Which stage displays ESI before audiences (depositions, hearings, trials) to elicit further information or persuade?

• A. Review
• B. Presentation
• C. Production
• D. Identification

Answer: (B)

Presentation is the stage where ESI is shown to a court, jury, or other audience to persuade or elicit information. In this phase, digital materials—emails, documents, spreadsheets, PDFs, or metadata—are presented as exhibits or demonstratives during a deposition, hearing, or trial. The goal is to persuade the decision-maker and to prompt responses or further information through questioning and cross-examination. This sets it apart from identification (locating sources), review (assessing relevance and privilege), and production (delivering materials to the opposing side in a usable format).