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First Assignment Spring 2017

Legal Writing, Research and Advocacy

LAW 504 Section 1

Claire C. Robinson May


Assignment details

First Class Assignment – Legal Writing & Research Spring Semester – Prof. May

Reading Assignment: Read What Are You Trying to Say? Part V (on TWEN).

Writing Assignment: Find an example of persuasive writing that is outside of the legal context. Your example may be an op-ed, an editorial, a blog post, an advertisement, etc. The only requirements in choosing your example are (1) your example must be primarily a written document (rather than a visual work); (2) it must be attempting to persuade the reader; (3) it must be substantial enough to allow you to analyze it in some detail (a tweet will not suffice!); and (4) it may not be a legal document, such as a motion, legal memorandum, or pleading.

Read your example and write up a short discussion and evaluation of the persuasive effectiveness of the example. Your write-up should be a maximum of two double-spaced pages in 12-point Times New Roman font, with 1-inch margins. Please attach a copy of your example to your assignment.

In evaluating the persuasive effectiveness of the example, please consider the following characteristics. You do not have to cover every item on the list below, but do cover several (3 or more) items that best relate to your example. Please conclude whether you found your example to be persuasive overall, based on your review. In your discussion, please specify the textual support for your evaluation in each area.

  • Whether the author provides strong authority in support and a logical argument;
  • Whether the author is able to overcome any weaknesses in his or her argument;
  • Whether the example has a compelling theme or theory that helps to persuade the reader:
  • Whether the example uses storytelling effectively;
  • Whether the structure and organization of the argument helps or hinders its persuasiveness;
  • Whether the writing style helps or hinders the persuasiveness of the piece, specifically whether it is easy to follow, difficult to read (and the reason why, such as long sentences, excessive quotations, or overuse of jargon,), “catchy,” etc.;
  • Whether the example reflects the author’s professionalism;
  • Any other characteristics of your example that you find add to or subtract from its persuasiveness.

The write-up and attached example are due as homework at the beginning of class on Thursday, January 12.

TEXTBOOKS

We will be using the same books this semester as in Fall. I will supplement these with additional readings as needed. In addition to the following textbooks, we will continue to use selections from my own legal writing text, What Are You Trying to Say? A Guide to First-Year Legal Writing. The spring materials from WAYTTS are available on the TWEN page for this course (on Westlaw).

  • Terrill Pollman, et al., Legal Writing: Examples & Explanations (2d Edition 2014)
  • Amy E. Sloan, Researching the Law: Finding What You Need When You Need It (2014)

*The above two books can be purchased as a bundle from the CSU bookstore at substantial savings from the individual prices for these books new.*

  • The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation (20th Edition)
  • Tracy L. McGaugh, et al., Interactive Citation Workbook for The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation (2016 Edition) -Please make sure to purchase the Bluebook version, not ALWD of the Interactive Citation Workbook.

You may also elect to purchase this additional, optional text:

  • Richard Wydick, Plain English for Lawyers (5th Edition 2005).