12 Angry Men Discussion Questions

12 Angry Men Discussion Formative Assessment Course Targets: I will read to understand and analyze a variety of short stories, nonfiction, novels, technical selections and classical works of literary merit.

CHARACTER 1. Which characters base their decisions on prejudice? 2. Does Juror #8 or any other character exercise “reverse discrimination”? 3. Describe the communication style of each juror, who comes closest to your own style of communication? (Think about how you handled the logic problem last week….) 4. Which juror was the strongest leader? Support your answer. 5. Before juror #3 voted “not guilty,” where level and stage did he demonstrate in the Kholberg Theory of Moral Development? Support your answer. 6. Which juror do you think was most concerned about the outcome of the trial? 7. Which juror do you think was least concerned about the outcome of the trial?

PLOT 1. Should this trial have been a hung jury? Why/why not? 2. Do you think the defendant was guilty or not guilty? 3. What are the most persuasive pieces of evidence in favor of the defense or the prosecution? 4. What piece of evidence do you think was the most convincing as proof of a reasonable doubt? 5. Do you think the witness’s visual testimony was believable? (Think about your experience today in the classroom) 6. Was it a good ending to the movie? Why or why not?

THEME 1. What do you think is the biggest overall message in this film?

MAKING THE CONNECTION 1. Now that you’ve seen this film, what element(s) would lead to a fairer trial when dealing with a jury? 2. How does the play/film Twelve Angry Men deepen our understanding of the constitutional guarantee of the right to trial by jury and the role of the jury system in American democracy?