How to Use This Book

The information in this text is presented in two parts.

The first part introduces you to the legal writing concepts you will master during your first-year writing course, and it operates like a traditional textbook through providing written information on topics and processes. At times, the first part will refer to a battery hypothetical or to the Appendices.

The second part is formatted as a series of Appendices that begin with ten unmarked cases and then walk you through how to use those ten cases to: actively read and brief cases; synthesize a rule from those cases; write a Summary of Law; synthesize cases to answer a specific factual question; write a Memorandum; and draft persuasive parts of an Appellate Brief.

This text provides an overview of first-year legal writing topics and provides checkpoints during your writing process. On the other hand, this manual does not answer every question on every legal writing concept; it is certainly not a spell book that will make you instantly awesome at legal writing. Writing as a skill is a lifelong development process. Everyone can be an effective legal writer. Put in the time to study the concepts and then to practice using those concepts in your writing. Seek feedback on your writing and then implement the feedback you receive. Writing takes practice, and this manual can help guide you

The graphics included in this section provide overviews of where we are going and the connections we will draw in this class. They are intended to serve as a reference when you are struggling to see the connections, but they cannot substitute for reading the text, working through assigned practice exercises, and completing graded assignments.