ARGUMENT
A form of expression consisting of a coherent set ofreasons presenting or supporting a point of view; aseries of reasons given for or against a matterunder discussion that is intended to convince orpersuade the listener.For example, an argument by counsel consistsof a presentation of the facts or evidenceand the inferences that may be drawn therefrom,which are aimed at persuading a judge or jury torender a verdict in favor of the attorney’s client.An attorney may begin to develop an argumentin the OPENING STATEMENT, the initialdiscussion of the case in which the facts and thepertinent law are stated. In most cases, however,an attorney sets forth the main points of anargument in the closing argument, which is theattorney’s final opportunity to comment on thecase before a judge or jury retires to begin deliberationon a verdict.
