People retain information in pieces, therefore you should group your arguments in pieces (chunks) that your audience can digest.
I first learned the concept of chunking from Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer. Its a book about a journalist who wins the U.S. Memory Championship by using mnemonic techniques like chunking among many to help his memory. By using these techniques with a judge or juror you can help them remember and digest your arguments more easily
Why Chunking Works
We naturally organize information into chunks: credit card numbers have spaces, writing uses paragraphs, and books have chapters. Chunking makes complex information easier to understand and remember. Without it, arguments can become overwhelming and confusing.
How to Chunk Arguments
- Group arguments by topic.
- Arrange them logically so ideas and facts build on each other.
- Break long arguments into subtopics or separate groups.
- Combine short arguments into broader categories when needed.
DEVELOP YOUR TOOL BOX
Over time, the methods you use to chunk arguments become part of your toolbox. With practice, you’ll be able to organize even complex arguments in ways that are easy for your audience to follow and digest.
