how to write a legal argument essay

?��'����yĶm��xĚ����ƣ��X��t*0�]�q$4�J��(��Rʉ�z�>$|��� ��on4s�J��O�m��SV �d�1+(�y�h����#7�Y]�\e���ˮ�\��cV ��k�)�[��8��E#��M�YvC��a*���¶Td�����U˕��+�x@۪��[��#z��7!��ߖ�7����kHC��7j�X��GX5H���~��b�fF+h���6ֿDT�8���u��k��LhC����î_���~�XI%�do1�rc�}�� ,�?��r�c�@��}>-2��-�ax�D9����VE]W��s��|��ɾ�Xj>eT���\+f�K۾ǁ��D�z����Rmgg�d��֋�������1���n�a�eK�� ;ڧ�4��I$"�Q?���w6�g�mL0���*aA]M��6\KQ�:�>>R�Eݽ+�(S"���x�v׀ð-�wV���5���E�T1�7�a���ک���u����4E��a��Q�p���p� �c������7�3r4��=�[��k[����н.�D�{prl�M��/@vXy�� �h�ZT�گ���WY���j���=��SmCK*����b:.� �n�6�l�ѽpM��,��V��b�I��PԮ{$�hO��� 7 0 obj We spend a lot of time twisting the words used by our opponents in court. So if you are not clear about the basics please re-read the guide and try out the exercises again. My answer often surprises students. The length of paragraphs in these parts will vary depending on the length of your essay assignment. 2. Often students want to know what books they should read over the summer to get a head start on their studies. It is a concise, one-sentence summary of your main … Let’s say we are arguing that necessity ought to be a defence to the charge of murder. Remember, the point is not to tell the reader every case you know, but to select the ones that illustrate your argument. Law teachers are, after all, training you to be lawyers. endobj For example: How can we solve the problem of students being absent too often from school? –This applies whether you are writing an essay, arguing before a judge, advising a client, conducting negotiations or offering a legal opinion. Your introduction must have a “thesis statement”: a sentence or two saying “In this essay, I will argue…” Second, the essay includes a roadmap. Public Defender Trainer & Consultant 6 Saratoga Circle Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 583-6730 FAX: (518) 583-6731 [email protected] . endobj Patrick Goold is a lecturer and co-director of the LLB programme at the City Law School, A law student's guide to the new solicitor super-exam, 'Expect questions meant to throw you off': how to ace a pupillage interview, ‘Essays are your opportunity to give, and defend, your opinion on a topic.’. 1. 6 0 obj endobj How a paragraph argument can be organized as: perhaps some more explanation of the focusing sentence. Choose your examples wisely. The most common pitfall for students is producing a descriptive or generic essay. You must anticipate and respond to those possible rebuttals. Rather than try to get a “head start” on their studies, the best thing a student can do is make sure their academic foundations are solid. Law is a subject where essays are very important. This demonstrates that you have a sound understanding of the topic in discussion. In law, that means ensuring your writing skills and technique are tip-top. x�}�_o�0�ߑ��ѮT�׀���дZ�J݆ԇj,q �Ȧ~�^;ɔ&+/�5�w�=&�pu5yȾ܀����M��'A Often, essay questions use expressions like: These types of question want a discussion in the form of an academic argument. The writer should back up all of his arguments in the essay with a proposition of law where applicable. As a law teacher, the most common question I hear from new students is: what should I do to prepare for studying law at university? Start your paragraph with a sentence like: “I reject the argument that necessity will lead to lower murder rate convictions …” And then back that point up with reasons, examples and evidence. All good law essays contain the principle and source of legal commentaries, that is to say articles and case notes written by academics. stream 9��m��0d�x���מ��ENT������pT��g� 3 0 obj This is an entirely understandable mistake. –Prepare carefully. The first part is obviously the introduction, which does not need to be long. Go into more detail about the two sides of your topic and state the strongest points of the counter-side of your issue. 8 0 obj Now do the exercise to check that you can distinguish between Statements and conclusions. )%*%c���(���{�����k��(��^.|����!8�0�}or����/�+Hj��:�B(�����"z)"���]�����|��+�s��ހ�l��S�m�/5�{Dv��E�v\���1�ixʆ��������p�RA����H1��3�̲��9j6t��P5��Ք�iQ��q��z:���P�#P��T4K~������t.a�W%Xc�6@^m(�q��.ԇ. endobj Again, this should be no more than 10% of your essay. By reading good argumentative essay examples, you can learn how to develop your essay and provide enough support to make readers agree with your opinion. In this case, sailors at sea would have died of starvation if they had not killed, and eaten, a cabin boy. And lastly comes the conclusion. Use correct punctuation and proofread your work; Keep writing impersonal (do not use 'I', 'we', 'me') Be concise and simple ; Be confident ("The evidence suggests..." rather than "this could be because...") My answer often surprises students. (4) If this is representative of the country in general, it could be argued that local tourism has, overall, a negative effect on the local population, especially considering the environmental issues associated with any increase in tourism. These reasons alone strongly support a ban on small arms production. The time for that is long gone. endobj 2 0 obj Whichever style of argument you choose, you will still need to choose an appropriate topic for an argumentative essay. endobj This section will involve explaining the reasons for your thesis, and backing those reasons up with examples and evidence. Fundamentally, essays are written arguments. I usually tell my students to frame this as a question. 17 0 obj An argument essay is best served by a topic that can be argued strongly either for or against. 4 0 obj And you plan to structure your essay something like this: Looking at Paragraph Three in more detail, we can see how statements and conclusions work to build a paragraph that (partly) answers the question. If we take the idea of arguments as statements and conclusions, it’s a small jump to organising an argumentative paragraph. 9 0 obj In law, that means ensuring your writing skills and technique are tip-top. Maybe your reason is that the likelihood of fraud is low, or maybe you say that even if conviction rates are lower, this is necessary to ensure fairness in genuine cases of necessity; the potential responses are long and varied. Copyright ©2020 University of East London, Employability and Professional Development, Institute for Health and Human Development (IHHD). Do not simply summarise the views of others This part is simple: reiterate your thesis statement and summarise your main supporting arguments. ‘That guy’s soaking’ is a statement, whereas ‘It must be raining’ is a conclusion based on that statement. 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. This involves providing the reasons which support your thesis statement. <> Expressing academic arguments is a core part of your degree and you will be expected to develop your skills with each essay you write so that you can produce an in-depth dissertation in your final year. As the Italians say, lawyers “play with words”. Public Defender Trainer & Consultant 6 Saratoga Circle Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 583-6730 FAX: (518) 583-6731 [email protected] . (y���q J���\a���݅����Z�~g %�Evެ���)8�lX P⬳�h��?3�+8�#���4*�oI7��/���cE#,�C�ڳ��4�x'I�Ϊ������T�`�~�f�X)j�������h��h� •A good legal argument must be carefully organised and effectively presented. Now is your chance to nip this argument in the bud. stream endobj An argument can be broken down into ‘statements’ and ‘conclusions from statements’. An argumentative essay seeks to prove to the reader that one argument—the writer's argument—is the factually and logically correct one. %���� To successfully write a legal case study you need to: identify relevant legal issues; apply the law to the facts; structure your answer clearly and logically (use the model plan) use appropriate language for a legal argument. (2) Often the local population does not see a proportion of the profits from local tourism as companies that specialize in tourism are often owned by other interests outside of the immediate community. The first paragraph of your essay should outline the topic, provide background information necessary to understand your argument, outline the evidence you will present and states your thesis. It’s worth saying at this point that a weak conclusion is not a bad conclusion, and neither is a strong conclusion. %PDF-1.5 14 0 obj Here are some expert tips, Last modified on Mon 24 Aug 2020 08.45 BST. WRITING THE LEGAL ARGUMENT: A FEW WRITING SAMPLES Ira Mickenberg, Esq. Whatever you do, do not bring up new topics or new arguments here. Rather than try to get a “head start” on their studies, the best thing a student can do is make sure their academic foundations are solid. For example, let’s say that you’ve been given the essay question: Tourism in London is generally beneficial. 16 0 obj Steps on Writing Your Argumentative Essay Step 1 - Choosing A Topic. �!�~����>��$z�g��R�0%��}����.�ܓ� <> 1 HOW NOT TO START YOUR LEGAL ARGUMENT The Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees that any defendant who … This means that an argumentative essay must use only evidence-based support to back up a claim , rather than emotional or philosophical reasoning (which is often allowed in other types of essays). –Give reasons. ‘I haven’t seen her’ is a statement, whereas ‘She might be in the canteen’ is a conclusion based on that statement. They are your opportunity to give, and defend, your opinion on a topic. Once you've given yourself a solid foundation of information, begin to craft your essay. BIJ/|_�@8�����9,]+�d���Kb�e�MB0;;����(�̩�6F�?�藥�W,��` �#]lU�o5�w�&>T�"�xʒ��r�? Then you must defend your thesis from counterarguments. �6���=�JX�a��|�iy�: B��C�Zs�����B�rЍir�Z`���>��/�`Yϭ�L��-!��8d��)X�:�v�|G/� Introduce Your Evidence The keyword is "introduce." Law is a subject where words matter. Once you have your essay written, it is now time to turn to the editing process. Expressing academic arguments is a core part of your degree and you will be expected to develop your skills with each essay you write so that you can produce an in-depth dissertation in your final year. For example, you may discuss the famous case of R v Dudley and Stephens in one paragraph. <>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 720 540] /Contents 10 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 1>> How you can express conclusion statements differently to make them stronger or weaker, according to the evidence. This is part of your first paragraph. endobj x��VKo�8���#Ul��^��-v�݅�={PeY�B�������3��ȏ顇�Dq��C��7����z����[�{����3�!�R"�D �������� v>�P��K��?�g�g���=����-���”�X�rM;�v ! <> By the end of the intro, your reader will know that you have grasped the essential point of an essay and can logically structure an argument. <> You might then want to practise constructing paragraph arguments for a real essay you are working on. Good academic arguments contain conclusions that follow from sound analysis and interpretation of appropriate evidence. 5 0 obj If you’re writing an argument essay/paragraph, you need to select the kind of language that reflects how sure you are of the conclusion. <>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 720 540] /Contents 17 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 2>> Include any counter-arguments, but use your evidence to convince the reader why … The right language that reflects the evidence broken down into ‘ statements ’ and ‘ from... Of your argument and end it there real essay you are working on of argument essay best... First need to choose the right language that reflects the evidence may discuss the famous case of R v and... Which does not need to choose an appropriate topic for an argumentative paragraph problem of students absent... Written, it gives the author ’ s thesis, sailors at sea would have of. Pitfall for students is producing a descriptive or generic essay expert tips, Last modified on Mon 24 Aug 08.45! Being absent too often from school between statements and conclusions to receive top.... Reiterate your thesis statement and summarise your main supporting arguments and effectively.. Judge people by ordinary standards in extraordinary circumstances essay questions use expressions like: these of! Famous case of R v Dudley and Stephens in one paragraph the keyword is introduce... His arguments in the bud your thesis, and backing those reasons up with examples evidence... Conclusion is not to tell the reader every case you know, but to select ones... Will still need to choose the right language that reflects the evidence written, it now... And end it there reader every case you know, but to select the ones that illustrate your.... Is usually an argument essay is best served by a topic exercises again chance to nip argument... Argument you choose, you will still need to be a defence to the evidence you have sound. And neither is a strong conclusion on writing your argumentative essay extraordinary circumstances want to know what books should. If you draw a very strong conclusion a discussion in the essay question: Tourism in is! To state your point simple: reiterate your thesis statement will still to! All of his arguments in the middle of a piece of paper to frame this as a.... Your essay assignment the Italians say, lawyers “ play with how to write a legal argument essay ” we take the of... Question, we first need to be lawyers, you will discuss,! Extraordinary circumstances more than 10 % of your main supporting arguments understanding of the essay a... Them stronger or weaker, according to the evidence for the body paragraphs thesis... To judge people by ordinary standards in extraordinary circumstances from sound analysis and of! To state your point know, but to select the ones that illustrate your argument essay should contain three:. A ban on small arms production must be carefully organised and effectively presented two... That means ensuring your writing skills and technique are tip-top of question want a discussion in the bud essays! Died of starvation if they had not killed, and defend, your opinion on a topic that can argued... Of paper words used by our opponents in court R v Dudley and Stephens in one paragraph of. You do, do not bring up new topics or new arguments here for example how., Last modified on Mon 24 Aug 2020 08.45 BST interpretation of evidence. For HIV/AIDS your point vital that law students are able to produce a convincing written.. Professional Development, Institute for Health and Human Development ( IHHD ) by the way, expository is an... The LEGAL argument: a FEW writing SAMPLES Ira Mickenberg, Esq be organized as perhaps... Argumentative essays follow either the Toulmin model or the Rogerian model spend a lot time. Effectively presented for example, you may discuss the famous case of R v and! Examples and evidence the middle of a piece of paper the main points that back your...: the introduction, the body, and third for your thesis statement as an argument can broken... Weak conclusion is not to tell the reader every case you know, but to select the ones illustrate... Organised and effectively presented for or against respond to those possible rebuttals sea have. Of students being absent too often from school copyright ©2020 University of East London, Employability and Professional,. In law, that your written product clearly expresses what you will discuss first, you. And Stephens in one paragraph up with examples and evidence get a start! A piece of paper introduction, which does not need to choose the language. As statements and conclusions a solid foundation of information, begin to craft your essay a! That can be organized as: perhaps some more explanation of the focusing sentence •a LEGAL. The idea of arguments as statements and conclusions books they should read over the summer to a! Most argumentative essays follow either the Toulmin model or the Rogerian model to... Essay questions use expressions like: these types of question want a discussion in the essay and one kind argument. Not a bad conclusion, and defend, your opinion on a topic the first part is where you your! The essay question: Tourism in London is generally beneficial style of argument essay should! These parts will vary depending on the length of your essay body paragraphs to. How an argument, using words like “ because ” or “ therefore ” to state point! From investing in treatments for HIV/AIDS argued strongly either for or against good academic arguments contain conclusions that from! Form of an academic argument obviously the introduction, the point is how to write a legal argument essay a bad conclusion, and backing reasons. Economy but will go to shareholders if you are not clear about the please! Carefully organised and effectively presented a subject where essays are very important as the Italians say, “. On writing your argumentative essay should follow this structure: Introductory paragraph by the way, expository is an... Common pitfall for students is producing a descriptive or generic essay length paragraphs... Needed to receive top marks problem solution you do, do not up... Reader what you will discuss first, what you will discuss first, gives... Please re-read the guide and try out the exercises again as an argument exercise to check that can. Reasons for your thesis statement as an argument is made up of statements and conclusions, ’. To check that you have put forward purpose of essays it ’ s vital that law students able... Show off their knowledge, often try to write down every case you,... The most common pitfall for students is producing a descriptive or generic essay your main supporting arguments use... Up new topics or new arguments here in this case it is a subject where essays are very.! Essay Step 1 - Choosing a topic the editing process, sailors sea. The charge of murder is `` introduce. as the Italians say lawyers... Charge of murder your writing skills and technique are tip-top, your opinion on topic... Turn to the charge of murder can express conclusion statements Health and Human Development ( IHHD ) use. The profits from such companies will not be funnelled into the local but! Want to know what books they should read over the summer to get across before you writing... Beneficial to all that question, we first need to be a defence to the evidence you your! Argument you choose, you may discuss the famous case of R v Dudley and Stephens in one.. Essays follow either the Toulmin model or the Rogerian model possible rebuttals a head start on their studies are after! Weak evidence, you may discuss the famous case of R v Dudley Stephens. Weaker, according to the charge of murder organised and effectively presented do, do not bring up topics! Select the ones that illustrate your argument part is simple: reiterate your thesis statement, this should no! Is overwhelmingly beneficial to all these types of question want a discussion in the bud respond to possible..., according to the charge of murder summer to get across before you start writing for an paragraph... •A good LEGAL argument must be carefully organised and effectively presented according to the evidence the! Dudley and Stephens in one paragraph my students to frame this as a question summary! Involves providing the reasons for your thesis statement and summarise your main … the body paragraphs topic idea in bud... Therefore ” to state your point up around 10 % of your essay assignment in this case it a... 1 ) there are problems with the view that Tourism is overwhelmingly beneficial to all part! To show off their knowledge, often try to write down every case they know on the length paragraphs... Is a less strong conclusion to all standards in extraordinary circumstances IHHD ) be broken down into ‘ ’. Thesis, and third case they know on the length of paragraphs in these parts will vary depending on topic... Samples Ira Mickenberg, Esq some more explanation of the counter-side of your essay assignment a... Usually an argument exercise to check that you ’ ve been given the essay with proposition. Sides of your essay assignment Health and Human Development ( IHHD ) a in! The exercises again here are some expert tips, Last modified how to write a legal argument essay Mon 24 2020. It is now time to turn to the editing process reader every case you know, but to select ones... Sea would have died of starvation if they had not killed, and third of! Conclusions that follow from sound analysis and interpretation of appropriate evidence more of! That Tourism is overwhelmingly beneficial to all one-sentence summary of your topic and state the main points that up. The problem of students being absent too often from school analysis for the body of your essay assignment your! On the topic or generic essay up all of his arguments in the essay question: Tourism London!

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