Make the defendant the subject of your submission.

Instead of saying: “The victim was treated barbarically. He lived in a small room for 2 years and was not allowed to leave the room without permission. Sometimes he did not get to shower for days. His every move was controlled."

Say: "The defendant was barbaric. He trapped the victim in a small room, forcing the victim to live there for 2 years. Though the victim begged and cried to be let out, the defendant forbade him from leaving the room without his permission. There were days the victim did not shower. The defendant controlled the victim’s every move."