Of Mice and Men Mock Trial Expert Witness Packet Responsibilities: You will review the activity and the perspectives we learned and discussed when we asked whether we trusted people to decide whether a person lives or dies. Decide whether your perspective would argue that George is guilty or not guilty. Choose a perspective to focus on that would help your team s argument and further research this perspective by looking up resources online. You can learn more about these topics by reading creditable resources, such as newspapers, government (.gov) sources or statistics, university or scholarly data. Refer to the writing center guide attached to assess if your sources are credible. If you have questions on whether a resource is credible, ask Mrs. Walkup before using it. You will create an expert testimony that both the defense and prosecution teams will analyze and base some of their direct- and cross-questions. Your testimony will describe your expert perspective and whether your role would define George as guilty or not guilty. Why would this expert come to this conclusion? What evidence or ideas does your perspective promote when it defines life and human rights? You will work with your lawyer s team to create a strong narrative based on your expert perspective. You will practice how you will respond to their direct questions and create a script using evidence from your research. Direct, open-ended questions invite you to tell a story and speak freely, so you do not want to respond by only saying yes or no elaborate! Example: In your expert opinion, do you believe that Lennie Small s violent reactions to the puppy and Curley s wife was an instinctual stress reaction? Response: Yes, research shows that humans react to stress like animals. His response was not intentional or premeditated, but a natural response to fear. You will anticipate what the other team might ask you to discredit your interpretation or evidence. They will ask you close-ended questions that force you to only respond with a yes or no and try to use your words against you. Try to regain control and defend yourself and team. You will think of your character s weaknesses and try to come up with evidence-based responses that spin the argument. Example: Your opinion is based on a number of assumptions, isn t it? Response: Of course, every opinion is based on assumptions, but mine is also supported by evidence and experience. The Lennie Law suggests that Lennie Small could not be held liable because he meets the standards of exclusion Try to add creativity to your performance! Try to speak and dress like the part!
Expert Witness Checklist Credibility: Research is from credible sources Research is cited Research is varied: o Research arguments from both perspectives and can refute the opposing side with evidence o Research should include at least two of these items: statements from experts, statistics, polls, historical facts, scientific evidence, interviews You fully understand your research and seem like a credible expert Testimony/Persuasive Argument: 3 or more credible, varied sources Character is clear and believable o You are knowledgeable about your job What do you do? Where did you go to school? What is your expertise? o Your language reflects your expertise Character is persuasive: o Your character shows obvious bias: your testimony helps argue your team s case o Your character spins the evidence and information to reinforce team s case Testimony is typed; Times New Roman; 12 point font; double-spaced Includes Work Cited At least a page long Cooperation: Worked well and respectfully with teammates Stayed on task; turned in assignments on time Argument is consistent with lawyers case Practiced direct questioning with lawyers Performance: Character is clear and believable: o Your language, behavior, and dress reflects your character role You have memorized or nearly memorized your testimony, direct questioning script, and have a premeditated response to cross-examination Character is persuasive: o Your character shows obvious bias: your testimony helps argue your team s case o Your character spins the evidence and information to reinforce team s case Expert Witness Graphic Organizer:
What is your job?: What is your education? (Where did you go to school? What did you study?): What is your expertise? How is your knowledge relevant and helpful to your team s case?: Research Graphic Organizer: Description of information Quotations Relevance Citation In your own words, what does the information mean? What is the direct quotation of information? How does this information connect to your team s argument? Does it help your team s argument? Hurt the other team s argument? Counterargument? Where did you find it? Who wrote it? When was it Why was it Description of Quotations: Relevance: Citation:
information: In your own words, what does the information mean? What is the direct quotation of information? How does this information connect to your team s argument? Does it help your team s argument? Hurt the other team s argument? Counterargument? Where did you find it? Who wrote it? When was it Why was it Expert Witness Timeline
Day One/November 30th: Get and learn about role Talk with lawyers about your case s strategy and argument Every member turns in an exit slip: o What is your team s strategy? o How is your expert witness role going to help your team s case? What is your character contributing? o What are you focusing on and researching? Day Two/December 1 st : Look over credible source handout Begin researching your role, job, and various perspectives on your argument Use graphic organizers to organize research Cite all search resources: Where did you find it? Who wrote it? When was it Day Three/December 2 nd : Continue researching your role, job, and various perspectives on your argument Use graphic organizers to organize research Cite all search resources: Where did you find it? Who wrote it? When was it Begin persuasive paper/character testimony Must complete draft of testimony before class Monday, December 5 th! Day Four/December 5 th : Bring in draft of testimony for lawyers to discuss Assess whether any changes need to be made to testimony Conference with Mrs. Walkup Make changes to draft Day Five/December 6 th : Talk with lawyers: plan and write direct questions that tell your character s story and emphasize your case s argument Write scripted responses to direct questions Day Six/December 7 th : Look over your testimony Anticipate what the opposing lawyers will ask your character to discredit your character or your argument Write possible cross-examination questions and response Day Seven/December 8 th :
Finish all written items: testimony, direct questions and responses, anticipated cross-examination questions and responses Conference with team Conference with Mrs. Walkup Rehearse Day Eight/December 9 th : Rehearse Turn in a copy of testimony to your team, opposing team, and Mrs. Walkup Day Nine/December 12: Performance!!! Turn in all work, if haven t already: testimony, scripts, research, etc.