Recent
research reported by the Associated Press:
The average
attention span of a human being in 2000: 12 seconds
The average
attention span of a human being in 2012: 8 seconds
The average
attention span of a goldfish: 9 seconds
Do I have
your attention now?!
This is the
unfortunate reality you are up against in the courtroom. A goldfish has a
longer attention span than today’s average juror . . .
Our
attention span has shortened as our world has become more complex, more
demanding, and more bite-sized. This is not a put-down of jurors or anyone
else. It is simply a reality that is best dealt with, not avoided.
Short
sentences, introducing a single idea in a single sentence, pausing between
short paragraphs--all these are techniques that will serve you well in assuring
you retain juror attention.
Beyond
that, use visuals. When well-designed and executed, visuals can encapsulate
lengthy explanations which the jurors can grasp in those critical 8 seconds,
whereas the verbal explanation--albeit still necessary--may take hours to
thoroughly present.
