Twelve+Angry+Men+Assignment

Previewing Before viewing the film (1957 - original version) After viewing the film:
 * Make sure that you know the meanings of the courtro9om terminology listed on attached handout.
 * Read over the questions listed on this sheet under the heading "What to focus on in Observing and Analyzing a Court Case or Jury Deliberation?" These are 10 general questions that you should have in your head as you listen to the arguments.
 * Answer the following questions/items. When you are referring to a particular characteristic that will make it clear to whom you are referring.


 * 1) Describe the communication climate throughout most of the jury's deliberations. What are some examples of specific verbal and nonverbal behaviors that contributed to this climate?
 * 2) Choose two (2) of the jurors. For each, evaluate the arguments they present. How well did they evaluate information available (explain)? Use any of the 10 questions under "What to Focus on ..." that are helpful in writing your answer.
 * 3) Prejudices play an important role ina jury's decision. Explain the prejudices of three (3) jurors and how those prejudices affect their voting.
 * 4) List three (3) pieces of evidenced again the boy on trial, and then tell how the jurors prove those pieces of evidence wrong.
 * 5) Why does Juror Number 9 vote not guilty during the secon vote? (That is the vote where Number 8 abstains.)
 * 6) Why is Juror Number 5 a good juror to discuss the knife-fight?
 * 7) Using evidence from the film support the idea that some jurors do not care about the fact of the trial but just want to get it over with.
 * 8) At the beginning of this movie the jurors vote 11 to 1 to convict the defendant and send him to death for murder; yet by the end of the film they vote to acquit him. What are the events that led the jurors to change their minds so radically and set the defendant free?
 * 9) How do you think you might have acted as a juror in this case? How would you have interacted?

The following terms are common in the vocabulary of jury cases. You should be familiar with their meanings.
 * Courtroom Terminology**
 * 1) premeditated
 * 2) deliberation
 * 3) sequester
 * 4) jury foreman/forewoman
 * 5) prosecutor
 * 6) defense attorney
 * 7) witnesses
 * 8) eye witnesses
 * 9) alibi
 * 10) acquittal
 * 11) conviction
 * 12) capital case
 * 13) beyond a reasonable doubt
 * 14) render a verdict
 * 15) a hung jury
 * 16) unanimous decision
 * 17) charage to the jury
 * 18) circumstantial evidence
 * 19) alleged criminal burden of proof is on the state (prosecution)
 * 20) motive

What to Focus on in Observing and Analyzing a Court Case or Jury Deliberation
 * 1) Evaluate the arguments (the premises and conclusions). Do they seem strong/valid?
 * 2) Distinguish between fact and opinion in the testimony.
 * 3) What role do emotions play in testimonies and deliberations?
 * 4) What value are being reflected?
 * 5) Are the statements relevant?
 * 6) Are the statements rational?
 * 7) Are the statements accurate?
 * 8) Is the statement objective or biased?
 * 9) Is the person being fair?
 * 10) Can you detect any fallacies in the person's argument?

Penalties Manslaughter (voluntary and involuntary) Murder (in the 1st and 2nd degree) Homocide (criminal homicide)


 * **Juror** || **Actor** || **Identity** || **Voting "Not Guilty"** || **Reasons/Other Information** ||
 * 1 || Martin Balsam || The Foreman ||  ||   ||
 * 2 || John Fiedler || The Bank Clerk ||  ||   ||
 * 3 || Lee J. Cobb || The Father ||  ||   ||
 * 4 || EG Marshall || The Stockbroker ||  ||   ||
 * 5 || Jack Klugman || The Kid from the Slums ||  ||   ||
 * 6 || Edward Binns || The Working Man ||  ||   ||
 * 7 || Jack Warden || The Salesman ||  ||   ||
 * 8 || Henry Fonda || The Architect ||  ||   ||
 * 9 || Joseph Sweeney || The Old Man ||  ||   ||
 * 10 || Ed Begley || The Bigot ||  ||   ||
 * 11 || George Voskovec || The Immigrant ||  ||   ||
 * 12 || Robert Webber || The Ad Man ||  ||   ||
 * 12 || Robert Webber || The Ad Man ||  ||   ||