Subjects:

Drafting and Legal Writing

Contents:

Preface

Introduction: How to use this book

1 Preparing and Writing Law Assignments

Writing law assessments on undergraduate courses

Some common complaints

Some basic points

Presentation of law assessments

Avoiding plagiarism

Providing authority

Reading over your answery

Answering the question

Summary of points on writing and presenting law assessments

2 Writing Legal Essays: Specific Legal Skills

Using legal materials

Using cases

Using statutory materials

Using law journals

Using websites

Legal referencing and citation

References and Latin words and phrases

Summary of points on legal skills

3 Good and Bad Essays

Introduction

Practice 1: Contract law essay

Practice 2: Legal system and constitutional law essay

Conclusion: Notes on good essay technique

4 Answering Problem Questions

Understanding problem questions

Tackling problem questions

Practice 1: contract problem

Practice 2: statutory interpretation/judicial review problem

Summary of problem-solving skills

5 Exam Questions

General exam skills

The revision process

The examination

Examples of exam answers

Practice 1: the contract problem

Practice 2: the constitutional law essay

Summary of examination skills

6 Answering Advanced Essays

Extended and advanced essays at undergraduate leve

lUndergraduate projects

Postgraduate assignments

Summary of advanced essay skills

Further Reading

Index

How to Write Better Law Essays helps you tackle legal assignments with confidence to maximise your chances of achieving high grades. This book is your step-by-step guide to planning, writing and succeeding in all forms of law assessment.

The features include: covers the main types of legal assessment - Essays - Problem questions - Exam questions - Extended essays and dissertations; gives practical examples of good and bad legal writing technique, highlighting good legal skills in action, and helping you to spot and avoid poor technique and, a dedicated Companion Website includes practice exercises for each chapter and a 'You be the Marker' activity to help you hone your skills further.