Are the Characters in a Death Penalty Brief Like the Characters in a Movie?
41 Pages Posted: 12 Aug 2010
Date Written: 2008
In legal storytelling and narrative persuasion - just as in popular cultural storytelling - characterization, character development, and correct casting choices are profoundly important. In popular storytelling, depiction of character draws readers or viewers into a narrative, facilitating empathy and understanding, and informing the audience’s response to the story. Narrative theorists have argued that perspective, which is intrinsically tied to characterization, is “arguably the most important single decision” in some modern storytelling forms, especially the novel. Indeed, theorists have observed that the primary subject of the modern novel is consciousness and that “the center . . . of all great literature is character.” Character is no less important in legal storytelling. Effective characterization, character development, and correct casting choices are often essential to crafting persuasive briefs.
Keywords: Death Penalty, Movie, Narrative Persuasion, Legal Storytelling, Brief Writing
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation