12 Angry Men -- Vocabulary
Legal Terminology – be able to explain the
following in your own words
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
homicide
murder
premeditated
motive
alibi
evidence
testimony
proof
hearsay
defendant
prosecution
jury (trial by jury)
verdict
unanimous
hung jury
abstain
conviction
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
acquittal
presumption of innocence
burden of proof
reasonable doubt
incriminating evidence
circumstantial evidence
self-incrimination (5th Amendment)
Vocabulary
1. bias
2. prejudice
3. reluctant
4. privilege
5. coincidence
6. rapport
7. intimidate
8. stereotype
9. logical
10. arrogance (arrogant)
Character Analysis Vocabulary
Be able to define the following words and relate them to the actions of the characters in the play.
Then supply your own word that would characterize the juror and fill in the blank.
Foreman: petty, dogged, _______________________
Juror # 2: meek, hesitant, _______________________
Juror #3: intolerant, sadistic, opinionated, _______________________
Juror #4: condescending, logical, _______________________
Juror #5: naïve, intimidated, _______________________
Juror #6: honest, dull-witted, _______________________
Juror #7: flashy, insincere, _______________________
Juror #8: inquisitive, compassionate, _______________________
Juror #9: mild, mournful, _______________________
Juror #10: antagonistic, bigoted, _______________________
Juror #11: dedicated, worldly, _______________________
Juror #12: superficial, snobby, _______________________
Study Questions (during the play)
Answer the following questions in complete sentences after each Act is complete.
1. The majority of the jurors in Act I vote to find the defendant guilty of premeditated
murder. What evidence do they present to support their view that he is guilty? List and
explain 3-4 examples.
2. Do any of the jurors have personal reasons for voting guilty? List three of those jurors
and explain.
3. Why do Jurors 5 and 9 change their votes to not guilty in Act II? List their reasons and
motives.
4. Which jurors (besides 5, 8 &9) do you think will vote Not Guilty at the beginning of Act
III? Why?
5. Choose two jurors and explain how this trial may have changed their view of the world
and/or themselves.
Analyzing The Play (after the play)
Answer three of the five following questions; each answer should be one paragraph (about 3/4 one page for each answer) with a topic sentence and supporting sentences.
1. Was Juror Three pressured into the final verdict? Explain. How is this similar to and
different from the beginning, when Juror Eight was all alone with his point of view?
2. Do you think the defendant actually killed his father? Was it right for him to be
acquitted? Explain.
3. How do we take our rights as Americans for granted? Why is ours considered the most
just system in the world? Why do people try to get out of jury duty? Why is it important
for us to serve on a jury? Use examples from the play and today's society.
4. How do Jurors 3 and 10 demonstrate “He who thinks he knows everything really knows
nothing”? How does Juror 4 not demonstrate this idea? Explain and give examples.
5. What is the reaction of the other jurors when Juror Ten describes his true feelings about
poor people and minorities (p. 62-63)? When do other jurors make similar prejudicial
comments about other groups? Describe an experience you've had when you have shown
prejudice in any form.
12 Angry Men
The Evidence
For each of the following witnesses or pieces of evidence, explain how he/she/it
implicates the defendant as the killer; then list any problems with that witness or
evidence.
how this implicates
the defendant
The Switch Knife --
The Older Man (downstairs neighbor)
What he heard --
What he saw --
The Older Woman (across the El tracks) --
The Victim’s Stab Wound --
any problems
with this evidence
12 Angry Men
Character List
Foreman (Juror #1)
Juror #2
Juror #3
Juror #4
Juror #5
Juror #6
Juror #7
Juror #8
Juror #9
Juror #10
Juror #11
Juror #12