I.
INTRODUCTION
Beyond substantive review the process of developing your organizational and writing style skills – in addition to issue recognition – are key factors contributing to your ability to solve an essay or performance exam under timed conditions. An overview of your organizational and writing style delivery systems is covered in this handout so that you will have a complete perspective of both the (1) organizational and (2) writing style paragraphing techniques that will lead you to use your test-taking writing time more efficiently and effectively. Remember that you are preparing for a problem-solving speed examination and that the object of your preparation for this kind of exam is not merely to review the substantive law but to perfect the time management of your writing skills:
After you solve the problem, you must then “deliver” your answer within strict time guidelines. The purpose of this handout is to review these “delivery systems” so that you can work to develop more effective time-management skills which, in turn, will produce the necessary bar-passing standards.
II.
OVERVIEW REMINDERS: P.S.S.E.
Both the essay and performance tests, as noted above, are examples of the problem-solving speed examination. For each, it is incumbent to (1) initially solve the problem and (2) develop a “lawyer-like” written answer that satisfies the bar passing standards required by the Examiners. Whether you do so in 60 minutes for the essay or 180 minutes for the performance tests, it is valuable to learn those techniques that will cause you to use your test-taking time more efficiently and effectively. The schematic figures that follow represent an overview of the time-management needs for both the essay and performance test.
Essay
B. Writing-Down Stage: 35-45M 60 M A. Figuring-Out Stage: 15-25 M
1. Goals
B A
a. Organize issues a. Find issues: major,
minor, negative, non
b. Presentation elements
– Neatness *b. Organize issues
– Skip lines between headings – Use the interrogatory
and paragraphs – Subjects by elements
– Underline headings and legal (formal/informal)
buzz words – Subjects by events/
– Use specific facts for every issue items/legal
– Avoid inc-by-ref – use minor style
– Indent c. Prioritize and pace
– Write sequentially issues before you
commit to the relevant
c. Avoid being conclusory: organizational
Writing Style paragraphing technique and
techniques writing style
– Major*
– Minor*
– Prefatory
– Full-Circle*
– Continuity
– Segue*
PT
C. Organize Answer: ± 15 min. 180 M A. Office File: ± 30 min.
1. Goals
a. Memo Format A a. Identify tasks
– Title D
– Caption B b. Categorize facts
– Introduction C with tasks
– *Statement of Facts
– Argument/Discussion c. Preview library/
– Summary pages/time
D. Write: ± 75 min. B. Library: ± 60-75 min.
1. Goals 1. Goals/memo
a. Uses the Organizational and a. Identify/
writing style techniques you learn, categorize cases/
for the essay – but conforming etc. with tasks
to PT format needs (e.g., Memo, b. Book-brief cases
Letter, Argument, Closing c. For/Against task
Closing Statement, etc.) position
d. Major/Minor
style per case
III.
ORGANIZATIONAL & WRITING STYLE DELIVERY SYSTEMS
As noted above, once you solve an essay or performance test, it then become paramount that you deliver your written answer within the typical 30-45 minutes you have for the essay or 60-75 minutes you have for the performance test. Many of the organizational and paragraphing techniques for the essay easily apply to the performance test and they are summarized for you below.
A.
Organizational Techniques
Apart from the different writing styles or techniques you use to actually analyze your answer, are the two basic organizational techniques you use to set it up. Depending on the specific subject that is being tested for either the essay or performance test, apply the following organizational approaches in structuring your answer. Sometimes the single essay or performance test answer will utilize both approaches. Using the organizational techniques will cause you to more efficiently and effectively use your test-taking time and present a logically methodical approach for both writing and grading your answer. Also, remember to always take the actual interrogatory and use it to provide the initial “anchor point” headnote for your answer using the roman numeral approach.
TWO BASIC ORGANIZATIONAL TECHNIQUES
Subjects/Elements Subjects/Item
Formal Informal Item
By Element Only Main Heading Then, Legal Issues
Subjects
– Crimes – Crim Pro
– Torts – Evidence
– Crim Pro – Corps (O/M)
– Contracts (F) – Trusts (TA)
– Remedies (I/SP) – Wills (C)
– Real Prop – Com Prop (Ch)
– Civ Pro – Prof Resp (Action)
– Trusts (Ad)
– Wills (C)
Examples
Technique: Subjects/Elements
(1) Formal
1. A vs. B
A. Negligence
1. Duty
2. Breach
Etc.
(2) Informal
1. A vs. B
A. Negligence
(Now, paragraph your discussion of the
elements, with a preference for the Minor
Writing Style as you do so.)
Technique: Subject/Events/Items
I. Admissibility of X’s testimony (Item)
A. Relevance (legal issue)
II. Shareholders vs. Director
A. Sales of XYZ stock (Item)
1. Due Care (legal issue)
III. Rights of H&W
A. Characterization of Property
1. Retirement Fund (Item)
a. Time, etc. (legal issue)
B.
Writing Style Techniques
After you have chosen the relevant organizational technique, it will then be important to chose the appropriate writing style, or paragraph technique for each of the issues you analyze. Each of these writing style techniques is summarized, below. The ”*Major” and “*Minor” techniques are, first and foremost, the most important.
*1. Major Writing Style
Situation: For major issues, time permitting.
Approach: Two components: A legal paragraph and an analysis paragraph.
Example: Evidence is logically relevant that has a tendency to prove or disprove a disputed fact.
When the autopsy photos were offered they were logically relevant because they proved the disputed fact as to the cause of death.
*2. Minor Writing Style
Situation: For minor/negative issues or major issues when time is a factor.
Approach: Only an analysis paragraph.
Example: When the autopsy photos were offered they were logically relevant because they proved the disputed fact as to the cause of death.
3. Prefatory Writing Style
Situation: Used in combination with the formal organizational technique, at the beginning of your answer, for subjects based on the proof of elements, time permitting.
Approach: Begin your sentence with “In order to prove” (cause of action) and then be sure to number each element (which you will thereafter sequentially examine).
Example: In order to prove negligence, S must establish the following elements: (1) that he was owed a duty, that was (2) breached, which was the (3) actual and proximate cause of his (4) damages, with no available (5) defenses. These are discussed, below.
4. Full Circle Writing Style
Situation: Used to contextualize specific and more general issues (note “FC” in your ICO) and to economically “cover your bases” in mentioning an issue that may only be marginally present.
Approach: Begin your sentence with “Although,” then briefly a part of the more general issue’s rule, and then focus on the specifically relevant issue.
Example: Although logically relevant evidence may be offered to prove a disputed fact, here legally relevant evidence involving character is presented. (From here, use the Major Writing Style, continuing with the legal rule in the same paragraph; then, the analysis paragraph.)
5. Continuity Writing Style
Situation: Occasionally used with subjects based on the proof of elements, when you want to mention elements not present in order to give both context and continuity to the elements that are at issue. Beware: Be sure that the “missing” elements are truly non-issues. In other words, “cut and paste” – combined – all of your paragraphing techniques.
Approach: Begin your sentence with the word “Presuming,” then briefly raise the missing element(s).
Example: Presuming an offer, acceptance, and valuable consideration, at issue is whether any defense to the formation of the contract are present, as discussed below.
6. Segue Writing Style
Situation: Used with issues that merit a two-sided analysis, exploring both the “pro” and “con” of an issue. Remember: Many times issues can be easily dispensed with absent the need for more protracted discussion (+, -, ±* ).
Approach: Following your initial analysis paragraph (using the major or minor writing style), begin the next sentence with a word or phrase such as: “Alternately,” “Alternatively,” “In contrast,” “On the other hand”; or, to bolster your critical analysis, with “In addition,” “In support,” “further,” etc.
Example: When the 12 autopsy photos were introduced, they may be logically relevant (here, note the use of the discretionary “may”) because of their probative value intending to prove the cause of death and the identity of the victim. In contrast, they may also be legally irrelevant given their cumulative inflammatory and prejudicial value. (Then, finishing the thought . . . In the discretion of the court, some of the photos will be admitted into evidence as probative and others excluded as too prejudicial.
IV.
SUMMARY
Learning to use both your organizational and writing style delivery systems interchangeably – as you adapt them to the specific writing situation presented by the essay or performance test. If you do, they will enable you to use your test-taking time with more efficiency and effectiveness -–and then prepare you to develop better skills and standards for the bar as a problem-solving speed examination. Have faith – you can do it!
Let’s pass the bar!
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S/E’s
Int.
S/I’sLaw
Fact