tips for writing a legal essay

Mastering the Craft: Writing Effective Legal Essays for Law Students

Norma Harris, LawFuel contributor

Welcome to the exciting yet challenging world of legal writing! As a law student, mastering the art of writing legal essays is not just a requirement; it’s a fundamental skill that will serve you throughout your career. This guide is designed to provide you with tips and techniques to excel in crafting compelling legal essays.

Let’s embark on this journey of turning complex legal concepts into coherent and persuasive narratives.

Understanding the Legal Essay

A legal essay is more than just an academic assignment; it’s a critical tool for demonstrating your understanding of legal theories and ability to apply them to real-world scenarios. Unlike other forms of academic writing, legal essays require specific skills, including analyzing legal problems, using legal reasoning, and accurately referencing legal authorities.

For students who find these requirements daunting, seeking assistance from a professional essay writing service can be valuable. These services provide expertise in crafting well-argued and properly referenced legal essays, which can significantly aid in understanding the nuances of legal writing and improving academic performance.

Topic Selection and Analysis

Selecting the perfect topic for your legal essay is a critical first step. It sets the tone for your entire piece and can often determine its success.

Here’s how to make the right choice:

Relevance to Current Legal Discussions: Aim for a topic that is interesting and relevant to current legal debates or recent developments in law. This demonstrates your awareness of the evolving legal landscape.

Personal Interest: Choose a topic that intrigues you. Your enthusiasm will reflect in your writing, making the process more enjoyable and engaging.

Scope and Feasibility: Be realistic about the content of your essay. It’s better to thoroughly explore a more focused topic than to skim the surface of a broader one.

Techniques for Analyzing the Essay Question

Understanding and dissecting the essay question is crucial. Here’s how to break it down:

Identify Key Terms: Look for action words like “analyze,” “discuss,” or “compare.” These verbs define the approach you should take in your essay.

Scope of the Question : Determine the boundaries of the topic. What are you being asked to focus on? This helps in narrowing down your research.

Hidden Questions: Sometimes, essay questions have underlying issues that take time to be apparent. Look for these subtleties to address the question entirely.

Conducting Preliminary Research to Scope the Topic

Start with a broad sweep of the topic:

Initial Readings: Review general texts to understand the background and context of your topic.

Identifying Gaps: Look for areas within the topic that are under-discussed or particularly contentious. These gaps often make for compelling essays.

Research Strategies

Research is the foundation of any legal essay. It informs your arguments and supports your conclusions. Effective research involves:

Comprehensiveness: Ensure you cover all relevant legal aspects of your topic.

Credibility: Use authoritative and reliable sources to back up your arguments.

Identifying and Using Primary and Secondary Legal Sources

Understanding the difference between primary and secondary sources is vital:

Primary Sources: These are the law – statutes, cases, regulations. They form the backbone of your legal arguments.

Secondary Sources: Include legal journals, textbooks, and commentaries. They provide interpretations and critiques of primary sources and help to contextualize your arguments.

Effective Use of Legal Databases and Libraries

Utilize legal databases like Westlaw, LexisNexis, and HeinOnline for access to many legal resources. Libraries, especially law school ones, are invaluable for finding primary and secondary sources.

Maintaining Accuracy and Relevancy in Research

Stay Updated: Laws and legal interpretations change. Make sure your research includes the most current information.

Relevance: Always tie your research back to the central thesis of your essay. Irrelevant information, no matter how interesting, can detract from your argument’s coherence.

Planning and Structuring the Essay

Before diving into writing, it’s essential to plan your essay. An effective outline acts as a roadmap, guiding you through your arguments in a logical sequence. Start by jotting down the main points you intend to cover. Arrange these points in a logical order, ensuring that each one builds upon the last.

Structuring Arguments Logically and Coherently

A legal essay’s strength lies in its arguments’ clarity and logic. Ideally, Each paragraph should begin with a clear topic sentence stating the idea or point you’ll discuss.

This is followed by evidence, such as legal precedents or statutes, and then analysis, where you interpret how this evidence supports your argument. Ensure each paragraph flows smoothly into the next, creating a cohesive narrative throughout your essay.

The Role of Thesis Statements and Topic Sentences

A well-crafted thesis statement at the beginning of your essay sets the tone and direction of your arguments. It should briefly state the main point or opinion that your paper will support. Similarly, topic sentences at the beginning of each paragraph offer a preview of what the section will discuss, tying it back to the thesis statement. 

Balancing Depth and Breadth in Legal Analysis

While depth of analysis is crucial in demonstrating your understanding of the topic, it’s equally important to maintain a breadth of perspective. Avoid tunnel vision by considering various aspects of the legal issue at hand. However, beware of spreading your analysis too thin. 

Legal Argumentation and Analysis

Effective legal argumentation is rooted in logical clarity and supported by evidence. Your arguments should be based on legal principles and facts, not just opinions. Appropriate legal authorities, like statutes or case law, should back up each claim you make. 

Critical Thinking in Legal Analysis

Critical thinking is vital in legal analysis, much like how an ai essay writer free tool assists in generating content by evaluating various parameters. In legal studies, it’s about understanding the law and analyzing how it applies to different situations.

You need to question assumptions, much like an AI tool sifts through data, evaluate evidence critically, and explore the implications of your arguments. This depth of analysis, akin to the intricate processing of a sophisticated AI writer, demonstrates a higher level of understanding and engagement with the subject matter.

Addressing Counterarguments and Alternative Perspectives

A comprehensive legal essay anticipates and addresses potential counterarguments. Acknowledging and responding to opposing viewpoints strengthens your essay by demonstrating that you have considered the issue from all angles. It shows the ability to engage critically with different perspectives, a vital skill in legal analysis.

Incorporating Legal Precedents and Statutory Materials

Your arguments should be grounded in relevant legal precedents and statutory materials. Citing these sources provides evidence to support your points and shows your ability to interpret and apply legal concepts. Explain how these sources relate to your argument, rather than simply listing them, to demonstrate your analytical skills.

Legal Writing Style and Language

Clear and concise writing is paramount in legal essays. The goal is to communicate complex legal ideas in a way that is accessible and understandable. This means avoiding unnecessary jargon, wordy sentences, and convoluted structures.

Each sentence should convey your point directly and efficiently. Clarity is key in legal writing; you aim to make your argument as straightforward and understandable as possible.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Legal Language

Legal language is often criticized for being overly complex. Avoid these common pitfalls by simplifying your language. Avoid the passive voice, which can obscure the meaning and make your writing less engaging. Also, resist the temptation to use legal terms unnecessarily; use plain English wherever possible to convey your points more clearly.

Use of Legal Terminology and Phrases

While simplicity is essential, there are times when specific legal terminology is necessary to convey a concept accurately.

In such cases, ensure you fully understand and use the terms correctly. This demonstrates your knowledge and ensures that your argument is legally sound. However, always explain the time briefly to readers who may need to become more familiar with it.

Balancing Technicality with Readability

The ultimate goal is to strike a balance between technical accuracy and readability. Your essay should demonstrate your legal knowledge and ability to use legal language correctly, but someone without a legal background should easily understand it.

Citation and Referencing in Legal Essays

Accurate citation is crucial in legal essays. It serves two primary purposes: it credits the original authors of the work and allows readers to verify your sources. This not only bolsters your credibility but also ensures academic integrity. Please cite sources to avoid accusations of plagiarism, which can have serious consequences.

Overview of Common Citation Styles in Law

Different jurisdictions and law schools may prefer different citation styles. The Bluebook and OSCOLA are among the most commonly used.

The Bluebook, prevalent in the United States, provides a uniform citation system. OSCOLA, mainly used in the UK, is designed for legal referencing. Familiarize yourself with the preferred style for your jurisdiction or institution to ensure correct citations.

Avoiding Plagiarism and Ensuring Academic Integrity

To avoid plagiarism, ensure that every source you use is properly cited. This includes direct quotes as well as paraphrased ideas and information. Understanding and adhering to the rules of your chosen citation style is vital to maintaining academic integrity.

Editing and Proofreading

Editing is an essential step in the writing process . Begin by reviewing your essay for structure and content. Make sure each argument is coherent and supported by evidence. Then, move on to sentence-level edits, focusing on clarity and conciseness. Look out for and eliminate any grammatical errors or awkward phrasings.

Seeking Feedback and Constructive Criticism

Don’t hesitate to seek feedback from peers, mentors, or professors. Fresh eyes can catch errors you might have missed and provide valuable insights on improving your essay. Constructive criticism is a powerful tool for enhancing your legal writing skills.

From selecting a compelling topic and conducting thorough research to crafting clear, coherent arguments and ensuring accurate citations, each aspect of your legal essay is a stepping stone towards demonstrating your proficiency in law.

Remember, effective legal writing is not just about showcasing your understanding of the law; it’s about communicating complex ideas, concisely, and persuasively. As you apply these tips and techniques, you will not only enhance your legal writing skills but also deepen your understanding of the law itself.

Embrace the challenge, seek feedback, and continually refine your skills. Your journey in mastering legal essays is not just about academic success; it’s about preparing for a rewarding legal career.

About The Author

Norma Harris

Did you also see . . .

Looking To Be A Law Partner? Not So Much

Top Law School Rankings – US News & World Report Rankings

Australian Law Job Opportunities Beckon Kiwi Lawyers, Says Australian Law Recruiter

Which Law School Will Rank Highest in Forthcoming US News & World Report Law School Rankings?

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

'Don't just vomit on the page': how to write a legal essay

Law lecturer Steven Vaughan explains why the best essays take discipline, editing, and teamwork

W hen Steven Vaughan, a senior law lecturer at University College London, asked students to mark a previous fresher’s work , their feedback was brutal. It just about scraped a 2:2. The students were therefore shocked to discover this “really bad essay” was written by Vaughan himself during his time as an Oxford undergrad. The reassuring point Vaughan was trying to make, of course, is that students shouldn’t worry if they are not turning in perfect essays from day one. Like any skill, essay writing requires practice. Here, Vaughan offers his advice:

MJ: How do law essays differ from other subjects?

SV: All essays are about communicating a message to a particular sort of audience, so we are looking for structure, logic, and narrative. It’s the law that makes the difference, though. New students often haven’t studied law before and are not aware of its nuance. Writing a law essay is about digging deep to uncover uncertainty and complexity within the law, and to use this to argue a position.

Students always ask, ‘What should our essays look like?’ I tell them they should be writing like the academic articles we give them to read. Obviously that’s a difficult ask on day one, but those should be a guide.

What are the most common mistakes students make when writing law essays?

There are three common mistakes. The first is students not answering the question we set. This happens for lots of different reasons – either because students are stressed and they misread it, or they don’t understand it. But whatever you do, don’t just vomit on the page. You need to think about what exactly we are asking.

Secondly, don’t write your essay like a murder mystery. I often find I don’t know where an essay is going or what the conclusion is going to be until I get to the very end. The most common thing I write in capital letters is, ‘What’s your argument? What are you saying?’

The third common mistake is an argument lacking authority. Students will often put forward propositions that are intelligent and well reasoned but don’t connect back to the law. What’s the bit of statute, case law or legal academic that you are using to evidence the claim that you are making?

What’s the best way to start a law essay?

Often introductions are long and rambling. If you can set the right tone at the beginning, it makes all the difference. I tell my students to do three things in their introductions. First, give it a context: frame the issue for the reader and for the question. Then set out your argument. And then do some signposting: tell me what is going to happen over the next three paragraphs or the next three pages.

What’s the best way to approach research?

Students don’t ask us enough for guidance on how to direct their reading. The reading list is almost always split into two parts – the required reading section and the further reading section. The required reading is stuff we just expect you to know, it’s a given. Additional reading is for when you have time, these are things you should explore.

Law students always complain about how much work they have to do. But what they don’t do is form study groups to help each other prep. One of my first-year messages is that law isn’t The Hunger Games. There is no reason why you can’t all do well. So why don’t you share the reading between you?

What really impresses me is when students divvy up the additional reading, when students create Facebook or WhatsApp groups and share knowledge among themselves.

How do you best manage your time?

My advice is always do as I say, not as I did. I was a student who was awake all night, cramming for exams and finishing my essay at 6am for a tutorial at 9am. The better advice is to try and treat your law degree like a job. So think about working 8-4 or 9-5. You shouldn’t be working in the early hours of the morning or at the weekend. That requires quite a bit of discipline. Have a timetable that you stick to.

When you think you have finished a piece, physically walk away from it, get some fresh air, go to the gym – whatever it is you do. It’s only when you come back to it later that you will notice all the imperfections and mistakes.

You have also got to build in time for getting feedback from other people, whether it’s friends, family or other law students. Give it to someone who is going to be brutally honest.

• Studying law
• Guardian Students
• Higher education
• Universities

Most viewed

👇 Recommended LLS Courses to Excel in this Opportunity​

Home » Blogs, News, Advice » Career Advice » 14 Legal Essay Writing Tips [OR] How to Write and Win Law Essay Writing Competitions

14 Legal Essay Writing Tips [OR] How to Write and Win Law Essay Writing Competitions

• Apr 7, 2014
• No Comments

By Tanuj Kalia

A friend on Facebook asked me about this on Facebook. I gave whatever ‘general’ advice I had to offer. She liked it and hence this “Legal Essay Writing Tips” post on Lawctopus.

Pre legal essay writing tips

A lot of essay writing competitions, even those with huge prize monies, receive very very few entries .

Out of the 25-30 entries that are received in an average essay competition, half are pathetic.

The odds that a well-written, well-researched essay wins the big prize money is pretty good.

Read ‘about’ the essay competition in detail.

Do read the brochure or the website carefully even before starting to write.

Know about the organisation which is organizing the essay competition, about what they are expecting, the rules, regulations etc.

Before starting to write an essay you should ideally consult a competent faculty member, unless of course, you yourself have made a project on it.

If you can find no faculty member with that subject as her specialisation, ask her to refer you to another faculty or a senior researcher.

Discuss the subject/essay topic with him/her. This will save you a lot of time and effort.

^ This will be your Bible.

On the Essay Now

Read extensively and from various sources on the subject. Take notes.

This can easily go on for 4 days-2 weeks depending on the subject.

Based on your extensive reading, decide upon the draft topic you are going to write on.

Make a brief, draft structure/table of content s.

Now read intensively on the topic, sub-topics.

Read only from high quality, authentic sources now.

Write with a flow, without any editing. Keeping writing. Do not revise for now .

Writing is hard and you would not want to stop that.

Be precise . Make each sentence count. Make each word count.

Make sure that your essay contains an argument . That gives a strong voice to the essay.

Your arguments are backed and strengthened by the sources you cite.

Cite properly. Sources from the internet should not make all of your citations. Books are still wonderful and scholarly.

After having written and written for long, edit ruthlessly .

Edit for words, sentences, paras, chapters.

Don’t keep words just to meet the word-count.

Check again for any errors in spellings, grammar, sentence construction etc.

If a sentence sounds confusing, re-write it.

After it’s done

Get a friend or a faculty to read your essay.

It serves as an important second revision . Ask for inputs too.

Give your essay a kick-ass title .

Give your chapters/sections kick-ass sub-titles too. Make the reader want to read your essay.

Make sure the essay looks neat .

Formatting gives the essay a good packaging and makes it stand-out from the crowd.

More tips are on this Legally India write-up here .

Download some prize-winning essays from SpicyIP  here .

Buy the book called ‘Elements of Style’.

Make Chicago Manual of Style your Bible.

Get a brand new kind of individual  essay help  on ThePensters.com.

Join Our Career Advice WhatsApp Group

Get Daily Updates

Join Our Career Advice Telegram Group

Get an Internship

Add a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

🎓 Apply for SLS Nagpur's B.A. LL.B. and B.B.A. LL.B. Programmes via SLAT 2024. Applications closing on 12th April!

For Advertisements on Lawctopus

• +91 90235 43927
• [email protected]
• Office hours: 11AM - 7PM

For Lawctopus Law School

• +91 80474 94091
• [email protected]

Download our eBook on

Get An Internship

• Honour Code
• CSR Commitments
• Trademark Policy
• Authentication
• How to Cite
• Legal Executive

Case Summaries

• Jurisprudence
• Legal Writing
• Legal English

UOL Case Bank

• A-Level Law
• Exam Skills
• LLB Admissions
• PGDL / GDL Admissions
• MA Law Admissions
• MLaw Admissions
• LLM Admissions
• JD Admissions
• Law Schools
• Law Modules
• Study Skills
• Careers Advice
• Job Openings
• Internships

Essential Law Essay Writing Tips

Law essay writing is a distinctive skill that demands precision, critical analysis, and the ability to articulate complex legal concepts effectively. Whether you are a law student or a seasoned legal professional, honing your essay-writing skills is essential. In this article, we explore key tips to help you excel in law essay writing and produce compelling, well-argued, and coherent legal essays.

Understand the Question

The foundation of a successful law essay lies in a comprehensive understanding of the question or prompt. Break down the question into its key components, identify the legal issues involved, and discern the specific requirements for your response.

Thorough Legal Research

Legal research is the backbone of any law essay. Utilise authoritative legal databases, primary sources, statutes, case law, and scholarly articles to gather relevant and up-to-date information. Cite reputable sources to strengthen the credibility of your arguments.

Structure Your Essay Effectively

Organise your essay with a clear and logical structure. Typically, law essays follow the IRAC (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion) or CREAC (Conclusion, Rule, Explanation, Application, Conclusion) format. Ensure that each section flows seamlessly into the next, building a coherent argument.

Develop a Strong Thesis Statement

Clearly articulate your main argument or thesis statement in the introduction. Your thesis should encapsulate the essence of your essay and provide a roadmap for the reader to follow throughout the paper.

Critical Analysis and Evaluation

Law essays require more than mere description; they demand critical analysis and evaluation of legal principles. Engage with the material critically, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of legal arguments, and demonstrating an in-depth understanding of the issues at hand.

Avoid Excessive Jargon

While legal writing often involves specialised terminology, avoid excessive jargon that may alienate readers. Strive for clarity in your language, ensuring that your arguments are accessible to both legal professionals and those with a general understanding of the law.

Support Arguments with Evidence

Substantiate your arguments with relevant and credible evidence. This may include statutory provisions, case precedents, legal principles, or scholarly opinions. The use of concrete evidence strengthens your position and reinforces the persuasiveness of your essay.

Consider Counterarguments

Anticipate and address potential counterarguments to your thesis. Acknowledging opposing viewpoints demonstrates intellectual rigour and strengthens your overall argument by addressing potential weaknesses in your position.

Precision in Legal Writing

Legal writing demands precision and clarity. Be explicit in your language, avoid unnecessary words, and ensure that your sentences convey information succinctly. Pay attention to legal definitions, and use terms accurately and appropriately.

Cite Sources Properly

Adhere to the prescribed citation style (e.g. OSCOLA , APA, MLA) consistently throughout your essay. Accurate citation not only strengthens the credibility of your work but also showcases your attention to detail.

Revision and Proofreading

Allocate time for thorough revision and proofreading. Review your essay for coherence, consistency, and adherence to guidelines. Check for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and ensure that your writing is polished and professional.

Seek Peer Feedback

Before submitting your law essay, seek feedback from peers, colleagues, or mentors. Fresh perspectives can provide valuable insights, helping you refine your arguments and improve the overall quality of your essay.

Mastering the art of law essay writing is an ongoing process that involves continuous improvement and refinement of your skills. By understanding the nuances of legal questions, conducting thorough research, developing strong arguments, and adhering to the principles of precision and clarity, you can elevate your law essay writing to new heights. Keep these tips in mind, and you'll be well-equipped to navigate the intricacies of legal discourse with confidence and expertise.

Trusted by thousands of law students worldwide

All 30 law modules (best value), all 18 uol modules (uol international programme), sqe foundation package, pgdl / gdl law conversion, 12 qualifying llb modules (uol standard entry route), 9 qualifying llb modules (uol graduate entry route), first year llb modules (uol standard entry route), first year llb modules (uol graduate entry route), law exam guide, second year llb modules (uol standard entry route), second year llb modules (uol graduate entry route), third year llb modules (uol standard entry route), third year llb modules (uol graduate entry route), contract law, legal english and writing, legal executive package (level 6), certhe common law (uol international programme), graddip commercial law (uol international programme), graddip international law (uol international programme), where are our students from.

Yale University

Council of Europe

Baker Mckenzie 

University of Chicago

Columbia University

New York University

University of Michigan 

University College London (UCL)

London School of Economics (LSE)

King’s College London (KCL)

University of London

University of Manchester

University of Zurich

University of York

Brandeis University

University of Exeter

University of Sheffield

Boston University

University of Washington

University of Leeds

University of Law

Royal Holloway, University of London 

Birkbeck, University of London

SOAS, University of London

University of Kent

University of Hull

Queen’s University Belfast

Toronto Metropolitan University

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Your perfect companion for open-book and closed-book exams

Diagrams and charts.

Our carefully designed diagrams and charts will guide you through complex legal issues.

Clear and Succinct Definitions

Key concepts are concisely defined to help you understand legal topics quickly.

Statutory Provisions

Statutory provisions are provided side by side with legal concepts to help you swiftly locate the relevant legislation.

We have summarised important cases for you so that you don't need to read long and boring cases.

Rules and Exceptions

Rules and exceptions are clearly listed so that you know when a rule applies and when it doesn't.

Terminology

Legal terms and key concepts are explained at the beginning of each chapter to help you learn efficiently.

Case law is provided side by side with legal concepts so that you know how legal principles and precedents were established.

Law Essay Guide

You will learn essential law exam skills and essay writing techniques that are not taught in class.

Problem Question Guide

We will show you how to answer problem questions step by step to achieve first-class results.

Structured Explanations

Complex legal concepts are broken down into concise and digestible bullet point explanations.

Legal Research

You will learn legal research techniques with our study guide and become a proficient legal researcher.

Exam-focused

All essential concepts, principles, and case law are included so that you can answer exam questions quickly.

• American Express

By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies. We use cookies to provide necessary site functionality and provide you with a great experience.

Post A Comment

Flag comment.

Are you sure you'd like to flag this comment as inappropriate?

Thank you for commenting

Your comment is awaiting moderation, and will be published as soon as it has been approved

Delete Comment

You're logged in as the blog owner. Would you like to delete this comment?

Your message has been successfully sent

Your form has been submitted. Please check your email for a copy of your responses. If you're accepted, you'll receive an email with a link to checkout.

Could not add item to cart

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to footer

Law School Toolbox®

All the tools you need for law school success

Legal Writing Basics

Read on for ideas about how to approach your Legal Research and Writing class , some must-know legal writing basics , and more advanced content on using different legal research options and on the specifics of constructing legal arguments .

Best of luck!

• Three Cs of Legal Writing...And One T The Three Cs of all good writing are clarity, concision, and coherence. And for legal writing, especially for law school writing , you have only to add one T to that list: Technical writing.
• 5 Tips for Citing Web-Based Sources in Legal Writing Did you know that the Bluebook has a way to cite social media? With web-based resources growing in popularity and respectability, it's important to know how (and when!) to cite to these sources.
• 7 Tips to Improve Your Legal Writing Let's face it. Legal writing is as hard as it is important. Here are some simple tips that will help you strengthen your written work product and impress your professors.
• The Elusive Mini-IRAC: A Key to Law School Exam Success IRAC, the notorious structural underpinning of many a law school final exam is a relatively straightforward concept. But how do you handle an exam or practice essay when it isn’t that simple? The Mini-IRAC is the key.
• First-Hand Guide to 1L Courses -- Legal Research & Writing It's a good idea to go into your first year courses with a general understanding of what you should expect from them. Click here to learn a bit about Legal Research and Writing!
• Six Legal Writing Tips to Help You Stand Out This Summer Here are six legal writing tips to help you prepare and truly stand out in an unusual summer experience.
• Should Your Law School Essay Be Wearing Sweatpants or a Suit? Students sometimes tell us that their professor said typos don’t matter on an exam. Is that an excuse to ignore the most basic rules of grammar and spelling, and write like a slob? Definitely not!
• The Art of Rule Synthesis Now you’re in law school and there are a whole bunch of rules you have to memorize that may have nothing to do with how you live your life. But you have to know these rules cold so they can come to you at the right moment during a law school exam. But wait, now you’re told there is a whole new category of rules. These are rules you have to create yourself in your legal writing class. This requires something called “synthesis.” So, what exactly does that mean?
• The Art of the Case Name (and 8 You Should Know) When you start law school, you may be surprised how often case names are used not only as shorthand for their holdings, but also as terms of art that represent fundamental legal concepts. Read this post if you want to get a jump start on learning some of the most important ones.
• Ahead of the Curve: From Undergrad to Law School -- Making the Transition, Part Two One of the most challenging parts of moving from an "undergrad" to a "law school" mindset is adapting your writing style. Here are some things to consider as you start your 1L year.
• How to Get Answers From the Bluebook Need some help navigating the Bluebook. Get tips here.
• Is Your Open Memo Research Finished? You’ve been researching your open memo, experiencing frustration, relief, and maybe even exhilaration along the way. But now you’re feeling fatigue and an unsettling sense that you’re not sure whether you’re done. What to do?
• Five Tips for a Great Legal Writing Assignment Many first-year students are struggling with their legal writing assignments. As you continue to work on developing your legal writing skills, here are some tips to keep in mind.
• Why Legal Citations Are Important and Should Not Be Ignored In this post we share with you why citations are important and how you should approach your assignment to make sure that citations don’t get ignored (as this often leads to easy missed points come grading time).
• How to Outline a Complex Legal Research Memo Here are some steps to take in outlining a memo.
• Five Secrets of Effective Legal Writing Legal writing can inform, persuade, argue, intimidate, notify, and serve all kinds of other functions. Fortunately, the mechanics of legal writing are mostly the same regardless of what kind of document you are producing. Here are a few tips to help all of your legal writing stand out.
• Five Things Professional Readers Expect from Legal Writers This post identifies 5 qualities considered by busy PR’s when holistically assessing or grading the quality of a written legal instrument.
• Podcast Episode 11: Legal Writing 101 What is it about the term Legal Writing that makes law students cringe? In this episode we talk about what makes legal writing so difficult, and how you can improve your writing skills, and more!
• Podcast Episode 68: Top 10 Legal Research and Writing Disasters to Avoid Almost every 1L in the country will take some sort of legal research and writing class. Today, we’re discussing the top ten LRW disasters we see again and again, so you can avoid them!
• Podcast Episode 156: Our Top 10 Academic Podcast Episodes Today, we’re doing a recap of our top 10 academic episodes, plus a few bonus ones. These aren’t necessarily the most popular episodes, but the ones we think are the most useful!

How to Approach Your Legal Research and Writing Class

• Embrace the Difference of Legal Writing One of the biggest transitions you'll make as a 1L is writing like a lawyer. Here's why legal writing is different from what you've done before.
• Keep the Train on the Tracks: Independent Writing and Research in Law School There are lots of reasons independent research and writing can be great for a law student, but it's important to make sure you're staying focused and on schedule. We're offering some ideas for doing your best with independent work.
• Law School Toolbox Experts Share: Tips for Conquering Legal Writing Are you stressed out about taking Legal Writing? We have all been there! The Law School Toolbox experts share their tips for conquering Legal Writing.
• Four Legal Writing Tips from the Theatre Legal writers can learn a lot from writing for the theatre. Don’t believe me? Watch a good litigator in court.
• Could You Explain This Legal Concept to a 5-Year-Old? The next time you encounter a super-confusing legal topic, ask yourself one question: could I explain this concept to a reasonably intelligent 5-year-old? If the answer’s no, it’s time to simplify! Here's how.
• Be Ready to Throw Your Writing Style Out the Window in Law School It doesn't matter if you think you're a great writer going into law school. Legal writing has its own style. What matters is that you learn how to do it the right way (or at least the way the professor wants it)!
• Approaching Your Legal Writing Assignment Like a Jazz Solo Jazz standards and legal writing are really quite similar. They’re both vehicles for expression that channel creativity into a few common forms.
• The Link Between Legal Writing and Final Exams What's the difference between legal writing for your LRW class and writing on your final exams? Find out more about the what's the same, and what's different.
• Legal Writing Tip: Imagine You’re Talking to Your Grandma The first few times you try to write a legal memo, it’s going to be a little awkward. Don’t worry, that’s normal. While you may be trying to sound like a super smart lawyer, here’s another idea: imagine the client is your grandmother.

Legal Research Resources and How to Use Them

• "Good Law" vs "Bad Law" Explained There are plenty of landmines in law school legal writing, but whether you are citing “good law” is a fundamental step of legal analysis that will be crucial to your success in law school and beyond. This post won’t cover every possible scenario, but hopefully it will provide a strategy for thinking through your good law/bad law analysis and make that Shepard’s report just a little less daunting.
• 15 Latin Legal Terms Every 1L Should Know Along with mastering complicated legal concepts, enduring the Socratic method, learning to outline, and tackling legal writing, law school forces you to learn an entirely new vocabulary. Learning the language of the law is a real hurdle that cannot be overlooked just because it is not covered on the syllabus. This post will give you 15 Latin legal terms frequently encountered, but rarely translated or discussed. Without further ado –
• Bluebook Oddities: 10 Unlikely Citations Love it or hate it, The Bluebook is an unavoidable fixture of the law school experience. No matter how fluent you become in The Bluebook, it seems to always be full of surprises. Here is a list of some of our favorite citations you never knew you could find in the deep recesses of your Bluebook.
• Dealing with Dicta: 10 Questions Asked and Answered Whether researching case law or reading an assigned case, understanding and identifying dicta in a judicial opinion is a must. You probably know that you can’t rely on dicta as binding precedent in a future case, but what is it and how can you be sure to recognize it? If the concept of dicta seems complicated, it is. Here are ten frequently asked questions and answers to help you to successfully deal with dicta.
• A Law Student's Perspective: LexisNexis Tips LexisNexis is one of the three major legal databases (others:  Westlaw  and  Bloomberg ) which you will become familiar with throughout your legal career. Each person has their own preference on what database they will use. Do not feel obligated to choose one that someone else suggests. Nevertheless, these are the cool things Lexis has to offer which may be useful!
• Your First Guide to Secondary Sources Researching and legal writing are two central tasks that attorneys perform frequently. There are three major legal databases: LexisNexis ,  Westlaw, and Bloomberg. This guide will focus on a great first step to research: secondary sources.
• Dos and Don'ts for Using Sample Documents in Legal Writing What you should and shouldn't do when you are using sample documents in legal writing.
• What Can Your Law Library Offer You? If you detest studying in the library at your law school, don’t do it ! It’s not required to do well on your exams. That said, though, did you know that law libraries often house some fantastic resources that many law students never take advantage of? If you’re just starting out exploring your law library, or want to get more out of navigating the library you know and love, here are some resources to check out.
• Law Librarians Explained: Everything a 1L Should Know Many 1Ls think of the law library as simply a place to study. If that's you, you're overlooking one of the most important resources in law school: the law librarian. Read on to learn more!

Different Approaches to Constructing Legal Arguments

• How and Why: Deepening Your Legal Reasoning Melissa L. Greipp, Associate Professor of Legal Writing at Marquette Law School, talks about how to deepen your legal reasoning by using two simple words: how and why.
• If X, Y, and Z, then A: Legal Analysis is Simple Professor Joel Trachtman who teaches International Law at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, shares some tips on conquering legal analysis.
• A Formula for Rule Analysis Success Law school gives you formulas like IRAC to help you through the process of learning legal analysis and writing. In a recent post, we shared with you a formula for the “R” section of IRAC that was developed by Professor Hollee S. Temple of the West Virginia College of Law. Now, let’s take a look at Professor Temple’s formula for the “A” section of IRAC.
• How to Construct a Policy Argument Policy arguments make many law students uncomfortable. You may panic when you’re expected to argue policy in an exam answer or legal writing assignment. Why is this, and how can you overcome it?
• From Objective to Persuasive Writing, Part 1: Law The classic LRW curriculum introduces objective (or predictive) writing, in the form of an office memorandum, in the fall, then switches to persuasive writing, typically an appellate brief (less often, a trial brief) in the spring. Many students struggle with this transition, feeling as if they’ve barely mastered one approach before being asked to change gears.
• From Objective to Persuasive Writing, Part 2: Facts We’ve recently discussed the shift from objective to persuasive writing, focusing on drafting persuasive legal arguments. Your approach to the facts will change from objective to persuasive as well.
• Podcast Episode 84: Using Rules Effectively in Legal Writing (With Guest Jason Jones) Today, we’re talking with Law School Toolbox tutor (and former law professor) Jason Jones about a very important aspect of law school exam success – using legal rules.

Want Better Law School Grades?

Sign Up for Our Exam Tips!

• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions

Copyright 2024 Law School Toolbox®™

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• College University and Postgraduate
• Academic Writing

How to Write a Law Essay

Last Updated: August 11, 2023

This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD . Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013. This article has been viewed 240,038 times.

In a college legal studies course, and in some law school courses, you may be required to write a research paper addressing a legal topic. These essays can be tricky, because the law is constantly evolving. To secure a top grade, your essay must be well-researched and coherently argued. With proper planning and research, you can write a stellar legal essay. [Note: this article does not address how to write law school essay exams or bar exam questions, which require different techniques and strategies.]

Choosing an Essay Topic

• A narrow essay prompt might read, "Discuss the evolution and impact of the exclusionary rule of evidence in the United States." A broad prompt might read, "Discuss how a civil rights movement led to changes in federal and/or state law."
• If you are invited to choose your own topic, your professor may require you to submit a written proposal or outline to ensure that your chosen topic complies with the prompt. If you are not sure if your topic is within the parameters of the prompt, propose your topic to your professor after class or during his or her office hours.

• Hopefully, your course readings, lectures, and class discussions will have given you enough background knowledge to select a topic. If not, review your class notes and browse online for additional background information.
• It is not uncommon to change your topic after doing some research. You may end up narrowing the questions your essay will answer, or changing your topic completely.

• If you can, try to focus on an are of the law that affects you. For example, if your family is involved in agriculture, you may be interested in writing about water use regulations .

Researching Your Topic

• If you are prohibited from citing internet resources, you can still use online research to guide you to physical primary and secondary sources in your local library or bookstore.

• Look at footnotes, citations, and indexes in tertiary sources. These are great for finding books, articles, and legal cases that are relevant to your topic. Also take note of the names of authors, who may have written multiple works on your topic.

• Also find search engines for related fields, such as history or political science. Ask your librarian to recommend specialized search engines tailored to other disciplines that may have contributed to your topic.

• Never cut and paste from the web into your notes or essay. This often leads to inadvertent plagiarism because students forget what is a quotation and what is paraphrasing. When gathering sources, paraphrase or add quotation marks in your outline.
• Plagiarism is a serious offense. If you ultimately hope to be a lawyer, an accusation of plagiarism could prevent you from passing the character and fitness review.

Drafting the Essay

• An effective introduction takes the reader out of his world and into the world of your essay. [2] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source Explain why the subject is important and briefly summarizes the rest of your argument. After reading your introduction, your reader should know what you are going to discuss and in what order you will be discussing it.
• Be prepared to revise your introduction later. Summarizing your essay will be easier after you have written it, especially if you deviate from your outline.

• State each argument of your essay as a statement that, if true, would support your thesis statement.
• Provide supporting information drawn from primary and secondary sources that support your argument. Remember to cite your sources.
• Provide your own original analysis, explaining to the reader that based on the primary and secondary sources you have presented, the reader should be persuaded by your argument.

Formatting Your Essay

Proofreading the Essay

• Open up a Word document. On the Quick Access Toolbar at the top, click on the down arrow. The words “Customize Quick Access Toolbar” will appear when you hover over the arrow for two seconds.
• Click on the arrow. Then click on “More Commands.”
• In the “Choose commands from” drop-down box, choose “All commands.”
• Scroll down to find “Speak.” Highlight this and then click “add.” Then click “okay.” Now the Speak function should appear on your Quick Access Toolbar.
• Highlight the text you want read back to you, and then click on the Speak icon. The text will be read back to you.

• Do not rely on a spell checker exclusively, as it will not catch typos like "statute" versus "statue."

Revising the Essay

• You can share the essay with someone outside of class, but a classmate more likely has the requisite knowledge to understand the subject matter of the essay.

Expert Q&A

You might also like.

• ↑ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/engagement/2/2/53/
• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/introductions/
• ↑ https://www.legalbluebook.com/
• ↑ https://support.office.com/en-ca/article/Using-the-Speak-text-to-speech-feature-459e7704-a76d-4fe2-ab48-189d6b83333c

About This Article

To write a law essay, start by writing a thesis statement on your chosen topic. Phrase your thesis statement as an argument, using words like “because” or “therefore” to state your point. Write an outline of the arguments you will use to support your thesis statement, then use that outline to build the body of your paper. Include any counter-arguments, but use your evidence to convince the reader why your point of view is valid, and the counter-arguments are not. Be sure to cite all of your sources in the format preferred by your professor. For tips from our reviewer on finding the best sources for your topic, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Did this article help you?

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

[email protected]

10 Useful Tips For Writing Quality Legal Essays

For most students, writing a quality legal essay is hard. Writing a quality legal essay requires an understanding of the subject, as well as the ability to form your arguments clearly and persuasively. It’s not just about having an idea, it’s also about making sure that you can prove your point and back up the claims with solid examples and data.

However, there are many different ways to approach this task, some of them more effective than others. To help you write a good legal essay, our law essay help is here. In this article, we’ll look at ten tips for writing quality legal essays that will help you improve your skills in no time!

10 Tips For Writing Quality Legal Essays Every Law Student Must Know

Writing a quality essay isn’t as difficult as you might think. With a little preparation, you can turn out essays that are professional and well-written without spending hours on the clock. Here are 10 tips for writing quality legal essays:

1.   Outline Your Case

The first step to writing a quality essay is to outline the main points you will make in your paper. Outlining your paper can help you focus on what’s most important. While also allowing you to avoid writing copycat essays that feel like they’re all the same.

When outlining, it’s important that you:

• Define each point by explaining why it matters and how it relates to other parts of the argument. For example: “This issue is important because…” or “The purpose of this paragraph is…”
• Use evidence from other sources that support your point. This could include quotes from books or websites. As well as primary source documents like court cases or testimonies from experts who have studied issues related to this topic.
• You can also use evidence from your own experience or observations. This may be especially helpful if you’re writing about a topic that’s personal to you.

2.   Conduct Legal Research

Conducting legal research is one of the most important tasks in writing a quality legal essay. The information you gather will help you navigate through your topic, and it’s also crucial to being able to convey the concepts effectively.

Here are some things to keep in mind when conducting legal research:

●     Do A Thorough Search:

Start by searching for relevant case laws (precedents) and statutes from which you can draw conclusions about how they relate to your topic. You should also look into related topics if there are any connections between them. This will make sure that everything fits together nicely when finished!

●     Use Library Resources:

Many libraries have databases full of information about cases, statutes and other documents related to law. The information you find here will help you out as you begin to write your essay. Be sure to cite your sources properly!

3.   Assume The Audience Has No Previous Knowledge

The next tip to write a quality legal essay is to assume that your audience has no previous knowledge about the topic. They may know what a case is about, but they don’t know what the facts are, or what issues are at stake.

They’ll also have no idea of any law pertaining to their situation and how it applies to them. So when you start writing your paper, it’s important that you make sure that your readers aren’t going in blind. They fully understand what they’re reading and why certain things matter or don’t matter in terms of the law.

4.   Avoid Ambiguity (Clear, Concise Writing)

Clarity and conciseness are two of the hallmarks of good legal writing. To be clear, these terms refer to how concisely you can express your ideas in a way that helps readers understand what you’re saying.

A good rule of thumb is to avoid ambiguity when writing about a legal topic. That is, don’t write in such a way that people could misinterpret your meaning. Or make false assumptions about what you mean by certain words or phrases. If there’s any doubt about whether something should be interpreted literally or figuratively, look at some other examples of similar cases. Try to understand how they define things and use that knowledge in your own essay.

5.   Use a Single Argument or Point of View

One of the most important things you can do to improve your writing is to make sure that each essay has a single argument or point of view. The idea is to write an essay in which each topic covered has one central idea and not multiple ideas that are tied together.

It also means not trying to cover too much ground in one short paper. Instead, concentrate on one particular issue and explain why it needs changing/improving/etc., rather than trying to cover everything under one topic.

Finally, don’t try too hard! If something isn’t working out as planned (and sometimes even if it does), give yourself permission not only to stop but also to start again later – maybe even tomorrow morning!

6.   Make The Reader Relate

The most important thing about writing an essay about a topic that readers can relate to. So make sure you start with an anecdote or personal experience that relates back to your main point.

You should also try to be specific. When writing in a persuasive tone, it’s important not to generalize too much or use vague terms like “all” or “everybody.” Instead, try to be specific about who or what you’re speaking on behalf of. And make sure you keep your audience in mind throughout the entire process!

7.   Avoid Clichés And Jargon

Don’t write in an overly formal tone or use strange words that don’t mean anything. Instead, try to write in a more conversational style and make sure your essay flows smoothly from point to point with no unnecessary pauses or breaks.

●     Avoid Clichés

Clichés are words or phrases that have become so overused they’re no longer effective in conveying your meaning. They can be annoying and even distracting because they sound like you’re just reciting the same thing over and over again. For example: “The court found John guilty of stealing the car.” Instead of using this exact phrase, try something like “The court found that John was convicted for committing the crime of stealing the car.”

●     Avoid Jargon

Jargon is a specialized language used by professionals in specific fields. However, it has become part of everyday conversation among laypeople as well (e.g., “the US economy”). You should avoid using jargon unless you are familiar with its context—if not then chances are good that people will misunderstand what you’re saying!

●     Avoid Passive Voice

Avoid passive-voice sentences whenever possible. The active syntax makes for better reading comprehension which helps create clarity for readers when writing about legal topics. So try to use more active sentences than passive ones.

●     Avoid Confusing Pronouns

Be consistent with your pronouns (e.g., he, she, they) and make sure that they don’t keep changing throughout the text (e.g., “he” in one paragraph and “she” in another paragraph). This can cause confusion and throw off readers’ attention spans–if they can’t keep track of who’s referring to whom, they might not be able to follow along with what’s being discussed!

8.   Write Conclusions Thoughtfully

Make sure your conclusions follow the evidence presented. Include supporting evidence; if possible, include citations for any facts or sources that support what you’re saying. This will help convince readers of your argument!

Be careful not to make assumptions about the reader’s knowledge of the subject or any other aspect of your essay. Make sure that you’re able to clearly explain what you’ve learned and why it’s important. Along with any suggestions for how readers can apply this information in their own lives or careers.

9.   Take An Interest In Your Topic

If you want to write a quality legal essay, take an interest in your topic. You don’t have to be an expert on everything. But it helps if you can relate what you know about the law and its applications back to your own experiences.

For example, if you’re writing about how the Constitution protects individuals from excessive search and seizure by police officers under the Fourth Amendment (which protects against unreasonable searches), then think about how this rule applies in real-life situations that have happened recently or are ongoing at this very moment (e.g., police brutality). This will help ensure that any information presented by you sounds true to your readers!

10. Proofread Your Essay Several Times

Proofreading is the most important part of writing an essay. It can make or break your grade, so it’s crucial to get it right. First, use a spell-checker if you have one installed on your computer. This will catch any spelling mistakes and make sure everything looks proper before you submit your essay.

Another tip is to read what you’ve written out loud before hitting “save.” This helps keep track of any awkward wording or confusing phrases, which could trip up a reader later on in the process of reading through your work. You might even want someone else—a friend or family member—to read through their edits aloud too!

Final Thoughts

The most important thing to remember is that there’s no one way to write an essay for me. It might seem like there are only a few options, but each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. You should take the time to figure out what works best for you before deciding which strategy you want to use in your future legal essays . Hopefully, these tips will help make your writing more effective.

Teaching & Learning

Legal writing in focus.

As a lawyer, teacher, and director for the past 14 years of Harvard Law School’s First-Year Legal Research and Writing Program, Susannah Barton Tobin ’04 sees a lot of legal writing, some good, some less good. But she doesn’t entirely agree with the framing of a recent article in The Economist titled, “Why legal writing is so awful,” discussing a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in which the authors blamed the continuing use of “arcane” and “archaic” legal lingo, in part, on what they perceived as lawyers’ tendency to imitate their predecessors’ poor prose.  

Armed with two degrees in classics, a J.D. from Harvard Law, and years of writing and teaching experience, Tobin recently spoke to Harvard Law Today about the study and offered a few tips for new law students, long-time legal practitioners, and aspiring writers of all stripes. Above all, she says, before you open your laptop or pick up your pen, know your audience and what you are trying to achieve.

Harvard Law Today: Is legal writing as bad as The Economist and the study argue, or does it get a bad rap?

Susannah Barton Tobin: Legal writing has had a bad rap for as long as I can remember being involved in it, as a reader, as a student, and as a practitioner. But as a teacher, I think legal writing is writing. There’s good writing, and there’s bad writing, and there’s middling writing. And what we’re trying to do when we teach students how to write is to help them communicate as effectively as possible with the audience they’re trying to reach and with the particular purpose they have in mind.

I agree with the hypothesis that there’s path dependency bound up in legal writing, and particularly in the United States, where our common law tradition makes us want to stick with what has worked. But a simpler reason why some legal writing is bad is the same reason why some non-legal writing is bad: Writing well takes a lot of time and patience, particularly when you’re trying to explain complicated ideas, which lawyers almost always are trying to do.

HLT: Does it matter if legal writing is good writing ?

Tobin: I teach legal writing, so of course I think it matters. It is advantageous for students and young attorneys to be known as good legal writers. Being able to explain what the law says and how it works in a clear and honest way is an essential skill to being a good lawyer and a good citizen in the democracy. From a professional perspective, you advance further, faster if you’re known to be a reliably strong legal writer.

HLT: Where do you see bad legal writing the most?

Tobin: The two categories the study emphasized were contracts and statutory language. And it makes sense why those would be where you would start. They’re both notably long and complicated. A lot of cooks are involved, particularly with legislation, where you have lawmakers and lobbyists and all kinds of feedback and last-minute changes. There’s a great quote from [former U.S. Senator from Wisconsin] Russ Feingold ’79, after he was the only senator to vote against the Patriot Act. When they asked him why he had voted no, he said “Because I read it.” That was a particularly political point. But it speaks to the fact that nobody’s able to sit down and read these legislative documents start to finish. Is Congress trying to create something that people are going to read and be able to understand? I’m not sure that’s really what is happening anymore with legislation. So, is that a feature or a bug? It may be a feature for the people trying to pass the law, but it’s a huge bug for people who are trying to figure out what’s going on.

HLT: Where do you see the best legal writing?

Tobin: Brief writing, particularly at the highest levels of the federal courts, is where you see some of the best writing, partially because the stakes of the disputes are so high and so publicly salient. When my students are looking for good legal writing, I encourage them to read briefs that are coming out of the Office of the Solicitor General, briefs that are coming out of nonprofits and firms that practice regularly before the Supreme Court.

HLT: So, it sounds like a lot of this comes down to, as most writing does, a question of audience?

Tobin: I think that’s exactly right. And that’s why I’m not a big fan of the idea that legal writing is a totally separate animal from any other writing. If you haven’t thought about your audience, then why are you doing the writing? A former editorial writer for The New York Times, Verlyn Klinkenborg, wrote this really helpful book called “Several Short Sentences About Writing.” And he’s got this particularly memorable point about composing a sentence: Once you write a sentence, it’s an orphan that you send out into the world and you can’t accompany it to help explain it, or to say “This is what I meant. You didn’t understand what I meant. But here’s what I meant.” And that’s the conversation I regularly have with students.

HLT: Has the amount of writing that practicing lawyers do changed over time?

Tobin: That’s an empirical question. I had a conversation with a judge I clerked for in the early 2000s, who wondered why opinions were getting so long: “Why can’t we write an Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. style short opinion?” Part of it is the common law tradition, in which we’re always accumulating more precedent, more statutory language, new sources, and more context for any dispute that arises. If you want to be thorough, you have to trace that evolution. So perhaps there’s more writing being done. On the other hand, lawyers are writing shorter pieces, maybe less formal contributions, than they did 30 or 40 years ago. What used to be a formal memo might now be a quick email with bullets outlining the most important points. So, I’m not sure that there is more or less writing being done, but the form of it and the speed with which it’s being requested may be changing.

HLT: Does the law still need to use Latin, which is a dead language, other than in the Vatican? Or does it just serve as a barrier to entry for non-Latin speakers?

Tobin: This is a fraught topic for me because I was fortunate to study Latin at the Vatican with the papal Latin secretary, the late Father Reginald Foster. So, I’ll have to fight the premise that Latin is bad as an absolute matter. Good writing often comes from a deep understanding of etymology, which comes in large part from a deep understanding of the Latin origins of English and of Latin rhetoric. We have learned a great deal, for example, from Cicero’s powerfully persuasive writing, including his legal arguments, or from the sharp clarity of Seneca. Of course, Latin is not the only influence on English language and law.

One of my favorite quotes on writing is from George Orwell’s “Politics and the English Language”: ”What is above all needed is to let the meaning choose the word and not the other way about.” One of the reasons writing takes time is that word choice matters. It’s good advice to remind students not to use $10 words when a 50-cent word will do. I don’t want my students going out of their way to use a polysyllabic word to show that they are smart. I know that they are smart. But I think the advice also runs the risk of proving too much, because English is a phenomenally rich language, influenced by Latin and other languages. And some words thought to be synonyms don’t mean exactly the same thing as other words. So sometimes, if you’re looking for a synonym, or you’re trying to be simple and direct, you can run the risk of losing nuance, and you run the risk of losing precision. And — maybe this is going too far — losing the chance for poetry in your writing, if you keep the vocabulary too narrow. And so, I guess I would have a plea for a middle ground, as Orwell suggests — choose the right word for the meaning you want.

But I also think Latin is used less today than it used to be in legal writing. Some Latin terms of art are, from our common law tradition, embedded in the law. Our students need to know what those words mean, so they can appreciate the meaning of a judicial opinion or the way a statute is constructed. But if you’re going to use Latin, you need to explain what it means. You don’t use it just as a bomb that you throw in the middle of a sentence to impress people or confuse readers.

So, should we be using Latin to gatekeep, to make it harder for people to understand? Absolutely not. But should we get rid of it entirely? Also no.

HLT: Do you have any legal writing tips for new students, upper-level students, or even practicing lawyers?

Tobin: My best advice for good writing is to read good writing. And so, even though they have many, many pages of required reading for class, I recommend to my students that they also keep reading narrative nonfiction, like articles in The New Yorker, because it’s like listening to music. If you have good rhythmic sentences in your head, if you hear the way someone puts together varied lengths of sentences and uses transitions well, and explains complicated concepts well, that sound will stay with you. I don’t know that I’ve convinced everybody to carry Ta-Nehisi Coates, Joan Didion, John McPhee, or Toni Morrison (not just her novels but essays) around with them, but I wish they would. I will give a shout-out to Chief Justice John Roberts ‘79 and Justice Elena Kagan ‘86, two of the best practitioners of legal writing.  Their sentence-level writing is superb. Bryan Garner’s “ Legal Writing in Plain English ,” Third Edition is a particularly helpful guide. And if you’re having trouble figuring out what’s good legal writing, ask your faculty what they recommend.

HLT: So, improve your writing by reading good writing. Any other tips?

Barton Tobin: Justice Kagan likes to say that good writing is hard. It takes a lot of time. It takes multiple drafts. I think that advice can be frustrating to hear when time is limited. But it’s profoundly true. Certainly, when you’re learning a new genre, your work is not going to come out perfectly the first time. But sadly, or perhaps encouragingly, as a practitioner of legal writing, you’re never going to be done practicing. You’re always going to be working to get better. And so, we do drafts and revisions, and we receive feedback, from peers and from instructors. On the peer editing point, sometimes my students will say to me, “Well, we’re not lawyers yet. So how can we possibly give good advice to our peers about their drafts?” I say, “But you are readers, and you know how to respond to something if it doesn’t make sense. And the fact that it doesn’t make sense, actually isn’t your problem. It’s the writer’s problem. It’s not that you’re confused, but that the writing is confusing.” And so, being able to give constructive feedback, and to feel justified in giving that feedback, I think helps you become a good reader of your own prose and a good editor. You’re ultimately your own editor. At the end of the day, you’re responsible for what you submit. Whatever feedback you get, you’re developing the skill of incorporating multiple suggestions and making judgments about which changes you’re going to accept.

Finally, as a lawyer, and particularly as a litigator, you are a professional writer. And there is pleasure to be taken in crafting prose that is powerful and persuasive. As busy as lawyers are, the benefits of taking care with your words is professionally and psychologically huge. And so, I hope people remember that truth.

Want to stay up to date with Harvard Law Today? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Modal Gallery

Gallery block modal gallery.

Username or email  *

Password  *

Forgotten password?

[email protected]

+44 (0)20 8834 4579

Legal Writing: Start Writing Like a Lawyer!

If you’re currently studying to be a lawyer, chances are that you’ll be entering the legal world at some point in the next ten years. It seems like a while off, but it might arrive quicker than you think. Are you ready?

In this article, we’ll take you through five ways to improve your legal writing: in other words, writing for business, and not for an academic essay. Get to know the tips, try them out in your applications and assessment days – and you’ll be ready to hit the ground running when your legal career kicks off.

1. Get to the Point

First up, make your point and make it clearly, quickly and well. This might, in fact, be the biggest change from academic writing to legal writing. In an essay, it might work to start with a broad outline of the background, then move to the context, and then (a good few pages later) begin to outline your views. In legal writing, however, you want to make it as easy as possible for your recipient to grasp the point.

The simplest way of doing this is to actually dedicate some time to working out what you’re trying to say. Sounds obvious, but be honest – we’ve all started writing a piece of text without really knowing what we’re trying to do with it.

If it helps, you could try explaining the concept to yourself first (see tip five, also): it often takes analysis like this to really get to the heart of your understanding. Once you’ve done this (and yes, it’s difficult work, but worth it), you’ll be ready to start crafting your text, with the main point going first and the background/context following afterwards.

2. Have a View, or an Opinion

Have you ever read a piece of writing where you’re not really sure what the author thinks? Maybe they argue one way, and then another, and perhaps end up somewhere in this middle. This is not what you’re going for in legal writing. Instead, think about the answer to the question you’re solving, or the point you’re making.

What’s your opinion about it? What recommendations do you have for the next steps? What should the recipient of your writing be thinking, or considering, or taking action on? Bonus points if you can add in a couple of explicit recommendations for what you think should happen next.

3. Give Advice in a Commercial Context

Commercial awareness, in its essence, is this: being aware of the commercial context. Sounds obvious, but it’s actually one of the most forgotten elements when it comes to legal writing for business. Too often, lawyers think of themselves as specialist advisers, giving guidance on the letter of the law. But the most effective legal advice is tailored to the client’s needs, goals and objectives (in other words, advice tailored to the commercial context).

So, how to integrate your legal advice and your commercial understanding? A good strategy to adopt is to spend time investigating the client’s business context. Think about what they actually want, what they’re asking for, and only then dive into the relevant law. Once you understand the legal foundation, you’ll then be in a good position to explain it with an emphasis on how it applies to that particular client, in that particular case. Make sure you’re not wasting space on material that is neither relevant nor important – get to the point and deliver the answer.

4. Use Formatting Techniques

Until now, perhaps you’ve avoided bullet points, or numbered lists, or subheadings. Maybe they seemed too simplistic for your academic writing. Well, this is the time to make friends with formatting. You want your legal writing to be easy to read, easy to understand and easy to put into action, even if it deals with an incredibly complex issue.

One way of doing this is to break up the text: think about how the reader would best be able to comprehend the information, and draft accordingly. Whenever you find good examples of other people doing this, make a note, and try it out for yourself.

5. Know Your Own Writing

Here’s a quick test for you: can you explain your point, in as few sentences as possible, and still capture the essence of what you’re trying to say? It’s often when we try and explain a concept to someone else that we realise we haven’t really understood it ourselves. A fellow student might be a willing participant if you want someone to practice on – or just try explaining it to yourself! If you find that you hesitate, revisit your analysis.

Sounds counterintuitive, but it’s true – the more you understand a topic deeply, the less you’ll need to play around with jargon, long sentences and complicated descriptions. It takes a lot of effort to write with clarity, grace and style – but you’ll be recognised and rewarded for it.

Words: Eloise Skinner

Eloise Skinner is a solicitor at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP. Eloise started her journey in law at the University of Cambridge, graduating with a triple first-class degree. Following her studies, Eloise developed an interest in professional development, leading her to become a frequent contributor on careers-related topics for organisations such as The Lawyer , Lex 100 and the Law Society . Her new book, Junior Lawyers’ Handbook, can be purchased here .

• Earn Money with Law Essays
• LNAT Essay: Section B

Free Guides

Our free guides cover everything from deciding on law to studying and practising law abroad. Search through our vast directory.

Upcoming Events

Explore our events for aspiring lawyers. Sponsored by top institutions, they offer fantastic insights into the legal profession.

Join Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list for weekly updates and advice on how to get into law.

Law Quizzes

Try our selection of quizzes for aspiring lawyers for a fun way to gain insight into the legal profession!

PREVIOUS ARTICLE

Top 6 Jobs for Barristers Without Pupillages

NEXT ARTICLE

Life as a Trainee at Curzon Green

You may also like.

Loading More Content

Understanding Legal Writing

From my extensive experience, legal writing is an art that demands a solid grasp of legal principles and the skill to express these principles clearly and compellingly. It stands apart as a genre where precision in language and logic in argumentation is paramount. 

I’ve observed students’ challenges transitioning from general essay writing to the structured and precise nature of legal writing. The focus should be on clarity and exactness. Legal arguments need to be direct and unambiguous. 

However, this doesn’t mean the writing should be dry or overly formal. The most impactful legal writing captivates the reader, making even the most complex legal ideas approachable and engaging.

Law Essay Writing Techniques

When it comes to crafting law essays, structure is paramount. A well-organized essay not only guides the reader but also clarifies your arguments. Having a solid thesis is crucial. It serves as the guiding light for your entire essay, shaping your arguments and supporting evidence.

An essay with a clear, concise thesis will more likely resonate with its audience. It’s not just about presenting information; it’s about constructing a persuasive and logical argument. This involves careful planning and a thorough understanding of the subject matter.

The Legal Precedents

An aspect of legal essays is the use of precedents. In my career, I’ve seen how the adept inclusion of case law can bolster an argument. It’s not merely about referencing cases; it’s about integrating them into your argument to enhance your position. This requires a deep understanding of your chosen cases and the ability to connect them logically to your arguments. It’s like weaving a tapestry – each thread must be carefully placed to create a coherent and convincing picture.

Effective Legal Research Strategy

Going thorough legal research is foundational. It’s the bedrock upon which your essay is built. With the right research strategies, you can uncover valuable insights and authoritative sources that add weight to your essay. 

The key is gathering information and critically analyzing its relevance and impact on your topic. It involves sifting through vast information to find those golden nuggets that will make your essay stand out. It’s a skill that requires patience and practice, but once mastered, it becomes an invaluable tool in your legal writing arsenal.

Critical Analysis of Sources

Evaluating the credibility and relevance of sources is a skill honed over time. In my career, I’ve learned to distinguish between what is useful and what is not. This discernment is crucial in legal writing, where every source contributes to the strength or weakness of your argument. It’s about looking beyond the surface and understanding each source’s underlying principles and arguments. This level of analysis ensures that your essay is well-researched and rich in depth and insight.

Guidelines for Writing Law Essays

Certain guidelines can significantly enhance the quality of law essays. The first step is always to comprehend the question entirely. It might seem elementary, but understanding the question’s depth is crucial for crafting a relevant reaction. Planning is the next critical step. A well-planned essay ensures that each part contributes effectively to the whole. This involves outlining your main points and arranging them in a logical sequence. A good plan is a roadmap, ensuring you stay on topic and cover all necessary aspects.

Effective legal writing communicates ideas and demonstrates the writer’s understanding of legal concepts and their application. Incorporating real-life cases or hypothetical scenarios can make your arguments more tangible and relatable. Additionally, critical thinking plays a significant role. Question assumptions, scrutinize arguments, and consider counterarguments to strengthen your essay. Remember, a great law essay doesn’t just inform; it engages and challenges both the writer and the reader, fostering a deeper understanding of legal principles.

Legal Citation and Referencing

Citing sources correctly is a fundamental aspect of legal writing. Familiarizing oneself with the various legal citation styles is essential. This not only helps in avoiding plagiarism but also adds a layer of professionalism to your work. A well-cited essay demonstrates thorough research and respect for the original authors. In my writing, I always ensure that citations are accurate and appropriately formatted, as this reflects the credibility and reliability of the essay.

Law School Essay Writing Skills

Developing specific writing skills for law school is a process that evolves. A key skill is the ability to balance persuasive writing with factual accuracy. In my career, I’ve strived to master this balance, as it’s crucial for crafting compelling yet credible essays and law coursework . 

Another important aspect is the ability to present complex legal theories clearly and understandably. This not only makes your essay more accessible but also demonstrates your grasp of the subject matter.

Best Practices in Legal Essay Composition

Certain practices in legal essay writing always lead to better results. Clarity and conciseness are the hallmarks of good legal writing. Legal arguments should be logical and well-supported with evidence. 

An effective legal essay demonstrates your understanding of the law and your ability to communicate that understanding clearly.

Editing and Proofreading

I cannot stress enough the importance of editing and proofreading. A well-edited essay is not just easier to read; it also conveys your arguments more effectively. I always allocate ample time for this process, ensuring that my essays are free from errors and flow logically from one point to the next.

The process of legal writing is a procedure that requires dedication, practice, and a willingness to learn. The tips and techniques shared in this article are based on my extensive experience and are designed to guide law students through the intricacies of legal writing. Excellence is about understanding and appreciating the art of conveying legal ideas effectively. If you need help with the excellence of your Leag writing, the writers at Writing Metier are here to help you with any task connected to Legal Writing. 

Free topic suggestions

Laura Orta is an avid author on Writing Metier's blog. Before embarking on her writing career, she practiced media law in one of the local media. Aside from writing, she works as a private tutor to help students with their academic needs. Laura and her husband share their home near the ocean in northern Portugal with two extraordinary boys and a lifetime collection of books.

Similar posts

Good law coursework topic suggestions with short description.

The list of good law coursework topic suggestions, each accompanied by a brief description. Covering various legal fields such as criminal, corporate, constitutional, and international law, these topics are designed to inspire and guide students in selecting compelling subjects for their legal studies.

How to Write a Law Coursework

From selecting the right format for writing research and providing accurate citations, we equip you with the skills needed for success in writing Law Coursework.

We rely on cookies to give you the best experince on our website. By browsing, you agree to it. Read more

• Directories

Writing in Law

Like writing in other disciplines, all academic writing in Law courses should be clearly structured, persuasive, and take a position. Despite these similarities, legal writing emphasises accessibility and precision when communicating ideas and interpretation of a case or topic. This is largely due to its practical application in the legal profession.  

Being able to write persuasively and concisely are fundamental skills required of legal practitioners, so developing these communication skills at an early stage is crucial. Even if you do not go into a legal career, these written skills will be useful in other professional areas of employment, such as the public service.

Legal academic writing has its own conventions and standards that will be explored in the following topics. You will find useful strategies you can use to help refine, structure and present your position in some of the most common forms of law assessment

Using HIRAC

Most legal reasoning follows a particular convention: HIRAC. HIRAC provides a statement of the issue or concern (Issue); an explanation of the legal rules that are applicable to the issue (Rule); an application of the rule to a client's facts (Application); and a conclusion that summarises the explanation and application provided (Conclusion). HIRAC is useful as a way of organising and structuring a response to a problem question.

Typically, HIRAC is used to test your ability to analyse facts in a legal case and to apply the law to the facts to see what the possible outcome might be. They also test your ability to identify relevant legal issue(s) and to evaluate competing legal precedents. Whatever the legal problem is, a clear argument or position is required to be taken. This argument should use primary sources (legislation and cases) to persuade its audience and successfully address counterarguments relevant to each legal issue. 

How to structure a HIRAC response?

What follows is a general guide for using HIRAC. HIRAC is generally understood to be a flexible framework which can be used in multiple contexts. As you practice using HIRAC during your degree, it is important to develop a fluid framework that suits you.

It should be noted that HIRAC should not be used too rigidly, but it does provide a useful way to structure a response to a legal question. When you write an assessment using HIRAC, remember that some lecturers will prefer you to follow the method carefully while others won't be as rigid. You will need to clarify your expectations with them.  

Identify the legal issue and summarise it in your heading. This is usually phrased as a short question that encompasses the legal issue.  

Identify the issues that are central to the case. This can be done briefly. Ask yourself what legal question(s) the facts raise. When writing down the issue(s) you should think about questions a judge might be asked to answer. Be aware there might several issues raised. If more than one issue needs to be analysed, the following sections might need to be repeated several times. For example, HIRAC 1, HIRAC 2, HIRAC3, etc, then an overall conclusion.

Identify the law or legal principle relevant to the issue. This should consist of a brief statement of the legal principles to be applied as a way of signposting your analysis in the next section. A citation for each rule should be included. This is done by referring to a primary source of law (legislation or a case). The rule will generally need to be broken down into its component parts and stated accurately to avoid misinterpretation.

Application

Apply the law to the facts. This is the main part of your answer. This is where you match each element of the legal rule(s) you have identified in the previous section with fact. You need to consider arguments on both sides. Are the facts of your case similar to a previous case or can they be distinguished? You need to make an argument here and support that argument by reference to the law. If the law is unclear on a particular set of facts, you are expected to engage in a detailed hypothetical discussion about how the courts are likely to respond to this ambiguous area of the law. Unlike a traditional essay, your main points or conclusions should be stated at the end of each paragraph of your application.

Based on your analysis in the previous section, state a conclusion as to the most likely outcome. This is where you summarise the points of your argument and suggest an answer to the question presented as the heading. You should make a clear statement about what you think is the strongest outcome is likely to be.

Sample HIRACs

Here is a sample of a HIRAC response, focusing on one issue. Note how it addresses the issue concisely. It provides the relevant rule, with references,  and applies that rule to the scenario in question. The conclusion is a concise final sentence. 

Mitomi v Trinity Beach Life-Saving Club Inc.

Duty of care.

Mitomi must establish the Club's personal liability by proving that it owed a duty of care. The defendant will owe a duty when their actions or omissions lead to a reasonably foreseeable risk of inury to a foreseeable plaintiff or class of plaintiffs. [1] Reasonable foreseeability is that which is 'not far-fetched or fanciful'. [2] The vulnerability [3] and special characteristics of the plaintiff [4] are also relevant to duty.

In taking responsibility for the safety of the beach it is reasonably foreseeable that the Club's omission to provide a universally recognisable warning sign led to a risk of injury to a class of plaintiffs of which Mitomi is one. It is foreseeable that a tourist not understanding the sign would swim in the enclosure. Mitomi is a foreseeable plaintiff as tourists frequently visit the area. Mitomi's vulnerability is increased because she cannot read English, the club owes a duty to all foreseeable plaintiffs not just English speaking plaintiffs. Therefore, a duty of care is likely to be found.

[1] Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] AC 562.

[2] Wyong Shire Council v Shirt (1980) 146 CLR 40 at 47 per Mason J.

[3] Sullivan v Moody; Thompson v Connon [2001] HCA 59.

[4] Haley v London Electricity Board [1965] AC 778.

Here is another sample HIRAC addressing the same scenario. Again, note how it concisely and clearly analyses one issue, follows the steps of heading, rule, issue, application and conclusion. 

Mitomi v Trinity Beach Life-Saving Club Inc. ("the Club") 

[1] [1932] AC 562 at 580.

[2] (1993) 177 CLR 423.

[3] Nos CA 40737/93 and CL 1275/91. 

Essay writing in Law

The purpose of a legal essay is to advance or persuade your reader of a particular understanding, interpretation, or application of law. In order to do this, legal essay writing needs to be simple, compelling, and well-constructed. Unlike a paper that utilises HIRAC, a law essay involves detailed analysis and discussion of the law in a more abstract setting. When writing a legal essay, you are required to take up a position in response to a question. But how is this different from essays you write in other disciplines? The following information provides some suggestions about the specifics of writing a legal essay.

What distinguishes a law essay from an essay written in another discipline?

Like essays written in other disciplines, legal essays require a central argument, based on logical reasoning and critical analysis of evidence. They should have a clear structure with a strong introduction and conclusion. As Baron and Corbin (2016, p. 26) note, even though legal writing is perceived to be portrayed as logical, highly structured and formal, composition of law essays is much as the same as any other essay writing.

"The manipulation and use of language are at the heart of the common law legal tradition" (Webley 2013, p. ix).

There several features that, in one way or another, distinguish legal essays from essays written in other disciplines. Probably the most crucial difference is the use and control of language. Law essays should be written clearly, concisely and with precision. For example, a lot of emphasis is placed on the use of simple English. This is because much of the subject matter is complex and needs to be communicated clearly to a specific audience. Words should be chosen carefully and the use of clichés should be avoided. The following table summarises some of the other similarities and differences:

The best way to become familiar with the expectations of a good legal research essay is to read some articles in legal journals, taking note of style, tone and citation.

Is your essay writing clear and concise?

Clarity has been described as the most basic and paramount goal of legal writing (Baron & Corbin 2016, p. 70). Not only must your reader be able to understand the contents of your essay, they must be able to easily identify your position and follow your logic. In other words, you need to ensure that your writing makes its point efficiently and with an appropriate level of detail so as not to waste the time of your reader.

When it comes to the editing stage of your writing process, you should ask yourself the following questions:

• What information does the reader need?
• Is the work organised clearly so that the reader can find the information they need easily, and understand the points made?
• Is the language used clear and appropriate for the audience?

Like an essay written in the humanities or social sciences, it's important to make sure you take a clear position and have a clear thesis statement and signposting in the introduction (macro level). It is also important to make sure that your headings and topic sentences accurately reflects the sequence of the ideas presented in your signposting (micro level). Have you used clear and descriptive headings and subheadings? Are paragraphs and sentences connected smoothly? Do paragraphs build on each other or introduce new topics? Do your topic and concluding sentences reflect such transition?

For more information about essay argument and structure, see our page on essay writing .

Baron and Corbin (ref) recommend the following tips for achieving clarity:

• Use ordinary words and simple sentence structures. Avoid legalese (the use of Latin words; overcomplicated sentences; legal jargon) and keep sentences to no more than 22 words, although this should not be adhered to rigidly.
• Vary sentence structures, vocabulary and sentence length. This creates a more natural flow that helps maintain the reader's interest. Vary sentence length to create a rhythm and interest in your writing.
• Develop your own voice. The aim of good legal writing is to develop an authentic professional voice, one that has character and individuality. This is something that helps to engage the reader. Achieve this by using an active voice.
• Pay attention to tone. Tone, according to Baron and Corbin (p. 74), is the expression of the writer's attitude towards the subject, audience, and self. In legal writing, the tone should be clear, concise, confident and courteous. While legal writing must be sophisticated, it should not be pretentious, and while courteous, should not be overly familiar or informal.
• Presentation matters. Good presentation of your written work can make reading easier and more engaging for your reader. Things to consider include text alignment, use of headings, spacing, and fonts. Information regarding formatting can be found in the AGLC. Make sure you proof read your work, paying attention to matters of style, presentation, and citation.

Making summaries

Summaries are an important tool when studying law because they enable an efficient and effective way of preparing for assessment items and exams. They can be used to help you identify what you know and what you don't know. Creating clear and well-structured summaries saves time and helps you produce neat, tight arguments backed up by relevant cases in your answers. Your examiners will appreciate this.

It is essential for you to put in the effort to produce your own summaries. Don't rely on the summaries prepared by others. These summaries may be useful to you, but will normally only be a useful supplement to your own studies. You have to spend time reflecting and pulling apart what you have been taught and building it up into a framework that you can use to complete your assessments.

Different summaries will work for different people. Find what works best for you!

There is no one way to write a summary. When you are summarising, you are collating information from lecture notes, tutorial notes, cases you have read and the textbook reading you have done. In some courses, you will be provided with reading lists. You can use these lists as a way of organise or planning your summaries. Reading lists are typically based on topics you will cover in lectures and cases relevant to these topics.

You should aim to write you summary twice. The first summary should be like the rough draft of an essay. At this stage you are gathering ideas, listing key concepts and principles, using headings to structure your notes, and potentially useful flowcharts. You should aim to do this at least 6 weeks or so before the exam. This will ensure that you:

• Give yourself plenty of time to revise;
• Know that, if there is an emergency, you will have something prepared;
• Force yourself to consider ideas more than once and refine what you have;
• Begin working on the overall conceptual framework of the subject.

Make sure you practice using your summary before the exam. One of the other good ways of preparing for an exam is to do past exams. You don't need to wait until you have completely finished your summary before trying some practice questions. As you work through the exam questions you may be able to add to your summary.

For information about preparing for exams, see our page on exam preparation .

What makes a good summary?

• A good summary is typed and clearly formatted. Organisation is key. You need to be able to glance at each page in order to find what you are looking for. If each page is well set out you can read to the point instead of around it.
• They use bullet points and avoid using full sentences. This makes finding information in an exam easier. Write in a way that makes sense to you.  
• They contain information to help you locate the original source. Provide full references, including case names and page numbers, where necessary. The additional effort required is well worthwhile since it can be used later.
• They make good use of the abbreviations and key phrases. Abbreviations are excellent shorthand because they save a great deal of time and writing space. Develop your own system and use them consistently when making notes.
• They use visual aids, colour, and highlighting effectively. Flow charts, diagrams and other visual aids, such as tables, can help you understand a concept or case. A summary which makes good use of colour is easier to read and use. Decide what is right for you and use it consistently.

Preparing case notes

A case note is similar to a summary in that both require you to summarise information that will be useful when it comes to completing an assessment or preparing for an exam. The differences between a case note and a summary is the breadth of subject matter covered and the fact that a case note requires taking a position and evaluating the value of a particular case. In terms of breadth, a case note should focus on a single case, while a summary address a wider area of the law, focusing on a collection of issues, cases, and legislation. A case note can be included as part of a summary.  

Case notes are a common method of assessment in law subjects because they are typically short and useful when constructing legal arguments. The purpose of legal case notes is to summarise and synthesise "the pertinent parts" of a legal judgment, including the facts, issue(s), and reasoning that went into court's decision making process (Corbett-Jarvis & Grigg 2017, p. 148). What they require you to do is thoroughly familiarise yourself with a notable court decision or statute and its legal context. This generally means examining the relationship between the decision and the existing case and/or statutory law, discussing important issues, cases, and legislation within that area.

Case notes tend to focus on important changes or interpretations of the law in certain cases. This is what makes them notable in some sense. When writing a case note, you should ask yourself what makes this case significant in the context of your course:

• Does it represent a significant departure from precedent?
• Does it represent a significant area of concern?
• Does it represent a first of its kind?
• Does it represent an abandonment of logical reasoning?
• Does it represent a precedent with long lasting effects?

A case note requires you to take a position (make an argument) and critically analyse the significance of the case in question. As Baron and Corbin (2016, p. 91) write, "[b]y articulating and arranging the information contained in cases... the writer can influence or persuade others to think in a more detailed way about the legal reasoning process". 

How can I structure my case notes?

When writing a case note, the emphasis should be on being as clear and concise as possible. There is no definitive structure for a case note, but the following provides a flexible guideline of the common features. As a general rule, HIRAC should be used to compile and organise case notes.

Introduction

You should begin by briefly introducing the area of law, the legal issue(s), and what was decided. Indicate your line of argument: was this a significant decision? Does the decision create legal precedent, or uphold legal precedent? Explain the significance of the case, which should also indicate the organisation (or signposting) of the case note.

Identify the important, relevant facts of the case and, if appropriate, its background. This section will generally be more descriptive rather than analytical since you are just identifying the parties to the case (e.g. buyer, seller, employer, employee), procedurally significant facts, and the arguments that were put forward on behalf of both parties. Significant conflicting evidence should also be briefly noted. Keep it as short as possible.

In this section, you should provide the reader with an outline of the court's holding (i.e. the court's decision) on each relevant issue, as well as the court's reasoning. What is the legal rule essential to the decision in this case? Were comments made by the judge that are not directly related to the decision in this case, but may be important to issues raised in other cases? Reasoning is the way in which the court applied the rules/legal principles to the particular facts in the case to reach its decision. Indicate whether there was dissenting judgement and what reasons were provided for dissent. In closing this section, relate the selected case to the prior law to illustrate how, if at all, the selected case affects prior law.

This is the most significant section of your case note: this is where you demonstrate your critical analysis and evaluation of the case in your own words. In other words, this is you provide your argument. Start by stating the existing and the major developments both supporting and opposing the decision of the court. Then critically analyse the court's reasoning and decision. The analysis should be presented logically and be signposted accordingly. If appropriate, attempt to predict the impact the case will have on future decisions. Address any ambiguous statements made by the court, and questions the court left unanswered. This section affords you the opportunity to demonstrate legal skill and prowess by dissecting the case and raising important issues involved.

These are useful questions to use when it comes to writing your analysis:

• Was the court's decision appropriate and persuasive? Was the court's decision influenced by policy issue or particular values?
• Does this decision change/conform with existing law? Was the reasoning consistent with previous reasoning in similar cases? Is it likely that the decision will significantly influence existing law?
• Did the court adequately justify its reasoning? Was its interpretation of the law appropriate? Was the reasoning logical/consistent? Did the court consider all/omit some issues and arguments? And, if there was omission, does this weaken the merit of the decision?
• What are the policy implications of the decision? Are there alternative approaches which could lead to more appropriate public policy in this area?

Your conclusion should summarise the main points of your analysis and reiterate the significance of the case. If your finding is that the decision creates legal precedent, or conversely, upholds legal precedent, what does that mean? What are the wider implications of this case? The length of the conclusion depends on the argument being made. If you reach the legal conclusion in a previous section, a brief summary is sufficient.

Reference List

Baron, Paula, and Lillian Corbin. Legal Writing: Academic and Professional Communication . South Melbourne, Vic: Oxford University Press, 2016.

Campbell, Enid, Richard Fox, Melissa de Zwart. Students' Guide to Legal Writing, Law Exams and Self Assessment , 3 rd Ed. Annandale, NSW: Federation Press, 2010.

Corbett-Jarvis, Nichola, and Brendan Grigg. Effective Legal Writing: A Practical Guide , 2 nd Ed. Chatswood, NSW: LexisNexis Butterworths, 2016.

Macken, Claire. Law student survival guide: 9 steps to law study success, 2 nd Ed. Rozelle, NSW: Thomson Reuters (Professional) Australia Limited, 2010.

Webley, Lisa. Legal Writing , 3 rd Ed. London; New York: Routledge, 2013.

Other assessments

Annotated bibliography

Creative writing

Critical review

Policy brief

Writing in Psychology

Related links

• ANU Law Student Society
• ANU Library Academic Skills
• +61 2 6125 2972

How To Write Law Essay?

23 October, 2020

8 minutes read

Author:  Elizabeth Brown

If you are a law student, you have probably already faced the question of how to write an essay on this discipline. This is not an easy task because the requirements for a law essay often differ. In addition, you need to state your position and back it up with arguments clearly for others to understand. And to help you facilitate this process, we offer some preparation tips and tricks so that you could craft a decent work.

First things first, let’s discuss the legal essay scheme. It is rightly similar to the social science essay scheme. In both papers, it is necessary to explain a position on a particular issue or comment on a statement. For university law essay, especially in cases of specialties, it’s more complicated. There are several legal essay types :

• essay on quote explanation . Like in a school essay, the task here is to reveal the meaning of the expression and give a reasoned agreement or disagreement with it.
• essay on legal theory. The essence of this task is to describe one of the theories of law or any jurisprudence. This can be anything – for example, the theory that touches the Fifth Amendment.
• jurisprudence essay. In this assignment, you should review a specific case study or analyze the given document. Here, it’s important to adhere to special structure: first read the case, comprehend it, and only then give a critical account of this or that piece.

Law Essay Outline

The outline is one of the essential parts of law essay writing. At the point of creating it, you should jot down the structure of the main argument for each and every statement you deem appropriate for a text. This way, it’ll be much easier for you to organize the legal paper and facilitate its readability . 

For example, if you need to comment on the quotation, it’s better to start an essay with brief information about the author. Then, consider the meaning of the citation in the context of his time and compare it to current conditions, as well as note whether you agree with the statement or not. Remember – the main task is to have a solid opinion in which you’re 100% confident. If not, switch the quote.

In the essay on legal theory, state the history of the issue, highlight the advantages and disadvantages of the case you are analyzing. Try to draw a parallel with the present, to indicate how relevant it is now for contemporary law students.

While reviewing a specific legal case or document, you should not be distracted by elements irrelevant or unrelated to the subject and give descriptions of similar situations. Consistently assess the actions of subjects or conduct an in-depth analysis of the provided regulation.

Write all of the crucial points in a short plan and shorten the above information into a couple of sentences. Afterward, you’ll be ready to use the crafted outline and write a law essay according to its key points . 

Law Essay Structure

1. Introduction

Like any other type of writing, law essays start with introduction. A successful lead in is the one that captures attention instantly and forces readers to become interested in the law topic. In the beginning, you’ll need to clearly and precisely formulate a thesis statement of the entire piece, which you will then reveal in the following text. A great way to elaborate mediocre introduction with engaging filling is to state a concrete problem, controversy or issue that needs to be resolved.  

2. Main part

This is the main element of the whole legal essay. It should contain an analysis of the quotation, legal theory, specific case, or document. Plus, your opinions about this or that aspect should be argued: for example, by references to other papers or practices. Another beneficial way to develop the main body of your essay is to use specific examples from law classes, including activities and important discussions , if applicable. Also, don’t forget that your law essay should always follow the thesis and develop it throughout the legal paper. This is a critical point to consider, as any departure from the established scheme will distort your work’s content.

3. Conclusion

Your finishing remarks should formulate the outcome of what was written above. A reasonable conclusion should be brief and powerful , as well as connected to the introduction. Besides, a good ending should contain a thesis of the whole law essay. However, don’t try to repeat your thesis word by word. Consider rephrasing it instead of mentioning the same statements so that the information is more easily digested for readers. Plus, you’ll need to provide a critical analysis of your work. For this, explain why your main argument backed up by primary and secondary sources is the highest point of conviction. Hence, your readers will see explicit reasoning and be more inclined to believe the truth you outlined in the paper. 

4. Bibliography

A bibliography is a mandatory part of the work, and also the last one. At the end of your essay, you should list the documents (laws and other regulations) and books that were used in preparation for the article. Works cited page will help you validate the credibility of work and show readers that all statements and opinions are proven with relevant evidence. However, it doesn’t mean that your bibliography ought to be inserted just after you’ve written the entire text. To have a better vision of what source to pick for citing, include the list of used materials before writing the final version of your law essay. Accordingly, you’ll see sources in their entirety and easily cite them whenever needed. 

The sayings of influential and famous people imbue any work with an air of authority . This is especially true for essays on law: professors appreciate it when students reinforce their considerations with the opinion of leaders and experts in their field.

Quotes for an essay on law are quite easy to find on the Internet or specialized digests.

If you choose to close the paper with a quote, it’ll be a great hook which will keep readers impressed by the essay long after they digest it. But feel free to add meaningful sayings also in the introduction or in the middle of a paper. Either way, quotes are a tool that helps make your reading highly impactful and appreciated.  

These were the top advice on how to create a distinct law paper. We hope our advice will help you prepare an interesting and informative essay for college or university studies that’ll be graded with the highest mark. Once you manage to operate on the subtle art of legal essay writing, you’ll adjust to the complexities of its realization without difficulties. If you’re in doubt questioning your writing abilities, use custom essay writer service – we will create the best law essay tailored specifically for you.

A life lesson in Romeo and Juliet taught by death

Due to human nature, we draw conclusions only when life gives us a lesson since the experience of others is not so effective and powerful. Therefore, when analyzing and sorting out common problems we face, we may trace a parallel with well-known book characters or real historical figures. Moreover, we often compare our situations with […]

Ethical Research Paper Topics

Writing a research paper on ethics is not an easy task, especially if you do not possess excellent writing skills and do not like to contemplate controversial questions. But an ethics course is obligatory in all higher education institutions, and students have to look for a way out and be creative. When you find an […]

Art Research Paper Topics

Students obtaining degrees in fine art and art & design programs most commonly need to write a paper on art topics. However, this subject is becoming more popular in educational institutions for expanding students’ horizons. Thus, both groups of receivers of education: those who are into arts and those who only get acquainted with art […]

Tips on essay planning and writing

What is an essay, brainstorm your topic by creating a mind map, check you understand what your essay question is asking you, academic writing style, signposting, building an argument and summarising other people's ideas, what is paraphrasing, essay structure, useful links.

Traditional academic essays are pieces of writing which are designed to demonstrate the following points:

• that you understand a particular subject
• that you have undertaken some kind of research
• that you can produce a clear and coherent argument

This means that you have to combine important ideas, examples, and interpretations from other writers with your own. All of these have to be put together in a linear, written format (making one point, then moving on to the next), which persuades the reader that your line of argument is a convincing one.

Note : There may be variations in the approach you need to take depending on the discipline you are studying. Check with your tutor/department for discipline specific guidelines.

When you choose, or are assigned, an essay question, you are asked to focus on something very specific. It's not just a case of writing down everything you know about the subject. An essay question instructs you to do something with the knowledge you have, and to put it into a certain context, which will allow you to demonstrate the range of your critical thinking.

Essay questions therefore have  instructional verbs  to determine what your approach should be. These are words such as: discuss, analyse, argue, compare, review, evaluate, examine, outline, illustrate .... These tell you how to answer the question and what your essay should do. It is important that you understand exactly what these words mean so that you don’t misinterpret a question.  

• For more examples check 'Terms that may be used in essays or examinations'

You will usually be expected to write using academic language and specialist vocabulary from your subject area. Academic writing normally contains these features:

• Formal writing in an impersonal or objective style and often takes the 'passive' voice.  Passive constructions can be used to avoid using 'I' in essays, e.g. 'It can be argued...'
• Vocabulary appropriate for particular academic contexts is used which may include technical and specialist words. 
• Contains references to other writers’ publications which are used to support the arguments in the text
• You may notice that cautious language is frequently used in reporting research and making claims.  'Cautious language' indicates reservations or tentativeness about the conclusions that may be drawn from the evidence presented. Useful phrases are:  'it may be concluded', and  'we can assume'. 

Major Signposting

Major signposting is used to signal the introduction of key sections or aspects of the work. These might include the aim, purpose, or structure.

In the introduction:

• This essay will…
• The aim of this essay is to…
• The major issue being discussed is…
• This essay will define and describe…
• This essay will critically examine…
• This essay will first define…then discuss…before making recommendations for…
• This essay is organised in the following way;

In the conclusion:

• To conclude,
• In conclusion,
• To summarise,
• It is evident that

Minor Signposting

Minor signposting are linking words and phrases that make connections for your reader and move them through the text.

• They may be as simple as: First, second, third, next, then, last, lastly, finally
• To offer a counterpoint: However, although, though, yet, alternatively, nevertheless
• To indicate an example: For example, notably, for instance, in this case

Linking words and phrases help give your writing more fluidity. Linking words and phrases will help the flow of your academic writing.

Linking words are particularly useful for use in comparing and contrasting ideas and to move from one idea to another.

Check these resources for examples of linking words and phrases:

• Examples of linking words and phrases (University of Reading via Future Learn)
• Transitional devices (Purdue University)
• Signposting (Queen's University Belfast)

Source: Academic Writing Skills by Patricia Williamson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0

Illustrations vector created by stories - www.freepik.com

Often the clearest way to combine different points of view and to show that you have understood those points of view is to summarise them. Each summary of a different viewpoint can include direct and indirect quotations of key points, plus your understanding of what they mean and a comment on the weaknesses and strengths of the idea or viewpoint. Having described, interpreted and analysed other people's ideas, you can then go on to describe your own point of view and explain why you have chosen it.

Writing which ignores any of the parts described above, can become unbalanced. For example, if there are none of your own ideas, the piece becomes a review of everyone else's work. In these circumstances you could be accused of being uncritical. If the writing does not refer to other people's ideas (directly or indirectly), there is a problem of being too personal and non-academic (this partly depends on your subject). Neither of these would be persuasive arguments.

Paraphrasing is expressing someone else’s writing in your own choice of words, while keeping the same essential meaning. As Pears and Shields (2019, p. 15) explain, it is ‘an alternative way of referring to an author’s ideas or arguments without using direct quotations from their text’.

Paraphrasing is generally more highly valued by academics than direct quoting because it allows you to demonstrate a greater understanding of your source and helps you to maintain your personal writing style and the smooth flow of your essay.

Don’t forget to include in-text citations (author and date) in the text of your assignment and full references at the end of your assignment every time you paraphrase someone else’s words or ideas.

• Paraphrasing - an overview A guide on paraphrasing, academic writing, citing and referencing
• Introduction
• The main body
• Bibliography

The introduction is the official start of the essay and it usually includes some or all of the following:

• a statement introducing the topic
• an explanation of why it is important
• a brief mention of work on the same topic written by other writers
• a gap or problem in previous related work which will be solved or answered in this essay
• an outline of the structure of the essay
• definitions of key terms
• an anecdote or vignette (short story) which highlights the main point of the essay

The body is the largest part of your writing and this is where you guide your reader through your main ideas and arguments. These ideas and arguments come from your brainstorming and research. It is therefore a mixture of other people’s ideas and your own. These points should be organised into a logical order which allows your reader to follow your train of thought. 

The balance of discussion between your own ideas and information and those from external sources is crucial to the development of your argument. Without this balance, the writing can become either a summary of other people's ideas and theories, or a description of your personal ideas and experiences with no evidence of research. Both of these would lack analysis, a core component of a good essay. It is therefore vitally important to ensure that a mixture of positions are presented.

Each main point will be described, supported and analysed using examples from your own experiences, and information and theories from external sources (books, journals, websites, lectures, etc.). The main points should be clearly organised by using paragraphs. 

In short pieces of writing (< 3,000 words), there will be groups of paragraphs which together form one part of your argument. Usually these sections in "short" essays do not have specific headings. However, they can be clearly identified by using linking phrases which show for example:

• how many elements the section consists of:

There are four main reasons why ...

• the connection of additional points:

Another important point to consider is ...  A further issue of importance is ...  Moving on the the issue of ...

• or the introduction of a contrasting point:

On the other hand, ...  In contrast to the above, ...  An alternative understanding of the issue is ...

Longer pieces of writing and dissertations

In long pieces of writing (> 3,000 words) it is sometimes useful to identify clear sections by using sub-headings. Each section (or chapter of a dissertation or thesis) with a sub-heading is like a short essay which could stand alone. The sub-headings may come from your brainstorm and/or your research. However, the best order for the sections in long essays may only become clear after you have started writing them. When the best order becomes clear, chapter introductions and conclusions can be written in each section.

A short chapter introduction should briefly outline the contents of each section and where possible, should also refer back to the sections before and explain how they are related. Similarly, each section needs a conclusion. This should summarise what has been written in this part and should again make connections to other sections. In particular, it should describe the relationship between this part and the next. These are crucial in order to tell the reader what each part is about and how it fits with the other sections. It is like tying knots between separate pieces of string in order to make a single, stronger cord: your argument. 

The conclusion is the closing part of the essay and, like the  i ntroduction, connects the body of the essay to the title. However, whereas the introduction often starts generally, becomes more focussed and often includes an outline of the main points; the conclusion attempts to summarise the main ideas and arguments, then leads to a final statement.

It should not include new ideas which have not been mentioned before, although you can join ideas you have mentioned in a new way. You may also want to restate questions which you could not answer in your essay, but which you think deserve further study. As the final part of the essay, the conclusion is the last thing which the reader sees. Therefore, it should tie together the different points you have made.

Conclusions often include the following elements:

• language 'markers' showing that this is the conclusion (e.g. to conclude, in summary, this essay has given an account of...)
• a summary of the ideas in the main body
• a comment about the limitations of the scope of the essay / study
• a glance to the future: a prediction, recommendations for action, suggestions for further research, implications for future policy

A bibliography (or reference list) comes after the conclusion (or appendices and final figures) and includes all the information about the sources you have mentioned in the essay. For more information on referencing please see the Write it Right guide.

• Academic Writing Basics (Author: Megan Robertson)
• Academic Writing Essays in English (© 2021 UEfAP)
• Academic Writing Handbook
• OWL Purdue Online Writing Lab
• The Writing Process by English Language Studies group at the MIT Understanding and using the information on this site should make writing not only less anxiety-provoking and more efficient and effective for you, but ultimately it should also help you feel more creative and more satisfied with the products of your writing efforts and learn more in your classes as well.
• Last Updated: Apr 11, 2024 10:13 AM
• URL: https://lit.libguides.com/tips-writing-essays

The Library, Technological University of the Shannon: Midwest

• 66 Ogoja Road, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State 23480 NG.
• Sun - Fri 24Hours Saturday CLOSED
• support [@] writersking.com
• +23480-6075-5653 Hot Line

• Data Collection/Analysis
• Hire Proposal Writers
• Hire Essay Writers
• Hire Paper Writers
• Proofreading Services
• Thesis/Dissertation Writers
• Virtual Supervisor
• Turnitin Checker
• Book Chapter Writer
• Hire Business Writing Services
• Hire Blog Writers
• Writers King TV
• Proposal Sample
• Chapter 1-3 Sample
• Term Paper Sample
• Report Assignment Sample
• Course work Sample
• Payment Options
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Service/Use
• Business Guide
• Academic Writing Guide
• General Writing Guide
• Research News
• Writing Paper Samples

Writing legal Essay -Legal essay introduction and 5 tips for better legal writing

• October 6, 2022
• Posted by: IGBAJI U.C.
• Category: Academic Writing Guide

What is an Introduction?

An introduction can be regarded as the first section in an article, essay, book and other forms of writing which are aimed at stating the aims and objectives of the paper. Similarly, an introduction can be regarded as the first portion of a written piece which gives a brief description or summary of the points, theories or examination which will be carried out during the course of the write-up.

Content Outline

Why is an introduction important?

Introduction in all spheres of writing is important for a variety of reasons, some of which include;

• It serves as the reader(s) first impression of the written piece.
• It gives more credibility to the written piece.
• It prepares the readers for the body and conclusion of the written piece.
• It establishes and maintains the interest of the reader.
• It provides a summary of the main points which will be discussed in the essay.

What are the characteristics of a good introduction?

A good introduction ought to contain the following characteristics or attributes;

• A preview of the main and/or essential points in the written piece, all of which ought to revolve around the subject matter of the written piece.
• A good introduction ought to establish and maintain the interest of the reader(s).
• A good introduction ought to contain mind-blowing facts revolving around the subject matter.
• A good introduction ought to be well-structured, brief and very understandable.
• A good introduction ought to state the main focus of the written piece.

What is Legal Writing

Legal writing in a nutshell can be regarded as any piece of academic writing which makes in-depth or intricate provisions for legal issues, problems and solutions. Similarly, Legal writing can be regarded as a form of academic writing, mainly used by Lawyers, strictly for the purpose of presenting in-depth legal analysis regarding different subject matters and/or different topics.

Why is Legal Writing Important?

Legal writing plays an important role in both the education and the career of the Lawyer. This is so because, in both situations, the lawyer will be asked to communicate with the opposing counsel, the judges and clients by providing clear and well-articulated arguments.

This can only be done with the aid of proper legal research and legal writing. Alternatively, in order to come up with well-detailed arguments, the lawyer ought to consult and make use of different cases, different subject matters regarding non-law related cases as well as the court’s judgement in specific matters.

This simply implies that during the course of carrying out this particular form of writing, the Lawyer becomes overfed with a vast amount of information regarding different subject matters.

What is a Legal Essay?

Simply put, a legal essay can be regarded as a long piece of academic writing which dwells on and examines core legal issues or matters. Similarly, an essay can be regarded as a common form of assessment in the legal field which is used to examine the analytical power, knowledge of the language and the subject matter of the essay and research ability of the student.

In other words, in the legal field, essays are extensively used by lecturers to determine the ability of the student to conduct legal research, the ability of the student to analyze and deduce conclusions regarding a particular legal issue and the ability of the student to provide well-written and detailed sentences.

Writing a good introduction in a legal essay

In order to produce a well-written introduction in a legal essay, it is vital to take note of the following key steps:

Start off with a hook

Simply put, a hook in an essay can be regarded as an opening sentence(usually situated at the beginning of an essay or any other form of the written piece) written with the intention of grabbing the interest of the reader(s). A hook can be written in many forms, however, the basic types of hooks include;

Statistical Hook; This is simply a sentence based on the statistics, percentages or general numbers relating to a particular topic. For example; ‘ It is estimated that about 600 women, most of which were disguised as men, served during the American civil war’

Question Hook; A question hook can simply be regarded as a sentence which poses a rhetorical question to its readers. Similarly, a question hook can also ask the readers to visualize a particular scenario in their heads. For example; ‘ Have you ever wondered how much competition Nigeria would be in the international market under a booming economy and good governance?’

Quotation Hook; As its name implies, a hook is an opening sentence which consists of a quote or a word previously stated by another person relating to that particular issue. For example; ‘Abraham Lincoln defines democracy as ‘a government of the people, by the people, and for the people’.

Informal/Unreliable Hook; An informal or Unreliable hook is an opening statement which is purely based on personal stories and/or hypotheses without formidable and intellectual evidence to back it up. Similarly, the sentence can also be a figment of the writer’s imagination and not necessarily real.

For example; ‘ As a child, I always heavily abused both physically and mentally by my parents, the people who were meant to be my guardians and heroes in the world. As I grew older, it only seemed to get worst, I was always lacking in one area or another in their eyes, i was always guilty for something.

This had a heavy impact on my self-confidence, my self-esteem and my relationship with the people around me. Being a victim of parental abuse myself, I have come to the conclusion that people who are abused in their childhood years, always struggle with key areas in life and it could lead to worst cases like depression, anger, heavy addiction and even suicide’.

While curating introductory hooks in a legal essay, it is vital to note that the hook must be aligned with the nature of the essay and the subject matter. Similarly, statistical and quotation hooks are the most suitable for legal essays.

Define the key term(s):

After providing a hook, to attract the attention of the reader(s), the next step will be to trap and maintain the interest of the reader(s). The best way to do this is by providing a proper definition of the key term or subject in the essay.

This definition may either be brief and singular or it may be a variety of definitions based on the view of the writer and past scholars, it all depends on the nature of the legal essay being written and its word count. Similarly, while writing the hook, it is important for the writer to directly link it to the definition(s) which will be provided in the next phase of the introduction.

For instance; ‘ It is estimated that about 45% of the people in Nigeria are either neglected or abused from birth till their late teens. Similarly, it has been estimated that about 20% – still in that 45% – are females who are often abused all their lives. Abuse, in the regard and, in its simplest form, can be regarded as the cruel or violent treatment of a person or an animal’

State a summarized version of the core points of the essay:

After providing defining the key term(s) in the essay, the next step will be to introduce the problem or issue to be discussed and the core points relating to that particular problem. Depending on the nature of the research, this process may be brief or lengthily summarized. Alternatively, it is vital to tell the reader(s) how these points will be played out or written in the essay. It is also important to consider that these steps need to be portrayed in the most formal way possible. Hence, the writer ought to make use of;

• Legal terms – this could be Latin phrases or extremely ancient words – , it should be minimal or appropriate for the introduction, not excessive.
• Properly structured sentences with adequate punctuation marks in the right areas.
• Properly cited words or phrases.

5 tips for better Legal writing.

Legal writing is an important aspect in the field of Law, one all Law students and Lawyers must surely face at one point in time or another. This means that everyone in the legal field ought to have firsthand knowledge of the basics of Legal writing. Thus the aim of this article is to provide five basic tips which can be used to enhance or improve the Legal writing techniques of Lawyers and Law students. These tips include:

Quote Sources Appropriately:

In all disciplines, referencing is required to add credibility to the research and the piece being written. These ‘references’ could be past materials relating to the subject matter or topic of the given assessment.

In the legal field, students are required to make use of statutory provisions and case laws alongside other scholarly works relating to the topic. It is important to note that, regardless of how needed citations and sources can be, it can also get to a point where it may become too much, thus making the piece more complex and ambiguous than it ought to be.

Hence, during the legal writing process, legal writers are advised to make use of scholarly sources moderately. This can be done by placing two to three sources in a paragraph and about five to fifteen in a section, depending on how large or small they may be.

Use proper and plain English:

In the legal field, students and lawyers are often encouraged to make use of ambiguous words when constructing a legal piece. However, in a situation whereby the bulk of the words used in the legal piece is ambiguous and complex, the written piece will be unreadable to both the layman and an expert in the field. In this regard, legal writers are advised to:

• Make moderate use of ambiguous words.
• Construct sentences properly by placing punctuation marks in the right places and spelling words correctly.
• Using plain or simple words to describe the basic terminologies or theories revolving around the subject matter of the research.

Make great use of Legalese:

Legalese or ‘the legal language can be regarded as the technical language used in the legal field. It includes formal, archaic and often Latin words used to describe particular terms or processes in the legal field.

Examples of legalese could include Quid Facit Per Alium, Facit Per Se(He who does an act through another does the act himself), Consensus ad idem(Meeting of Minds), Consideration, Offer and so on. In the legal field, legalese is almost as important as case laws and statutory provisions which give massive credibility to the work.

Hence when legal writers are given assessments by experts or other professionals in the field, they are advised to make gracious use of the language. However, in a situation whereby the legal writer is constructing a piece for a layman, he/she is advised to make more use of plain English than the alternative.

Conduct proper legal research:

Legal research is simply regarded as the process of sorting and identifying information or sources, in the bid to provide solutions for legal problems and evidence for the legal hypotheses. Legal research is an important aspect of law and legal writing as a whole.

This is so because the writer has to first of all understand and identify the key points in the research before settling down to organize these points in a formal manner. Hence, it is vital for legal writers to conduct in-depth legal research before and during the legal writing process.

Re-write and proofread

The legal profession demands perfection in all things(even though it may be unachievable at some point). Hence, during the legal writing process, it is important to re-write after producing the first draft at least once.

This is so because when carrying out this process, the writer will be able to identify the areas that are lacking, come up with new theories and conclusions relating to the subject matter and identify the grammatical errors or problems in the sentence.

Alternatively, proofreading, as the last step in legal writing is also an important piece of the puzzle. It aids in the identification of errors and the restructuring of poorly written sentences. Hence, after the entire writing process, legal writers are encouraged to proofread thoroughly before sending out the written piece for examination.

Similarly and for more efficient results, legal writers are advised to seek help from friends or the internet when proofreading. In the case of friends, they can serve as a fresh pair of eyes, thus making it easier to identify errors which the writer may have missed.

In the case of the internet, there are proofreading tools, either paid or otherwise which can be used during the proofreading process. It is often faster and it produces more effective results compared to the ones done by humans.

Drop your comment, question or suggestion for the post improvement Cancel reply

Find Us Today

Writers King LTD,  Akachukwu Plaza, 

66 Ogoja Road Abakaliki,  Ebonyi State, 

480101 Nigeria

Phone: 0806-075-5653

• Website: https://writersking.com/
• Email: support {@} writersking.com
• +2348060755653

Quick Links

Writing guide.

NoobsLab | Ubuntu/Linux News, Reviews, Tutorials, Apps

Tips for writing legal essays.

While it may seem trivial, writing legal essays is more difficult than writing simple papers. As with any type of writing, there are three parts to your essay: the introduction, body, and conclusion. Law essays are unique because they do not contain just information and facts. Instead, they should be a mixture of these facts with your viewpoint.

These are some tips that will help you write better legal essays. Getting rid of extra load you can buy law essay from writing experts.

Choose something that interests you so you can passionately present your work. Writing a great legal essay is all about being prepared. It is important to do your research thoroughly and have a good understanding of the topic. Real-world cases will prove your knowledge of the topic.

Use Relevant Previous Cases

Writing a legal essay is not easy without reference to previous cases. You must choose the source. To find the right stories, you can look at magazines and newspapers. You can also find research papers and academic textbooks that contain relevant studies and discussions. To make your argument more complete, you can use both research papers and academic textbooks.

Refer to the Relevant Laws

In legal essays, it is not uncommon to refer back to previous cases. It is also a good idea to refer to relevant laws in your argument. No one can challenge an argument that is supported by law.

Follow Standard Writing Techniques

There are several techniques and practices you can use to make writing an essay easier. These are some of the best practices you can use to make your essay easier.

An outline can help you organize your thoughts and save time.

It is important to introduce the topic in a captivating way: engaging your audience right from the beginning is key.

Expand on arguments: Support your opinion with relevant details and examples, laws and cases you can expand on counter-arguments. Balance your argument and be objective present a conclusion: Help the reader understand your argument by summarizing it while using legit essay writing services you will have less questions on how to use these techniques correctly.

Do thorough analyses

You need to provide evidence in order to support your argument. The evidence you require isn't always available in a structured and neat manner. Your analytical skills are crucial here. Take the time to look at small details and connect all parts of your work. Remember that you cannot prove your point without evidence. Don't rush through the analysis and take your time.

Give a clear argument

After you have chosen the topic and title for your essay, it's time to present your argument. Legal essays must start with your thesis statement, which is your main opinion.

Be authentic in your argument and share your opinion. Avoid using clichés. You must be able convince others that you are correct as a potential lawyer. Writing essays is a wonderful practice.

You should also dedicate as many paragraphs as you need to your argument. Many students fall for the trap of the three paragraph argument. However, legal essays require more detail to reach a conclusion. An essay can easily be three to four pages long.

Your essay's conclusion should not contain any new ideas. The purpose of this section is to refute your argument, but it also serves to address your points in light the evidence.

Revise and proofread

After you are done with your work, you can let it rest for a few days before you return to it. You can go back and edit any spelling or grammar mistakes. Check for any confusing or unclear sentences. It's a good idea for a friend to read through your essay before you submit it. It is always helpful to have another pair of eyes.

Bottom line

Even though legal essays can be argumentative, each one is unique. To write a great essay, you must not only follow the best essay writing practices, but also analyze relevant cases and examine any evidence. You can then present a persuasive argument and score high.

Students studying law may feel overwhelmed by the complexity of writing an essay. Students might wonder if it is possible to have someone else write an essay for them.

Both of these questions are answered positively. You can get high-quality essays by contacting professional essay writing services.