What characterizes a topical summary of a deposition?

A topical summary of a deposition is characterized by its organization around specific themes or subjects rather than presenting the information in a sequential manner. This allows for a more accessible overview of the key points covered during the deposition, enabling attorneys and other legal professionals to quickly refer to relevant information according to the topic at hand. By condensing the deposition content and organizing it by topic, the summary facilitates easier analysis and understanding of the witness's testimony in relation to particular issues involved in the case.

The other options provide different formats or focuses: a chronological account documents events in the order they occurred; an analysis of witness credibility evaluates the trustworthiness of the witness; and a verbatim transcript captures the exact spoken words without any summarization or organization. Each serves a distinct purpose compared to the topical summary's intent to synthesize information efficiently.