the presiding official may take all necessary steps to ensure an orderly proceeding.

(2) Burden of proof/standard of proof. In all cases, the respondent bears the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that its decision to suspend, propose revocation, or take adverse action is appropriate. The appellant , however, has a responsibility to respond to the respondent 's allegations with evidence and argument to show that the respondent is incorrect.

(3) Admission of evidence. The rules of evidence do not apply, and the presiding official will generally admit all testimonial evidence unless it is clearly irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious. Each party may make an opening and closing statement, may present witnesses as agreed upon in the pre-hearing conference or otherwise, and may question the opposing party's witnesses. Since the parties have ample opportunity to prepare the review file, a party may introduce additional documentation during the oral presentation only with the permission of the presiding official. The presiding official may question witnesses directly and take such other steps necessary to ensure an effective and efficient consideration of the evidence, including setting time limitations on direct and cross-examinations.

(4) Motions. The presiding official may rule on motions including, for example, motions to exclude or strike redundant or immaterial evidence, motions to dismiss the case for insufficient evidence, or motions for summary judgment. Except for those made during the hearing, all motions and opposition to motions, including argument, must be in writing and be no more than 10 double-spaced pages in length. The presiding official will set a reasonable time for the party opposing the motion to reply.

(5) Transcripts. The presiding official shall have the oral presentation transcribed. Either party may request a copy of the transcript and the requesting party shall be responsible for paying for its copy of the transcript.

(f) Obstruction of justice or making of false statements. Obstruction of justice or the making of false statements by a witness or any other person may be the basis for a criminal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. 1001 or 1505 .

(g) Post-hearing procedures. At the presiding official's discretion, the presiding official may require or permit the parties to submit post-hearing briefs or proposed findings and conclusions. Each party may submit comments on any major prejudicial errors in the transcript.

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How to prepare and deliver an effective oral presentation

• Related content
• Peer review
• Lucia Hartigan , registrar 1 ,
• Fionnuala Mone , fellow in maternal fetal medicine 1 ,
• Mary Higgins , consultant obstetrician 2
• 1 National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
• 2 National Maternity Hospital, Dublin; Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin
• luciahartigan{at}hotmail.com

The success of an oral presentation lies in the speaker’s ability to transmit information to the audience. Lucia Hartigan and colleagues describe what they have learnt about delivering an effective scientific oral presentation from their own experiences, and their mistakes

The objective of an oral presentation is to portray large amounts of often complex information in a clear, bite sized fashion. Although some of the success lies in the content, the rest lies in the speaker’s skills in transmitting the information to the audience. 1

Preparation

It is important to be as well prepared as possible. Look at the venue in person, and find out the time allowed for your presentation and for questions, and the size of the audience and their backgrounds, which will allow the presentation to be pitched at the appropriate level.

See what the ambience and temperature are like and check that the format of your presentation is compatible with the available computer. This is particularly important when embedding videos. Before you begin, look at the video on stand-by and make sure the lights are dimmed and the speakers are functioning.

For visual aids, Microsoft PowerPoint or Apple Mac Keynote programmes are usual, although Prezi is increasing in popularity. Save the presentation on a USB stick, with email or cloud storage backup to avoid last minute disasters.

When preparing the presentation, start with an opening slide containing the title of the study, your name, and the date. Begin by addressing and thanking the audience and the organisation that has invited you to speak. Typically, the format includes background, study aims, methodology, results, strengths and weaknesses of the study, and conclusions.

If the study takes a lecturing format, consider including “any questions?” on a slide before you conclude, which will allow the audience to remember the take home messages. Ideally, the audience should remember three of the main points from the presentation. 2

Have a maximum of four short points per slide. If you can display something as a diagram, video, or a graph, use this instead of text and talk around it.

Animation is available in both Microsoft PowerPoint and the Apple Mac Keynote programme, and its use in presentations has been demonstrated to assist in the retention and recall of facts. 3 Do not overuse it, though, as it could make you appear unprofessional. If you show a video or diagram don’t just sit back—use a laser pointer to explain what is happening.

Rehearse your presentation in front of at least one person. Request feedback and amend accordingly. If possible, practise in the venue itself so things will not be unfamiliar on the day. If you appear comfortable, the audience will feel comfortable. Ask colleagues and seniors what questions they would ask and prepare responses to these questions.

It is important to dress appropriately, stand up straight, and project your voice towards the back of the room. Practise using a microphone, or any other presentation aids, in advance. If you don’t have your own presenting style, think of the style of inspirational scientific speakers you have seen and imitate it.

Try to present slides at the rate of around one slide a minute. If you talk too much, you will lose your audience’s attention. The slides or videos should be an adjunct to your presentation, so do not hide behind them, and be proud of the work you are presenting. You should avoid reading the wording on the slides, but instead talk around the content on them.

Maintain eye contact with the audience and remember to smile and pause after each comment, giving your nerves time to settle. Speak slowly and concisely, highlighting key points.

Do not assume that the audience is completely familiar with the topic you are passionate about, but don’t patronise them either. Use every presentation as an opportunity to teach, even your seniors. The information you are presenting may be new to them, but it is always important to know your audience’s background. You can then ensure you do not patronise world experts.

To maintain the audience’s attention, vary the tone and inflection of your voice. If appropriate, use humour, though you should run any comments or jokes past others beforehand and make sure they are culturally appropriate. Check every now and again that the audience is following and offer them the opportunity to ask questions.

Finishing up is the most important part, as this is when you send your take home message with the audience. Slow down, even though time is important at this stage. Conclude with the three key points from the study and leave the slide up for a further few seconds. Do not ramble on. Give the audience a chance to digest the presentation. Conclude by acknowledging those who assisted you in the study, and thank the audience and organisation. If you are presenting in North America, it is usual practice to conclude with an image of the team. If you wish to show references, insert a text box on the appropriate slide with the primary author, year, and paper, although this is not always required.

Answering questions can often feel like the most daunting part, but don’t look upon this as negative. Assume that the audience has listened and is interested in your research. Listen carefully, and if you are unsure about what someone is saying, ask for the question to be rephrased. Thank the audience member for asking the question and keep responses brief and concise. If you are unsure of the answer you can say that the questioner has raised an interesting point that you will have to investigate further. Have someone in the audience who will write down the questions for you, and remember that this is effectively free peer review.

Be proud of your achievements and try to do justice to the work that you and the rest of your group have done. You deserve to be up on that stage, so show off what you have achieved.

Competing interests: We have read and understood the BMJ Group policy on declaration of interests and declare the following interests: None.

• ↵ Rovira A, Auger C, Naidich TP. How to prepare an oral presentation and a conference. Radiologica 2013 ; 55 (suppl 1): 2 -7S. OpenUrl
• ↵ Bourne PE. Ten simple rules for making good oral presentations. PLos Comput Biol 2007 ; 3 : e77 . OpenUrl PubMed
• ↵ Naqvi SH, Mobasher F, Afzal MA, Umair M, Kohli AN, Bukhari MH. Effectiveness of teaching methods in a medical institute: perceptions of medical students to teaching aids. J Pak Med Assoc 2013 ; 63 : 859 -64. OpenUrl

• Practical Law

Presentation skills: the basics

Practical law uk practice note w-020-4042  (approx. 7 pages).

• Presenting your department's strategic plan to the organisation's board.
• Addressing shareholders at your organisation's AGM.
• Explaining to the organisation what the legal function does and how it contributes to wider business goals.
• Addressing the media, possibly in response to a crisis.
• Speaking at industry conferences, either as a speaker or chair of a panel.

Effective ways to prepare for a presentation

Research your audience.

• What aspect of your subject area are the audience most interested in?
• How well informed about the subject are the audience?
• Are the audience interested in the subject from a particular perspective (for example, from a finance, legal, marketing or other viewpoint)?

What are the key takeaways

Plan your presentation.

• Tell them what you are going to tell them. Introduce your big idea at the outset and explain that your presentation will enlarge on that theme.
• Tell them. This is the main body of your presentation.
• Tell them what you have told them. When you reach the end of the main body, summarise by repeating your core theme, this time with the supporting points in short, bullet point style.

Chairing a panel

Organise a preparation call.

• Are going to be relevant on content.
• Stick to the panel topic.
• Have considered what they are going to say.
• Do not overlap on content.
• Have enough (but not too much) to say in the time allotted to them.

Starting the session

Moderating the discussion.

"Alex, that's a really interesting point; and one I've struggled with. Cameron, what's your view on this?"

"That sounds great, Evan. So, if I've understood correctly, in a nutshell…"

Q&A session

• Communicate and train
• Managing ethics and culture

This resource is continually monitored and revised for any necessary changes due to legal, market, or practice developments. Any significant developments affecting this resource will be described below.

University of Virginia School of Law

Oral Presentations In and Out of the Courtroom (SC)

Information introduction.

Shadel, Molly Bishop

Schedule Information

Course Description

Course requirements, exam information.

Final Type (if any): None

Description: None

Written Work Product

Other course details.

Prerequisites: Because the credits in this course count toward the JD Program Professional Skills requirement, JD candidates will be given enrollment priority for this class Concurrencies: None

Exclusive With: Hallmarks of Distinguished Advocacy (9053), Oral Presentations Outside The Courtroom (9185), Persuasion for Advocates (9055)

Laptops Allowed: No

First Day Attendance Required: Yes

Course Resources: To be announced.

Graduation Requirements

Satisfies Understanding Bias/Racism/Cross-Cultural Competency requirement: No

Satisfies Writing Requirement: No

Credits For Prof. Skills Requirement: Yes

Satisfies Professional Ethics: No

Additional Course Information

Schedule No.: 123819828

Modified Type: Simulation

Cross Listed: No

Waitlist Count: 0

Concentrations: Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Information reflected on this page was last refreshed at: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 - 9:26 AM *

*During open enrollment periods, live enrollment data may be found in SIS.

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Undergraduate Laws Blog

Stories, news and updates from our team and our students

Qualifying Law Degree – Oral Presentation

The University of London LLB is recognised as a Qualifying Law Degree and the completion of the Academic stage of legal training in England and Wales so long as certain specific conditions are met. Students must demonstrate the attainment of various skills including legal research, oral communication and IT skills through production of a satisfactory Laws Skills Portfolio.

Final year students are currently undertaking their oral presentations which are conducted in one of three ways:

• At their institution – If you are studying at a recognised teaching institution you may conduct your oral presentation at your institution in front of an audience.
• In London – Students can attend a presentation session at Stewart House in London, where you will be able to do your presentation in the presence of a University of London academic.
• Video Conference – Students who are not studying at an institution and who are not able to attend the London session are offered an opportunity to do the presentation via Skype with a University of London academic.

Below are 8 top tips on conducting an effective oral presentation:

• Practice your presentation in advance. Do not simply sit down and read through it but stand up and deliver out aloud, as if to an audience, as you will be doing during the real thing;
• Plan a beginning, middle and end to your presentation:
• Introduce the subject area and the main points you will be addressing;
• Present the components of your argument in a coherent and logical fashion;
• Conclude by summarising your talk and if appropriate you may add one or two comments e.g. directing the audience to other work in the area.
• Time yourself. If you run over time then edit your presentation accordingly;
• Make sure you do not have too many slides. Keep them simple. For a 10 minute presentation you should need no more than six to eight slides;
• Remember: the slides are there to keep your audience in step with you, not to impart large amounts of extra information. It can be useful to put full references to cases or statutes on the slides;
• Remember that your slides are not there for you to read from but to help reinforce points that are directed towards your audience;
• If you are being filmed then we suggest using slides with white text on a black background to avoid glare;
• Before your presentation you could consider a trial run with another student who can direct you as to where you should be standing.

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Thank you for the quick tips to oral Presentation. I find it very helpful mostly the point on concluding the presentation.

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Legal Skills (8th edn)

• Acknowledgements
• Getting the most out of Legal Skills
• New to this Edition
• Introduction
• 1. Getting started
• 2. Legislation
• 3. Finding legislation
• 4. Using legislation
• 5. Case law
• 6. Finding cases
• 7. Using cases
• 8. Books, journals, and official publications
• 9. Finding books, journals, and official publications
• 10. Study skills
• 11. Writing skills
• 12. Legal reasoning and ethics
• 13. Referencing and avoiding plagiarism
• 14. Essay writing
• 15. Answering problem questions
• 16. Revision and examination skills
• 17. Dissertations
• 18. Presentation skills
• 19. Mooting skills
• 20. Negotiation skills
• Appendix 1: Answers to self-test questions
• Appendix 2: Study skills—taking notes
• Appendix 3: Legal reasoning and ethics
• Appendix 4: Writing skills
• Appendix 5 Answering problem questions
• Appendix 6: Revision and examination skills
• Appendix 7: Dissertations
• Appendix 8: Presentation skills
• Appendix 9: Mooting
• Appendix 10: Negotiation skills

p. 419 18. Presentation skills

• Emily Finch
•  and Stefan Fafinski
• https://doi.org/10.1093/he/9780192893642.003.0018
• Published in print: 24 June 2021
• Published online: September 2021

This chapter draws upon some of the material covered in previous sections of the book that focused upon helping students locate and understand the law in order to prepare and deliver an effective oral presentation. It starts by outlining some guidelines on preparing a presentation, including selecting an appropriate topic and making decisions about the use of supplementary materials such as handouts or PowerPoint slides. It then considers issues relating to the delivery of the presentation, including matters such as timing, combating nerves, and engaging the interest of the audience.

• presentation preparation
• legal presentation
• oral presentation
• presentation skills
• visual aids
• presentation practise

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