SYNCHRONIZING THE VERBAL AND VISUAL TRIAL |
| General procedure involved in integrating the verbal and visual trial |
| The Synchronics Group Trial Consultants helps
clients integrate the verbal and visual messages into a synchronized
performance which captures the jurors’ attention and keeps
it. Too often, the visual trial is an after-thought, consisting of
blow-ups or Power Point charts which detail the facts, but fail to
instruct the jurors about the significance of those facts. An effective
visual trial digests the facts and translates them into exhibits
which illustrate the larger issues. |
| To develop a compelling visual trial, counsel will want to begin
conceptualizing exhibits as strategy is being developed, integrating
word and picture throughout the process. By weaving the verbal and
visual message into an integrated whole, and beginning the process
early on, counsel is assured that the visual trial will reflect the
significant issues, not merely the specific details. |
| Benefits of integrating the verbal and visual trial |
| Trials are performances and jurors want to be entertained.
Pictures are an integral part of that entertainment, as well as an
essential part of the learning experience. When the words and pictures
are not integrated, jurors stop listening. By synchronizing the words
with the pictures, counsel is assured to: |
- Make a more effective case presentation, so that
the jurors will understand the case as counsel intends them to
- Capture the attention of the jurors and keep it
throughout trial
- Help jurors translate complicated, abstract information
into concrete images with which they are familiar
- Help jurors make sense of what seems to be senseless
data
- Keep control over the dissemination of information,
i.e., what the jurors know and when they know it
- Enhance the performance of witnesses by providing
them with integrated trial exhibits
- Establish the leadership position as teacher, to
whom the jurors look for guidance
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