Winning Trial Advocacy Tips is the best trial advocacy blog on the web. Click here to read a recent post from the blog on tips for opening statements.
An excerpt:
In the courtroom, you probably talk in the past tense during opening statements and direct examination because you’re describing events that have already happened and reached finality. You already know the conclusion – but your jury doesn’t. This is the first time they’ve heard about the events. If you want to bring certain areas of your questioning to life, you need to switch your language to the present tense. By switching to the present tense, you’ll help your jury feel that things are happening right now.