Friday, October 19th

Homework:  Think about all three witnesses from the other side.  You just finished writing cross examination questions for one witness.  Now add questions for the other two witnesses from the other side so that you have a total of 3/4 page by Monday.  Remember, Write 3/4 page telling me what you think are the greatest weaknesses in their case.  

Politics in America

Did you watch the Debate Tuesday night?

I think it's important for all of us to be informed members of society and to make our voice heard.

It's looking like this election could be very close, and as such, it's extra important for all of us in the country to think through issues that will affect our lives.  Not only will the next president guide the country through the next four years, but during those four years it is very likely that he will appoint 1 or 2 Supreme Court justices, and those judges will make decisions that could last your entire lifetimes.  So, in case you're interested in following the polls these last three weeks, here are some that show how President Obama and Governor Romney are doing in the states that matter most:

Current Polls

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Cross-examination

The basic goal of cross-examination is to trip up the witnesses from the other side, to catch them in their lies and exaggeration, if possible.  In many cases, there are no lies, and what you're doing in this case is trying to show that there is reasonable doubt that their side of the story might not be true. Then the jury isn't so convinced that he/she is telling the truth, or at least that their side of the story doesn't seem plausible or believable.

In your groups, you are to come up with cross-examination questions for a witness on the other side.

Cody               Beck

Beck               Cody

Hobbes           Gracian

Gracian           Hobbes

Kripke             Plotnik

Plotnik            Kripke

To do this, you have to look at their written witness statements (affidavits).  Underline things that look fishy.

Then write a question or two for each fishy looking point, questions that will help you trip them up.

The questions you write should only have yes/no answers.

You don't want them to have a chance to talk.  

You just want to incriminate them.

A good question often ends with 

"didn't you?"

"correct?" 

"isn't that right?"