Freeze! Using Theatre Improvisation Techniques to Practice Oral Argument

Abstract

When students learn that they will be participating in oral argument during the second semester of legal writing class they often experience a sense of dread. While some students may have public speaking experience in other settings, oral argument on a brief or a moot court will be the first experience at giving an extemporaneous speech on legal issues before a “hot” panel of judges. Our article details several theater improvisation exercises we use in class to ease student fears and to prepare them to think and speak on their feet for oral argument.