Mock Trial Team Preparation Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes about improvisation, backstories, demonstratives, and competition logistics in mock trial.

Improvisational skills

The ability to think quickly on one’s feet and adapt during mock trial performances and live competitions.

Backstory (witness)

A hypothetical background created for a witness to inform testimony; may be prepared for use or kept in reserve even if not shown in court.

Demonstratives

Large visual aids (posters or boards) used in court to illustrate points; can be very large and may be writable.

Write-on demonstratives

Demonstratives with writable surfaces for annotating points during a trial.

Demonstrative size

Example dimensions for demonstratives; notes reference sizes such as five feet wide by four feet tall.

Posters (demonstratives) for competition

Visual displays created to support arguments and evidence during mock trial competition; teams may need large posters.

72-hour notice

Minimum lead time (72 hours) required to announce events when phone access is limited.

Objections (mock trial)

Formal challenges to questions or evidence during a trial; a key skill in mock trial performance.

Winning Objections: A Mock Trial Guidebook

A guidebook referenced for strategies on forming and handling objections in mock trials.