Overcoming The Split-Attention Effect, A Litigation Graphics Consultant’s Daily Challenge
Mastering courtroom presentations involves more than just knowing the law; it requires understanding how to engage your audience without overwhelming them. I've talked about the redundancy effect/ split attention effect many times, including earlier this month. See 5 Alternatives to Persuasion Killing Bullet Points From Our Litigation Consultants. I think this may be the most common trial presentation mistake I see from even the very best trial attorneys. Understanding the Split-Attention Effect in Courtroom Presentations The split-attention effect occurs when an individual's focus is divided between multiple sources of information, leading to cognitive overload and decreased comprehension. This phenomenon is
Show (a Little) Facial Expression in Court
By Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm: It is common advice for witnesses in the courtroom or representatives at counsel table: keep a poker face. That advice — avoid scowls, grimaces, and other head-shaking reactions while you’re being observed by a jury — has some obvious common sense behind it. But the advice can also be taken to […]
Show (a Little) Facial Expression in Court
By Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm: It is common advice for witnesses in the courtroom or representatives at counsel table: keep a poker face. That advice — avoid scowls, grimaces, and other head-shaking reactions while you’re being observed by a jury — has some obvious common sense behind it. But the advice can also be taken to […]
5 Alternatives to Persuasion Killing Bullet Points From Our Litigation Consultants
Bullet points undermine persuasion. Scientific evidence supports this, and my colleagues and I have consistently emphasized this over the past 15 years in this blog through articles such as: 12 Reasons Bullet Points Are Bad (in Trial Graphics or Anywhere) The 12 Worst PowerPoint Mistakes Litigators Make Don't Use PowerPoint as a Crutch in Trial or Anywhere Why Reading Your Litigation PowerPoint Slides Hurts Jurors 5 Ways to Maximize Persuasion During Opening Statements - Part 4 12 Ways to SUCCESSFULLY Combine Oral and Visual Presentations Powerful PowerPoint Presentation Tips: Ditch the Bullet Points! Still Think Persuasion is About Talking While
Account for a Jury’s Purpose on Damages
By Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm: Something that we see over and over again in mock trials has now occurred in an actual trial. A recent jury in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania entered a defense verdict in favor of Johnson & Johnson, answering “No” to the question of whether the company’s talc powder caused the plaintiff’s injuries… then […]
Account for a Jury’s Purpose on Damages
By Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm: Something that we see over and over again in mock trials has now occurred in an actual trial. A recent jury in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania entered a defense verdict in favor of Johnson & Johnson, answering “No” to the question of whether the company’s talc powder caused the plaintiff’s injuries… then […]