Writing for Practice

Catalog description

This course is designed to help second- and third-year students develop the kinds of writing, organization, critical thinking, editing and collaborative work skills essential to law practice and passing the bar. Students will work on multiple short (less than 5 pages) weekly assignments, engaging them in reading the law; conceptualizing, outlining, writing, editing, and revising legal documents; practicing writing concisely and clearly; researching and using samples, templates, and other practice-based resources; and working on related tasks. These assignments are designed to help students sharpen their ability to write any kind of legal document, using the appropriate format for the intended audience. The course will focus primarily on civil matters and will include some writing on criminal issues. The course's focus on essential skills, organization, analysis, doctrine, precision and conciseness, will transfer to writing in any legal setting.