"Trial court proceedings are like a black box into which each side throws facts, evidence and law, and what pops out is a judgment—a formal, enforceable decree declaring a winner. Human nature being what it is, the loser probably wants a second chance to fight again. And that loser, no doubt, has a long litany of reasons why the other side should have lost. Hence, the appellate process. But appeals are far from do-overs of trials. And rather than worry about all the various reasons and steps that lead to the winner winning, appellate courts are more concerned with the bigger-picture inquiry about the ultimate result."
Read the article here (subscription required).