5. Common Mistakes
• You are not writing a murder mystery
• Conclusion should not be at the very end
• What is your argument? What are you saying?
6. Common Mistakes
• Lack of authority
• Intelligent and well-reasoned essays can be
nice to read, but how does that connect back
to the law?
• What’s your source? Who is the authority you
are citing?
7. Best way to start
• Set the tone at the very beginning
8. Best way to start
• Give your argument some context
• Frame it for the reader/listener and for the
question
9. Best way to start
• Set out your argument
• Do some signposting
– Tell the reader/listener what is going to happen
over the next three minutes or paragraphs
10. How to approach legal research
• Ask lawyers for guidance on how to direct
your reading
11. How to approach legal research
• Split your reading into two parts:
– Required reading – what you are expected to
know. This is a given.
– Further reading – additional reading; things you
should explore further to enrich your
essay/argument
12. How to approach legal research
• Form a study group
• There is no reason to do things alone
• Share readings
13. How to best manage your time
• Treat your law degree like a job
– Discipline
– Stick to a timetable
14. How to best manage your time
• Once you have finished a piece, physically
walk away from it
– Get some fresh air
– Go to the gym
– Come back later and you will notice all the
imperfections and mistakes
15. How to best manage your time
• Create time to get feedback from other people
• Seek feedback from someone who is brutally
honest
