COM 557 Reading Guide Questions for February 26 - Irwin Mallin, IPFW Communication

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COM 557, Spring 2008 – Reading Guide Questions for February 26

For Scheutz Ch. 5.

Read pp. 107-110 for background on the Oklahoma City bombing

1. What's the basic function and scope of opening statements?

2. What are the policy reasons for the procedural rules for opening statements she identifies on p. 111?

3. Looking your answer to question 1 and at the bullet-pointed list on p. 112 entitled "Communication in Opening Statements," what other speech situations outside of the courtroom are roughly analogous to opening statements?

4. What is the role of repetition, imagery, and metaphor in opening statements?

5. What do you think are the three most significant rhetorical features of the prosecution's opening statement? Why?

6. What is the role of primacy and recency in opening statements?

7. What is thematizing? How do defense attorneys use it in opening statements? What are the stock themes she identifies? To what extent would you be likely to find any of them persuasive?

8. What is "denial" as a defense strategy?

9. What do you think are the three most significant rhetorical features of the defense's opening statement? Why?

Go to Reading Guides | Go to Syllabus | Go to Course Schedule
Go to Assignments | Go to Irwin's Main Page | E-Mail Irwin