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How to Write a First-Class Law Essay

Studying law at university entails lots of essay writing. This article takes you through the key steps to writing a top law essay.

Writing a law essay can be a challenging task. As a law student, you’ll be expected to analyse complex legal issues and apply legal principles to real-world scenarios. At the same time, you’ll need to be able to communicate your ideas clearly and persuasively. In this article, we’ll cover some top tips to guide you through the process of planning, researching, structuring and writing a first-class law essay with confidence. 

1. Start In Advance

Give yourself plenty of time to plan, research and write your law essay. Always aim to start your law essay as soon as you have the question. Leaving it until the last minute does not only create unnecessary stress, but it also leaves you insufficient time to write, reference and perfect your work.

2. Understand The Question

Do not begin until you fully comprehend the question. Take the time to read the question carefully and make sure that you understand what it’s asking you to do. Highlight key terms and annotate the question with definitions of key concepts and any questions that you have have. Think about how the question links back to what you’ve learned during your lectures or through your readings.

3. Conduct Thorough Research

Conducting thorough research around your topic is one of the most fundamental parts of the essay writing process. You should aim to use a range of relevant sources, such as cases, academic articles, books and any other legal materials. Ensure that the information you collect is taken from relevant, reliable and up to date sources. Use primary over secondary material as much as possible.

Avoid using outdated laws and obscure blog posts as sources of information. Always aim to choose authoritative sources from experts within the field, such as academics, politicians, lawyers and judges. Using high-quality and authoritative sources and demonstrating profound and critical insight into your topic are what will earn you top marks.

4. Write A Detailed Plan

Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to plan your essay. When writing your plan, you’ll need to create an outline that clearly identifies the main points that you wish to make throughout your article. Try to write down what you wish to achieve in each paragraph, what concepts you want to discuss and arguments you want to make.

Your outline should be organised in a clear, coherent and logical manner to ensure that the person grading your essay can follow your line of thought and arguments easily.  You may also wish to include headings and subheadings to structure your essay effectively This makes it easier when it comes to writing the essay as starting without a plan can get messy. The essay must answer the question and nothing but the question so ensure all of your points relate to it.

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5. Write A Compelling Introduction

A great introduction should, firstly, outline the research topic.  The introduction is one of the most crucial parts of the law essay as it sets the tone for the rest of the paper. It should capture the readers attention and provide the background context on the topic. Most importantly, it should state the thesis of your essay.

When writing your introduction, avoid simply repeating the given question. Secondly, create a road map for the reader, letting them know how the essay will approach the question. Your introduction must be concise. The main body of the essay is where you will go into detail.

6. Include A Strong Thesis Statement

Your thesis should clearly set out the argument you are going to be making throughout your essay and should normally go in the introduction. Your thesis should adopt a clear stance rather than being overly general or wishy-washy. To obtain the best grades, you’ll need to show a unique perspective based upon a critical analysis of the topic rather than adopting the most obvious point of view.

Once you’ve conducted your research and had a chance to reflect on your topic, ask yourself whether you can prove your argument within the given word count or whether you would need to adopt a more modest position for your paper. Always have a clear idea of what your thesis statement is before you begin writing the content of your essay. 

7. Present the Counter-argument

To demonstrate your deeper understanding of the topic, it’s important to show your ability to consider the counter-arguments and address them in a careful and reasoned manner. When presenting your counterarguments, aim to depict them in the best possible light, aiming to be fair and reasonable before moving on to your rebuttal. To ensure that your essay is convincing, you will need to have a strong rebuttal that explains why your argument is stronger and more persuasive. This will demonstrate your capacity for critical analysis, showing the reader that you have carefully considered differing perspectives before coming to a well-supported conclusion.

8. End With A Strong Conclusion

Your conclusion is your opportunity to summarise the key points made throughout your essay and to restate the thesis statement in a clear and concise manner.  Avoid simply repeating what has already been mentioned in the body of the essay. For top grades, you should use the conclusion as an opportunity to provide critical reflection and analysis on the topic. You may also wish to share any further insights or recommendations into alternative avenues to consider or implications for further research that could add value to the topic. 

9. Review The Content Of Your Essay

Make sure you factor in time to edit the content of your essay.  Once you’ve finished your first draft, come back to it the next day. Re-read your essay with a critical perspective. Do your arguments make sense? Do your paragraphs flow in a logical manner? You may also consider asking someone to read your paper and give you critical feedback. They may be able to add another perspective you haven’t considered or suggest another research paper that could add value to your essay. 

10. Proofread For Grammatical Mistakes

Once you’re happy with the content of your essay, the last step is to thoroughly proofread your essay for any grammatical errors. Ensure that you take time to ensure that there are no grammar, spelling or punctuation errors as these can be one of the easiest ways to lose marks. You can ask anyone to proofread your paper, as they would not necessarily need to have a legal background – just strong grammar and spelling skills! 

11. Check Submission Guidelines

Before submitting, ensure that your paper conforms with the style, referencing and presentation guidelines set out by your university. This includes the correct font, font size and line spacing as well as elements such as page numbers, table of content etc. Referencing is also incredibly important as you’ll need to make sure that you are following the correct referencing system chosen by your university. Check your university’s guidelines about what the word count is and whether you need to include your student identification number in your essay as well. Be thorough and don’t lose marks for minor reasons!

12. Use Legal Terms Accurately

Always make sure that you are using legal terms accurately throughout your essay. Check an authoritative resource if you are unsure of any definitions. While being sophisticated is great, legal jargon if not used correctly or appropriately can weaken your essay. Aim to be concise and to stick to the point. Don’t use ten words when only two will do.

12. Create a Vocabulary Bank

One recurring piece of advice from seasoned law students is to take note of phrases from books and articles, key definitions or concepts and even quotes from your professors. When it comes to writing your law essay, you will have a whole range of ideas and vocabulary that will help you to develop your understanding and thoughts on a given topic. This will make writing your law essay even easier!

13. Finally, Take Care of Yourself

Last but certainly not least, looking after your health can improve your attitude towards writing your law essay your coursework in general. Sleep, eat, drink and exercise appropriately. Take regular breaks and try not to stress. Do not forget to enjoy writing the essay!

Words by Karen Fulton

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CRITICAL ANALYSIS IN LAW ESSAYS

By Lorna Baldry

Critical analysis is a skill that many learners tell us they find problematic. They can’t always grasp what it means, sometimes they think it means much more than it actually does and of course there is no substitute for knowing the law and the commentary on the law. That’s one of the things that will help all to become clear.

Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) Chief Examiners identify in their reports that many candidates choose to stay away from essay questions which involve critical analysis. Instead preferring to respond to problem questions. For some learners this is because they have not had experience of further and higher education where they may have gained gradually increasing study skills, including analysis and critical interpretation. Graduate learners will have received guidance on writing legal essays, but practice is sometimes new and something they’re aspiring to be a part of or progress with.

Those without the background of formal study skills guidance tend to be drawn to problem questions where they can apply the law and advise fictional clients in a notional scenario. This is what they do in work, they feel really comfortable with it. Graduates on the other hand will often tend to stay away from and feel more unsure of advising clients. They prefer a more formal, academic style essay question. Sometimes this is one of the reasons that law graduates do not always pass their CILEx exams first time. It’s one of their moments of realisation that the CILEx exams are much more difficult and quite different to the ones they sat during their degree.

Guiding our learners in the skill

Our CILEx learners make a big jump from level 3 to level 6 and need to know the difference between short answer questions and essay questions and the difference between essay questions and problem essay questions.

We give everyone a 6 month access to a course full of tips, guidance and resources for revision and exam preparation. We run lots of workshops on study skills and transition between study levels as well as revision and exam preparation. Our tutors are always looking out for the individual needs of our learners to develop new and extended skills.

Learners making the transition between levels need to be mindful of the change in the marks available for their responses and what that means for how much they need to write and how sophisticated their writing needs to be. They need to become familiar with key words in a question and the responses those words are trying to elicit.

With learners who are new to level 6 or new to level 6 with Brightlink, who do not have a law degree, we need to start right from the beginning on style.

Critical analysis is subjective writing expressing opinion and evaluation. It includes breaking down and studying the parts of an assertion or situation.

Critical analysis should include the learners evidenced opinion, matters of law and the commentary of knowledgeable and recognised third parties. Depending on the question that could be judiciary through obiter and ratio or in some responses it may be academics.

We direct learners to the suggested answers for past papers, which is what they are trying to emulate. We have our own style guides and tips and techniques to support our learners with this and other study skills.  From August 2020 all Brightlink learners can learn much more about critical analysis as part of their study throughout levels 3 and 6.

Get in touch to ask about help and support available for your legal studies and how you can add critical analysis to your skill set.

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Liverpool Law School

Essay-writing: tips & hints for success.

Posted on: 28 February 2022 by Kirsten Ward in Blog

At several points during your degree, you may be asked to write an essay. In some modules, essays form a key component of your summative assessment. To celebrate National Essay Day on 28th February, we have collated a set of hints & tips, designed to help you succeed in achieving a higher mark in your essay-based assessments.

So, what makes a great essay? Great essays are not just discursive but also analytical. Done well, essays not only communicate your understanding of a topic to the examiner, but can be learning processes in themselves, encouraging you to organise relevant material and think in new and creative ways. To impress an examiner, essays must be appropriately referenced and carefully framed, using academic language, and be free from typographical errors. For these reasons, you are strongly encouraged to start your essays early, leaving enough time for thorough proofreading with fresh eyes.

At a base level, your essay is a reasoned answer, supported by evidence, to the question set. The evidence for your argument comes from your wider reading. The way you select and interpret this evidence and explain how this helps you to answer the question, demonstrates your own thinking to the examiner. Producing a well-organised and evidence-based critical discussion, that directly answers the question set, is not an easy task. You will find that your essay writing improves with practice as you progress throughout your degree. However, developing good habits from the outset can go a long way in helping you to achieve success in your essay-based assessments.

Reading with Purpose

When you first receive the essay question, it is important to avoid rushing into the writing process. Although you may wish to show off the breadth of your knowledge to the examiner, writing down everything that you know about a topic, without a clear plan or structure, is likely to reduce the strength of your argument. Aim to make your examiners life as easy as possible, by grouping ideas together, and considering your overarching narrative, before putting pen to paper.

The first key tip is to ensure you answer the question. As with writing, do not rush into research. Instead, dedicate some time to understanding exactly what the question is asking. Consider the question within its context: what wider debates and issues may it be touching on from your lectures and seminars? Is there a specific viewpoint, or angle, that the question takes, or wishes you to explore? Is the question part of a wider discussion, perhaps one that is ongoing within the academic literature? Your lecturer may encourage you to narrow the question down, particularly if there is a tight word-limit. If you choose to focus on a particular area, ensure that you explain your choice to the examiner. Show them that you understand that, whilst there may be wider issues at play, you have chosen to conduct a deeper analysis within a certain area, given the constraints of the word limit. Likewise, if the question retains a narrow focus, ensure that you stay within the defined limits, and try not to entertain tangential debates.

Re-reading the question and underlining key words can help in clarifying what your answer should cover. Look out for any subject-specific terms that are used, and check that you fully understand them. You may also wish to highlight the type of analysis that the question is asking you to undertake. For example, are you being asked to compare and contrast or to critically analyse, possibly by reference to key cases or academic papers? If in doubt, break the question down. Ask, why is this topic important? Set yourself an orderly plan for research. What do you need to find out first? Breaking the question down into bitesize research tasks can prove useful when you come to plan your essay. You will then already have done a lot of the work in determining what each aspect of your argument adds to the assessment.

Once you have considered what the question is asking, you may wish to note down your initial thoughts, including: (a) what you already know about the topic (b) any aspects that you may need to research further and (c) your preliminary conclusion. This begins the process of formulating your argument and is likely to help you in prioritising your reading. Once you have completed your research, you may wish to repeat this process. By bringing together key ideas from your wider reading, you can clarify: (a) what you have found out and (b) whether your initial conclusions have changed. Remember when conducting your research, make sure you jot down a brief citation for each academic source. This will prove useful when collating your bibliography prior to submission.

Developing as a Researcher

Good essays are underpinned by sound critical analysis. Your aim when conducting preparatory research is to analyse material and evaluate the contribution it makes to your argument. Although critical analysis may seem, at first sight, a high-level skill, we make reasoned decisions every day. Critical analysis involves two main tasks: (a) weighing up the evidence supporting a certain idea to determine whether it is convincing, and (b) explaining why the evidence is, or is not, convincing. You may find it useful to approach your wider reading with a list of questions to trigger a critical approach, including (i) what is the author’s viewpoint and could it be biased? (ii) could the intended audience have influenced the way that the information is presented? (iii) what is the author’s main argument and what evidence is used in support? (iv) is the argument convincing and what are the challenges that could be waged against the conclusions made? Critical analysis does not necessarily mean disagreeing with an argument. It is equally important to be able to explain why you agree with a certain line of reasoning.

Post-it notes on a wall show one method of essay planning.

Planning with Intent

Writing with a plan often increases the overall coherence and structure of an essay. Because you know your end point and have undertaken the complex reasoning needed to bring logic to your argument, a plan allows you to focus on effectively communicating your ideas to the examiner. It also avoids the common pitfall of changing your line of reasoning halfway through writing your argument. Becoming comfortable with leaving aspects out of your essay is a skill. Remember, your word count means that it is impossible to cover everything. Your examiner is instead assessing your ability to harness and bring order to a tailored set of evidence.

Each of us adopts our own style of planning. Most commonly, you may wish to brainstorm your ideas, and arrange them into three or four groups, reflecting the key sections within your essay. Remember, not all ideas will fit neatly into this structure, so be prepared to discard them if necessary. Many writers find it helpful to store less relevant ideas within a separate Word document. Likewise, some students prefer visual plans, such as spider diagrams or mind maps, with key ideas springing out from a central question. Ideas can then be numbered, or colour coded, to structure the creative brainstorm. Others prefer a linear style, such as bullet pointing. Once you have your plan, a quick overview can often indicate whether you have too much, or too little, information. As always, be prepared for your exact line, or structure, of your argument to change as you write. You may notice new connections and patterns within, or between, your ideas. However, a plan is easily adaptable. Having an initial overarching structure will ensure that you can quickly see where any new thoughts or arguments fit into your essay.

The main purpose of planning is to set out what you will focus on in each section. This will include an introduction, where you will address: (a) what the question is asking (b) why this is interesting for your examiner and (c) how you plan to answer it. If you are struggling to get started, write down each question you are seeking to answer in turn, and take one at a time. Some students prefer to write a summary before they begin, setting out the central thesis of their essay within one or two sentences, to ensure they have a strong, overarching direction. Others prefer to write their introduction last, once they have a clear idea of their argument within the essay. You may choose to begin with the paragraph you feel most confident about and build momentum from there. Your outline should also address the main body of your essay, focusing on how each paragraph will build your argument. You may wish to try out different sequences for your groups of ideas, to determine which structure is the most persuasive. Remember that your key aim is to answer the question set. One useful tip is to focus each paragraph on one argument only. You may wish to break your plan down into more detailed sub-sections, noting the evidence from your wider reading which supports each point. Finally, your plan should bring your ideas together into a conclusion, where you summarise your arguments and show how you have addressed the question set.

Writing for Success

With a structured plan, you should have a good idea of what role each paragraph plays within your overall argument. This should help you to gauge what evidence you need to include within each section and how your essay fits together as a whole. Remember, introductions and conclusions serve key purposes within your assessment: they can make a good first and last impression. Both are core structural devices to guide the examiner through your argument. Introductions should also set out the conceptual and theoretical framework underpinning your essay. Ask yourself what the examiner needs to know, to be able to follow your argument, and how best you can draw them in from the outset. Likewise, consider what message you wish to leave the examiner with, and whether your main argument comes through clearly in your conclusion.

Remember, your introduction is the gateway into your essay. It is a map that guides the examiner, identifying the main route, and positioning your argument within the wider academic landscape. The main body of your essay should then develop the ideas that you have outlined in your introduction. The key to a successful essay is to integrate your own arguments with evidence from your wider reading. Generally, it is better to discuss fewer points, in more depth. The strongest approaches also tend to adopt a thematic analysis, integrating the arguments which can be advanced on both sides of a debate, as opposed to addressing one after the other. Remember that your essay should be analytical as opposed to descriptive. Try to only include background details where they add directly to your argument. It can prove a useful exercise once you have a first draft, to highlight areas of description in one colour and areas of analysis and evaluation in another. This will allow you to check that you have an appropriate balance.

Whilst everyone has their own style of writing, each paragraph should adopt a strong structure. Beginning with a topic sentence, the paragraph should signal to the examiner what it adds to the essay. The introductory sentence should then be supported by evidence and critical analysis. You should seek to interpret the evidence, explaining how, and why, your wider reading supports your main line of argument. Avoid simply letting the evidence ‘speak for itself’ or relying on sweeping generalisations. Instead, use case studies and specific examples. Counterarguments though, can be turned to your advantage. The strongest essays do not ignore opposing viewpoints, but rather address them head-on.

Each paragraph should then finish with a mini conclusion, linking the paragraph back to the question set. Remember that each idea should be supported by a fully cited reference from your wider reading. You should also pay close attention to the advice given by your lecturer, who may share their own style preferences, including the use of subheadings, first person and indentation. Always keep the question in front of you during the writing process. Be ruthless in discarding irrelevant material: a lack of succinctness may cost you marks. Finally, signpost your reader by using appropriate connecting phrases, guiding them through the overarching narrative of your answer.

Your conclusion should capture the journey your examiner has undertaken in reading your essay. It should allow for reflection on the main issues discussed, and directly relate back to the question set, showing how you have reached your answer. If the question asks you to make a judgment call, then you should clearly outline your reasoning. Whilst a nuanced conclusion may be appropriate, you should try to avoid ‘sitting on the fence’ or combining several sides of an argument into a muddled conclusion. Importantly, you should not introduce new material into a conclusion. Instead, focus on ‘closing the circle’ of your discussion by answering the questions raised in your introduction. You may wish to comment speculatively regarding future developments, although some writers prefer to include these discussions as part of their analysis. Similarly, although it may be appropriate to comment on the limitations of your analysis, you should avoid ending your argument on a negative or a rhetorical question. Ultimately, your conclusion should leave the examiner with a clear and positive view of your main argument.

Developing as a Writer

Writing is not an easy task. If at any stage, you become stuck, it may be useful to revisit your main ideas. Try writing one or two sentences, explaining what you are trying to get across to the examiner, without worrying about the exact phrasing. It may also help to explain the idea out loud. A trusted friend or family member can highlight any aspects which need further exploration. Do though, pay careful attention to academic integrity guidelines. After submitting a few essays, you will begin to understand what type of writer you are. You can then adapt your planning and writing habits to suit your needs. For example, if you are a slow writer, perhaps because you seek perfection in each sentence as you write, you may wish to explore writing a rough draft and beginning the editing process from there. In any event, redrafting is unavoidable, and time spent on editing and proofreading can make a real difference to your final mark.

Essays should be written in a formal academic style, avoiding the use of cliches, contractions and subjective descriptions. Common pitfalls include overreliance on ‘academic-sounding’ words and the use of overly long sentences. Both inhibit clear and accurate communication. Ideally, leave a day between finishing your essay and proofreading to gain some distance from your work. Try reading your essay aloud or using the ‘read aloud’ function on Word. This will ensure you focus on each word, highlighting sentences that are too long or dense. Check too, that your argument flows and makes sense as a cohesive whole. Do not be afraid to restructure, even at this late stage, or to cut information that is not directly relevant to the question. Remember, the examiner is looking for a focused argument. Put yourself in their shoes. Can you follow the argument clearly? Are there gaps in the reasoning? Is the argument signposted? You also need to check your references and bibliography, adopting a consistent formatting style throughout. Finally, pay close attention to any feedback you have received on previous essays. Do not be afraid to approach your lecturer or academic adviser with any questions you may have. Good luck!

Keywords: Essay Writing , National Essay-Writing Day , Essay planning , writing for success , developing as a writer , Reading , research , Research writing .

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How to Write a Law Essay: 8 Steps

December 28, 2023

1. Choosing an Essay Topic

When it comes to writing a law essay, choosing an appropriate topic is crucial. A well-chosen topic will make your research and writing process smoother and more enjoyable, while a poorly chosen topic can lead to frustration and a lackluster essay.

Firstly, consider what has piqued your interest in your law studies so far. Perhaps there was a case or topic that you found particularly intriguing, or an aspect of law that you feel needs further exploration. Alternatively, you could focus on a current legal issue that you feel strongly about and want to delve deeper into.

It’s also important to make sure your topic isn’t too broad or too narrow. Too broad of a topic can result in a lack of focus, while a topic that is too narrow won’t give you enough research material to work with.

Ultimately, choosing a law essay topic is about finding a balance between your personal interests and the practical aspects of your assignment. Take the time to carefully consider your options, and don’t be afraid to ask for input or guidance from your professor or classmates.

Possible Law Essay Topics

• The impact of social media on defamation laws.
• Analyzing the constitutionality of mandatory minimum sentencing.
• The effectiveness of restorative justice in reducing recidivism rates.
• Legal implications of artificial intelligence in the workplace.
• Exploring the rights of privacy versus national security in the digital age.
• Examining the legal and ethical issues surrounding euthanasia.
• Assessing the role of international law in combating climate change.
• Analyzing the legal framework for cyberbullying and online harassment.
• The legalization and regulation of recreational marijuana: a critical analysis.
• Exploring the intersection of intellectual property rights and emerging technologies.

Remember to choose a topic that aligns with your interests and research availability, while ensuring that it is adequately focused for a detailed analysis within the scope of your essay.

2. Researching the Topic

Before diving into writing a law essay, it’s essential to conduct thorough research on the chosen topic. This step is critical to ensure that the essay is factually correct, well-supported, and logically structured. Here are some tips on how to research effectively for a law essay:

• Begin by gathering basic information. Use specialized textbooks, journals, and databases to gain a foundational understanding of the topic.
• Use secondary sources to gain a broader perspective on the topic. Utilize reputable news sources, government publications, and online legal databases to broaden your search.
• Access case law. To support your arguments, cite legal cases that illustrate your argument. Access online case law databases that have accessible search functions.
• Use primary sources. Primary sources include statutes, regulation, and the constitution. It’s important to have a good grasp of the primary sources since they are the basis of much of legal research.
• Take notes. Keep track of all relevant information, including sources and citations. Use an organized format that will make outlining and writing the essay a simpler process.
• Evaluate and analyze. Through the research process, it’s important to analyze the information found. Determine what is and is not relevant, and how it factors into your argument.

By conducting thorough research, you will be able to support your argument with a well-evidenced and structured essay. Remember to keep track of all sources and citations as they will be necessary in the writing process.

3. Developing Strong Thesis Statement

Developing a strong thesis statement is essential when writing a law essay. This powerful statement sets the tone for the entire article and guides the reader’s understanding of your argument. To create an effective thesis statement, you must first fully understand the topic and question at hand. Take your time to research and gather relevant information to support your viewpoint. As you delve deeper into the subject, analyze different perspectives and identify the key arguments surrounding the topic. Once you have a clear understanding of the various viewpoints, narrow down your focus and craft a concise and persuasive thesis statement that clearly states your position. Remember, a strong thesis statement should be debatable, specific, and assertive. Spend time honing your thesis to ensure it effectively conveys your argument and engages the reader’s interest.

Example thesis statement:

“The death penalty should be abolished in the United States because it violates the Eighth Amendment, fails to act as an effective deterrent, and disproportionately affects marginalized communities.”

4. Structuring the Law Essay

Structuring your law essay is crucial to ensure clarity, coherence, and a logical flow of ideas. Here’s a breakdown of how to structure your law essay:

Introduction:

• Provide a brief overview of the topic and its significance.
• Present the thesis statement, clearly stating your argument.

Background and Context:

• Provide necessary background information to help the reader understand the topic.
• Explain relevant legal concepts, principles, or statutes related to your argument.
• Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that relates to your thesis statement.
• Present your arguments and support them with evidence, case law, or legal authorities.
• Use clear and concise language to explain your points and provide analysis.

Counter-Argument:

• Acknowledge and present the counter-argument(s) objectively and logically.
• Refute the counter-argument(s) with reasoned explanations and supportive evidence.

Conclusion:

• Summarize your main arguments and their supporting evidence.
• Restate your thesis statement and highlight its significance.
• Offer some final thoughts or suggestions for further research or action.

Remember to use appropriate headings and subheadings to structure your essay effectively. Use transition words and phrases to ensure a smooth flow between paragraphs. Additionally, ensure proper citations and referencing throughout the essay to maintain academic integrity.

5. Writing the Introduction

Writing the introduction is your opportunity to grab the reader’s attention and set the tone for your entire law essay. Here’s how you can effectively structure your introduction:

Start with a hook:

• Use a compelling statement, anecdote, or a relevant quote to engage the reader and create interest in your topic.

Provide background information:

• Give a brief overview of the legal issue or topic you will be discussing.
• Explain the significance and relevance of the topic to the field of law or society at large.

State the purpose and scope of your essay:

• Clearly state your thesis statement, which should encapsulate your main argument.
• Mention the key points you will address and the legal principles, cases, or statutes you will analyze.

Outline the essay structure:

• Provide a brief outline of how your essay will be structured.
• Mention the main sections or arguments you will present.

Establish the context:

• Explain any necessary legal concepts, terms, or background information that the reader needs to understand.

Remember to keep your introduction concise and focused. It should provide enough information to orient the reader and generate interest in your essay. However, save the detailed arguments and evidence for the main body of your essay. Aim to make your introduction clear, engaging, and persuasive, setting the stage for the rest of your law essay.

6. Developing the Body Paragraphs

Developing the body paragraphs is the core of your law essay, where you present and support your arguments with evidence and analysis. Here’s how to effectively structure and develop your body paragraphs:

Start with a topic sentence:

• Each body paragraph should begin with a clear topic sentence that relates to your thesis statement.
• The topic sentence sets the tone and direction for the paragraph.

Present your argument:

• Clearly state your argument or point of view in the opening sentences of each paragraph.
• Provide supporting evidence, such as case law, statutory provisions, or legal principles, to back up your argument.

Analyze and interpret the evidence:

• Explain the significance of the evidence in relation to your argument.
• Analyze how the evidence supports and strengthens your position.

Use legal authorities and sources:

• Cite relevant cases, statutes, or legal commentary to support your arguments.
• Refer to authoritative legal sources, such as court decisions or academic articles, to provide credibility.

Use clear and concise language:

• Clearly articulate your ideas using logical transitions and precise language.
• Avoid unnecessary jargon or overly complex language that may confuse the reader.

Remember to properly structure your paragraphs, provide sufficient evidence and analysis, and link your arguments back to your main thesis statement. Each paragraph should contribute to the overall coherence and flow of your essay, ensuring a convincing and well-supported argument.

7. Present the Counter-argument

Presenting the counter-argument is an essential component of writing a persuasive law essay. Failing to acknowledge opposing viewpoints weakens your argument and makes it appear biased. Therefore, it is crucial to identify different perspectives surrounding the topic and analyze these perspectives objectively. Once you have identified the counter-argument, you can present it in your essay, offering evidence and explanations to support it. Addressing counter-arguments in your essay strengthens your credibility as a writer and demonstrates your ability to look at a topic from multiple perspectives. Additionally, this approach makes your essay more convincing by acknowledging and addressing potential criticism of your argument. Keep in mind that effectively presenting the counter-argument requires thorough research, logical reasoning, and evidence-based arguments. Therefore, take your time to critically analyze opposing views to ensure your argument is backed up by relevant and reliable supporting evidence. By doing so, you can construct a well-reasoned and thoughtful essay that can withstand any counter-argument.

8. Crafting the Conclusion

Crafting a strong conclusion is essential to leave a lasting impression on the reader and effectively summarize your arguments in a law essay. Here are some key steps to consider when writing your conclusion:

Summarize your main points:

• Recapitulate the main arguments you presented in the body paragraphs.
• Provide a brief overview of the evidence you presented to support each argument.

Reinforce your thesis statement:

• Restate your thesis statement in a concise manner to remind the reader of your main argument.
• Emphasize the significance and relevance of your thesis in the context of the larger legal issue.

Offer a broader perspective:

• Connect your arguments to the wider legal or societal implications of the topic.
• Discuss the potential consequences or impact of your findings on the field of law or legal practice.

Suggest areas for further research:

• Highlight any unanswered questions or areas of debate that may require future exploration.
• Propose avenues for future research or policy development related to your topic.

Conclude with a compelling closing statement:

• Leave the reader with a thought-provoking final remark that leaves a lasting impression.
• Use a concise and powerful statement to tie together your essay and reinforce your main message.

Ensure that your conclusion is concise, focused, and aligned with your overall argument. It should serve as a strong ending to your law essay, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of your position and the importance of the topic discussed.

Use Legal Terms Accurately

In the realm of writing law essays, the accurate and precise use of legal terms is paramount. This subheading focuses on the importance of correctly employing legal terminology in order to craft an exceptional law essay.

Mastering legal terminology is essential for two reasons. Firstly, it demonstrates an understanding and grasp of the subject matter, showcasing your expertise to both professors and potential employers. Secondly, using legal terms accurately enhances the clarity and coherence of your arguments, making your essay more persuasive and compelling. However, it is crucial to strike a balance – overusing legal jargon may alienate readers who are not well-versed in the law.

To ensure accuracy, it is imperative to consult reliable legal sources such as authoritative textbooks, journals, or statutes. Moreover, reading and analyzing sample essays or exemplary legal writing can provide guidance on how to effectively incorporate legal terms into your own work. By diligently honing your legal language skills, you will significantly elevate the quality and impact of your law essays.

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33 Critical Analysis Examples

Critical analysis refers to the ability to examine something in detail in preparation to make an evaluation or judgment.

It will involve exploring underlying assumptions, theories, arguments, evidence, logic, biases, contextual factors, and so forth, that could help shed more light on the topic.

In essay writing, a critical analysis essay will involve using a range of analytical skills to explore a topic, such as:

• Evaluating sources
• Exploring strengths and weaknesses
• Exploring pros and cons
• Questioning and challenging ideas
• Comparing and contrasting ideas

If you’re writing an essay, you could also watch my guide on how to write a critical analysis essay below, and don’t forget to grab your worksheets and critical analysis essay plan to save yourself a ton of time:

Grab your Critical Analysis Worksheets and Essay Plan Here

Critical Analysis Examples

1. exploring strengths and weaknesses.

Perhaps the first and most straightforward method of critical analysis is to create a simple strengths-vs-weaknesses comparison.

Most things have both strengths and weaknesses – you could even do this for yourself! What are your strengths? Maybe you’re kind or good at sports or good with children. What are your weaknesses? Maybe you struggle with essay writing or concentration.

If you can analyze your own strengths and weaknesses, then you understand the concept. What might be the strengths and weaknesses of the idea you’re hoping to critically analyze?

Strengths and weaknesses could include:

• Does it seem highly ethical (strength) or could it be more ethical (weakness)?
• Is it clearly explained (strength) or complex and lacking logical structure (weakness)?
• Does it seem balanced (strength) or biased (weakness)?

You may consider using a SWOT analysis for this step. I’ve provided a SWOT analysis guide here .

2. Evaluating Sources

Evaluation of sources refers to looking at whether a source is reliable or unreliable.

This is a fundamental media literacy skill .

Steps involved in evaluating sources include asking questions like:

• Who is the author and are they trustworthy?
• Is this written by an expert?
• Is this sufficiently reviewed by an expert?
• Is this published in a trustworthy publication?
• Are the arguments sound or common sense?

For more on this topic, I’d recommend my detailed guide on digital literacy .

3. Identifying Similarities

Identifying similarities encompasses the act of drawing parallels between elements, concepts, or issues.

In critical analysis, it’s common to compare a given article, idea, or theory to another one. In this way, you can identify areas in which they are alike.

Determining similarities can be a challenge, but it’s an intellectual exercise that fosters a greater understanding of the aspects you’re studying. This step often calls for a careful reading and note-taking to highlight matching information, points of view, arguments or even suggested solutions.

Similarities might be found in:

• The key themes or topics discussed
• The theories or principles used
• The demographic the work is written for or about
• The solutions or recommendations proposed

Remember, the intention of identifying similarities is not to prove one right or wrong. Rather, it sets the foundation for understanding the larger context of your analysis, anchoring your arguments in a broader spectrum of ideas.

Your critical analysis strengthens when you can see the patterns and connections across different works or topics. It fosters a more comprehensive, insightful perspective. And importantly, it is a stepping stone in your analysis journey towards evaluating differences, which is equally imperative and insightful in any analysis.

4. Identifying Differences

Identifying differences involves pinpointing the unique aspects, viewpoints or solutions introduced by the text you’re analyzing. How does it stand out as different from other texts?

To do this, you’ll need to compare this text to another text.

Differences can be revealed in:

• The potential applications of each idea
• The time, context, or place in which the elements were conceived or implemented
• The available evidence each element uses to support its ideas
• The perspectives of authors
• The conclusions reached

Identifying differences helps to reveal the multiplicity of perspectives and approaches on a given topic. Doing so provides a more in-depth, nuanced understanding of the field or issue you’re exploring.

This deeper understanding can greatly enhance your overall critique of the text you’re looking at. As such, learning to identify both similarities and differences is an essential skill for effective critical analysis.

My favorite tool for identifying similarities and differences is a Venn Diagram:

To use a venn diagram, title each circle for two different texts. Then, place similarities in the overlapping area of the circles, while unique characteristics (differences) of each text in the non-overlapping parts.

6. Identifying Oversights

Identifying oversights entails pointing out what the author missed, overlooked, or neglected in their work.

Almost every written work, no matter the expertise or meticulousness of the author, contains oversights. These omissions can be absent-minded mistakes or gaps in the argument, stemming from a lack of knowledge, foresight, or attentiveness.

Such gaps can be found in:

• Missed opportunities to counter or address opposing views
• Failure to consider certain relevant aspects or perspectives
• Incomplete or insufficient data that leaves the argument weak
• Failing to address potential criticism or counter-arguments

By shining a light on these weaknesses, you increase the depth and breadth of your critical analysis. It helps you to estimate the full worth of the text, understand its limitations, and contextualize it within the broader landscape of related work. Ultimately, noticing these oversights helps to make your analysis more balanced and considerate of the full complexity of the topic at hand.

You may notice here that identifying oversights requires you to already have a broad understanding and knowledge of the topic in the first place – so, study up!

7. Fact Checking

Fact-checking refers to the process of meticulously verifying the truth and accuracy of the data, statements, or claims put forward in a text.

Fact-checking serves as the bulwark against misinformation, bias, and unsubstantiated claims. It demands thorough research, resourcefulness, and a keen eye for detail.

Fact-checking goes beyond surface-level assertions:

• Examining the validity of the data given
• Cross-referencing information with other reliable sources
• Scrutinizing references, citations, and sources utilized in the article
• Distinguishing between opinion and objectively verifiable truths
• Checking for outdated, biased, or unbalanced information

If you identify factual errors, it’s vital to highlight them when critically analyzing the text. But remember, you could also (after careful scrutiny) also highlight that the text appears to be factually correct – that, too, is critical analysis.

8. Exploring Counterexamples

Exploring counterexamples involves searching and presenting instances or cases which contradict the arguments or conclusions presented in a text.

Counterexamples are an effective way to challenge the generalizations, assumptions or conclusions made in an article or theory. They can reveal weaknesses or oversights in the logic or validity of the author’s perspective.

Considerations in counterexample analysis are:

• Identifying generalizations made in the text
• Seeking examples in academic literature or real-world instances that contradict these generalizations
• Assessing the impact of these counterexamples on the validity of the text’s argument or conclusion

Exploring counterexamples enriches your critical analysis by injecting an extra layer of scrutiny, and even doubt, in the text.

By presenting counterexamples, you not only test the resilience and validity of the text but also open up new avenues of discussion and investigation that can further your understanding of the topic.

See Also: Counterargument Examples

9. Assessing Methodologies

Assessing methodologies entails examining the techniques, tools, or procedures employed by the author to collect, analyze and present their information.

The accuracy and validity of a text’s conclusions often depend on the credibility and appropriateness of the methodologies used.

Aspects to inspect include:

• The appropriateness of the research method for the research question
• The adequacy of the sample size
• The validity and reliability of data collection instruments
• The application of statistical tests and evaluations
• The implementation of controls to prevent bias or mitigate its impact

One strategy you could implement here is to consider a range of other methodologies the author could have used. If the author conducted interviews, consider questioning why they didn’t use broad surveys that could have presented more quantitative findings. If they only interviewed people with one perspective, consider questioning why they didn’t interview a wider variety of people, etc.

See Also: A List of Research Methodologies

10. Exploring Alternative Explanations

Exploring alternative explanations refers to the practice of proposing differing or opposing ideas to those put forward in the text.

An underlying assumption in any analysis is that there may be multiple valid perspectives on a single topic. The text you’re analyzing might provide one perspective, but your job is to bring into the light other reasonable explanations or interpretations.

Cultivating alternative explanations often involves:

• Formulating hypotheses or theories that differ from those presented in the text
• Referring to other established ideas or models that offer a differing viewpoint
• Suggesting a new or unique angle to interpret the data or phenomenon discussed in the text

Searching for alternative explanations challenges the authority of a singular narrative or perspective, fostering an environment ripe for intellectual discourse and critical thinking . It nudges you to examine the topic from multiple angles, enhancing your understanding and appreciation of the complexity inherent in the field.

A Full List of Critical Analysis Skills

• Exploring Strengths and Weaknesses
• Evaluating Sources
• Identifying Similarities
• Identifying Differences
• Identifying Biases
• Hypothesis Testing
• Fact-Checking
• Exploring Counterexamples
• Assessing Methodologies
• Exploring Alternative Explanations
• Pointing Out Contradictions
• Challenging the Significance
• Cause-And-Effect Analysis
• Assessing Generalizability
• Highlighting Inconsistencies
• Reductio ad Absurdum
• Comparing to Expert Testimony
• Comparing to Precedent
• Reframing the Argument
• Pointing Out Fallacies
• Questioning the Ethics
• Clarifying Definitions
• Challenging Assumptions
• Exposing Oversimplifications
• Highlighting Missing Information
• Demonstrating Irrelevance
• Assessing Effectiveness
• Assessing Trustworthiness
• Recognizing Patterns
• Differentiating Facts from Opinions
• Analyzing Perspectives
• Prioritization
• Making Predictions
• Conducting a SWOT Analysis
• PESTLE Analysis
• Asking the Five Whys
• Correlating Data Points
• Finding Anomalies Or Outliers
• Comparing to Expert Literature
• Drawing Inferences
• Assessing Validity & Reliability

Analysis and Bloom’s Taxonomy

Benjamin Bloom placed analysis as the third-highest form of thinking on his ladder of cognitive skills called Bloom’s Taxonomy .

This taxonomy starts with the lowest levels of thinking – remembering and understanding. The further we go up the ladder, the more we reach higher-order thinking skills that demonstrate depth of understanding and knowledge, as outlined below:

Here’s a full outline of the taxonomy in a table format:

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Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

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2 thoughts on “33 Critical Analysis Examples”

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! – I cannot even being to explain how hard it has been to find a simple but in-depth understanding of what ‘Critical Analysis’ is. I have looked at over 10 different pages and went down so many rabbit holes but this is brilliant! I only skimmed through the article but it was already promising, I then went back and read it more in-depth, it just all clicked into place. So thank you again!

You’re welcome – so glad it was helpful.

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How to Write a First-Class Law Essay: Mastering the FIRAC Model

Law essays can be challenging, but they contribute significantly to the mastery of legal principles and enhancing a student’s legal research skills. A first-class law essay does not only demonstrate a thorough understanding of legal principles, but is also clearly structured and incredibly well-written. In this article, we will guide you on how to write a first-class law essay, delve into the FIRAC model of legal writing, and address frequently asked questions on law essay writing.

Below is an outline of the points that will be discussed in detail throughout the article:

Understanding the Essay Question and Planning

Comprehensive legal research, writing techniques for a first-class law essay, common faqs on law essay writing.

Table of Contents

The first step in writing a top-notch law essay is to understand the essay question and planning your response. You should take care to read and analyze the question provided, identifying the main issues, required legal areas, and the keywords that will guide your research. Create a rough essay plan, outlining the main arguments and research resources necessary to address the topic.

Thorough researched is necessary in order to write a first-class law essay.This involves examining relevant cases, statutes, academic articles, and other authoritative sources. It is crucial to:

• Build a strong foundation of understanding for the specific legal topics involved
• Identify any contrary viewpoints and conflicting interpretations of the law
• Familiarize yourself with critical legal developments that may affect your essay’s arguments

It is essential to keep track of your sources and their essential details, as you will need to reference them accurately in your essay.

Structuring a Law Essay: The FIRAC Model

The FIRAC model is a universally recognized method of organizing and presenting legal arguments in writing. It consists of:

Start by providing a concise and relevant summary of the facts and background of the issue beingaddressed. Be objective and neutral in your presentation, ensuring that your readers have a clear understanding of the context.

Clearly identify the specific legal issues that arise from the facts. This may involve direct questions or problems that need to be resolved by referring to legal authorities, such as legislation, case law, or academic commentary.

Set out the relevant legal rules, principles, and precedents that apply to the issues in question. Present a clear and comprehensive explanation of the legal authorities and how they apply to the facts.

d. Analysis:

In this section, critically analyze and weigh the various arguments and approaches concerning the legal issues at hand. Provide a detailed evaluation of the relevant legal authorities,discussing their strengths and weaknesses, and highlighting any ambiguities, disagreements, or gaps in the law that are relevant to the issues being addressed.

e. Conclusion:

Wrap up your essay by summarizing the main points, integrating your key findings and the implications of your analysis. Be sure to address the initial essay question and provide a clear answer or position based on your research and discussion. Finally, offer any recommendations or propose potential legal reforms if appropriate.

To ensure that your law essay stands out as first-class, it is essential to embrace effective writing techniques, such as:

• Clarity and precision: Use clear, concise language and avoid unnecessary jargon or verbosity. 2.Coherent organization: Organize your essay logically, ensuring that each section flows smoothly into the next.
• Strong argumentation: Build well-reasoned arguments supported by solid evidence, authoritative sources, and persuasive analysis.
• Critical thinking: Question assumptions, explore alternative viewpoints, and engage in thoughtful reflection and analysis.
• Proper citation and referencing: Adhere to a consistent citation style and accurately credit all sources used in your essay.
• Proofreading and editing: Always proofread and edit your essay meticulously, eliminating grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and awkward phrasing.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about law essay writing:

How long should my law essay be?

The length of your law essay may vary, depending on the specific requirements and guidelines given by your instructor or institution. Typically, law essays range from 1,500 to 3,000 words, but it is crucial to adhere to the specified word count in your assignment.

How do I choose a citation style for my law essay?

Consult your assignment guidelines or ask your instructor for the preferred citation style used in legal writing at your institution, such as the Bluebook, Oxford Standard, or AGLC. Always use one citation style consistently throughout your essay.

Is it acceptable to use non-legal references in my essay?

While law essays primarily rely on legal authorities, it may be appropriate toinclude non-legal references, such as scholarly articles, reports, or empirical studies, to support your arguments or provide additional context. Always check with your instructor or assignment guidelines if you are unsure about using specific non-legal sources.

Can I use headings and subheadings in my law essay?

Headings and subheadings help organize your essay and guide your readers through your arguments. They are generally acceptable in law essays unless prohibited by your institution’s guidelines or your instructor’s preferences. Be sure to use a consistent formatting style for all headings and subheadings.

How can I avoid plagiarism in my law essay?

To avoid plagiarism, always accurately cite and reference any sources you use in your essay,whether they are direct quotes, paraphrased ideas, or summarized information. Also, ensure that your essay is primarily composed of your own original analysis and ideas, rather than relying too heavily on other sources. Make use of plagiarism-checking tools to identify potential areas of concern and correct them prior to submission.

By adhering to these guidelines and employing effective writing techniques, you can enhance the quality of your law essay and increase the likelihood of earning a first-class grade. Always remain diligent, focused, and committed to delivering thorough and engaging legal analysis throughout your academic writing endeavors.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Law Essays

In addition to following the guidelines and writing techniques, it’s important to avoid common mistakes when writing your law essay:

• Irrelevant or excessive detail : Stay focused on the essay question and avoid providing unnecessary or excessive details that don’t contribute to your central argument.
• Lack of structure: Ensure that your essay is logically organized, with clearly defined sections and a coherent flow from one section to another.
• Misunderstanding the question: Read the essay prompt carefully, and make sure you clearly understand what is being asked before drafting your response. Seek clarification if needed.
• Unsupported claims or arguments: Back up your claims with solid evidence and credible sources. Avoid makingassertions without sufficient justification or analysis.
• Overly complex language or jargon: Write in a clear and concise manner, using language that is accessible to your readers. Be mindful of using overly technical terms or legal jargon without explanation.
• Plagiarism: Always provide proper citation and referencing for all sources used. Take the necessary steps to ensure your work is original and does not plagiarize from other sources.
• Inadequate proofreading: Thoroughly proofread and edit your essay to correct grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and clumsy phrasing. Additionally, make sure your citations and references are accurate and formatted correctly.

By avoiding these common mistakes and adhering to the aforementioned guidelines andwriting techniques, you will significantly improve the quality of your law essay and increase your chances of achieving a high grade. Remember that practice makes perfect, and continually refining your skills in legal writing and analysis will contribute to your overall success in your academic and professional pursuits. So, stay committed, diligent, and focused on producing well-reasoned and coherent essays that demonstrate your understanding and mastery of legal principles and concepts. 

Happy writing!

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• Sep 7, 2015

Writing Convincing Assignments: Critical Analysis Checklist

Whether it’s a problem solving question or an essay, when it comes to law school assignments the real marks, the ones that take you from a credit to a distinction or a high distinction, are all in the critical analysis.

Follow our critical analysis checklist and write a convincing assignment every time…

What is the question asking? Consider what the boundaries of the question are and whether there is more than one possible approach. Also consider whether the question makes any assumptions and whether these are valid.

What do I want to say/prove? What points will I need to prove in order to get my argument across?

What examples do I need to include? Don’t exclude examples (particularly well-known ones) just because they don’t agree with your argument. Engage with the argument and show why your position is the correct one – it will create a stronger assignment.

Be careful not to simply regurgitate quotes or arguments; instead relate them back to the point you’re trying to make. When it comes to problem solving questions, it’s tempting to explain everything that happened in your example cases. Only include the most relevant facts from cases in the body of your assignment.

Have I used the best examples?

Different sources will hold a different level of value to your argument. For example, anecdotal evidence is good, but statistical evidence of a trend is more persuasive.

If you’re working on a problem-solving question, it’s a similar story with cases: an authority from a higher court will likely hold more weight than a lower court or a decision from a court in a different jurisdiction.

What are the weaknesses of my examples? Where you can’t find stronger examples, acknowledge any shortcomings in your information, particularly where legislation or a judgment is new and untested. Your sources may have made assumptions on particular points, or examples from interstate and overseas may not apply to your jurisdiction in the same way.

Are there any ambiguities? This is an important one to address in problem solving questions. If the scenario is silent on certain points that could sway your conclusion, say what additional information you need and how it would influence the outcome.

Are there any exceptions? Consider whether there are any loopholes and if existing exceptions are appropriate.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of my arguments? Consider the weaknesses of your position and try to address them. Beware of common logical fallacies (flaws in reasoning) such as:

The strawman – distorting or simplifying an example so it is easier to discredit.

Attacking the author– focus on the point that’s being made, rather than the person who is making it. You’ll need to apply the best authority in a problem solving question, but when it comes to essays, don’t dismiss the decision of a lower court or a minority judgment based solely on where or who it came from.

The slippery slope– this is a popular one in assignments about law reform. For example, lowering the voting age to 15 won’t necessarily mean that we’ll soon be seeing toddlers voting in elections. It’s important to address the unintended consequences of a law, but only address the most likely outcomes.

Check out the Your Logical Fallacy Is website for more examples to help you write incredible critiques and win arguments.

Are my arguments clear? Ensure your language is clear and unambiguous. Big words look cool, but they rarely help to make arguments more convincing. When you’re trying to be persuasive, plain English is the way to go.

If an assignment is easy to follow, it’s likely to be more convincing. Make it clear when you’re moving onto a new point, and tie off your thinking at the end of a section so that it’s clear where you’re going. Headings and sub-headings can be useful for signposting the progression or your thinking.

What is the solution? Where there is more than one possible approach available, weigh up the evidence and explain why one is preferable to others.

If you’re writing an essay, your research may point to there being only one or two possible outcomes, but you may see an alternative answer – that’s okay, as long as you can back it up with relevant, persuasive examples. Interstate and overseas examples may be appropriate, but it depends on the assignment.

Does my conclusion make sense? Do your examples support your conclusions? Does the overall conclusion make sense in light of the points you’ve made along the way?

FROM THE ARCHIVES: This story was first published on Survive Law on 17 September 2012.

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How To Write Law Essay?

23 October, 2020

8 minutes read

Author:  Elizabeth Brown

If you are a law student, you have probably already faced the question of how to write an essay on this discipline. This is not an easy task because the requirements for a law essay often differ. In addition, you need to state your position and back it up with arguments clearly for others to understand. And to help you facilitate this process, we offer some preparation tips and tricks so that you could craft a decent work.

First things first, let’s discuss the legal essay scheme. It is rightly similar to the social science essay scheme. In both papers, it is necessary to explain a position on a particular issue or comment on a statement. For university law essay, especially in cases of specialties, it’s more complicated. There are several legal essay types :

• essay on quote explanation . Like in a school essay, the task here is to reveal the meaning of the expression and give a reasoned agreement or disagreement with it.
• essay on legal theory. The essence of this task is to describe one of the theories of law or any jurisprudence. This can be anything – for example, the theory that touches the Fifth Amendment.
• jurisprudence essay. In this assignment, you should review a specific case study or analyze the given document. Here, it’s important to adhere to special structure: first read the case, comprehend it, and only then give a critical account of this or that piece.

Law Essay Outline

The outline is one of the essential parts of law essay writing. At the point of creating it, you should jot down the structure of the main argument for each and every statement you deem appropriate for a text. This way, it’ll be much easier for you to organize the legal paper and facilitate its readability . 

For example, if you need to comment on the quotation, it’s better to start an essay with brief information about the author. Then, consider the meaning of the citation in the context of his time and compare it to current conditions, as well as note whether you agree with the statement or not. Remember – the main task is to have a solid opinion in which you’re 100% confident. If not, switch the quote.

In the essay on legal theory, state the history of the issue, highlight the advantages and disadvantages of the case you are analyzing. Try to draw a parallel with the present, to indicate how relevant it is now for contemporary law students.

While reviewing a specific legal case or document, you should not be distracted by elements irrelevant or unrelated to the subject and give descriptions of similar situations. Consistently assess the actions of subjects or conduct an in-depth analysis of the provided regulation.

Write all of the crucial points in a short plan and shorten the above information into a couple of sentences. Afterward, you’ll be ready to use the crafted outline and write a law essay according to its key points . 

Law Essay Structure

1. Introduction

Like any other type of writing, law essays start with introduction. A successful lead in is the one that captures attention instantly and forces readers to become interested in the law topic. In the beginning, you’ll need to clearly and precisely formulate a thesis statement of the entire piece, which you will then reveal in the following text. A great way to elaborate mediocre introduction with engaging filling is to state a concrete problem, controversy or issue that needs to be resolved.  

2. Main part

This is the main element of the whole legal essay. It should contain an analysis of the quotation, legal theory, specific case, or document. Plus, your opinions about this or that aspect should be argued: for example, by references to other papers or practices. Another beneficial way to develop the main body of your essay is to use specific examples from law classes, including activities and important discussions , if applicable. Also, don’t forget that your law essay should always follow the thesis and develop it throughout the legal paper. This is a critical point to consider, as any departure from the established scheme will distort your work’s content.

3. Conclusion

Your finishing remarks should formulate the outcome of what was written above. A reasonable conclusion should be brief and powerful , as well as connected to the introduction. Besides, a good ending should contain a thesis of the whole law essay. However, don’t try to repeat your thesis word by word. Consider rephrasing it instead of mentioning the same statements so that the information is more easily digested for readers. Plus, you’ll need to provide a critical analysis of your work. For this, explain why your main argument backed up by primary and secondary sources is the highest point of conviction. Hence, your readers will see explicit reasoning and be more inclined to believe the truth you outlined in the paper. 

4. Bibliography

A bibliography is a mandatory part of the work, and also the last one. At the end of your essay, you should list the documents (laws and other regulations) and books that were used in preparation for the article. Works cited page will help you validate the credibility of work and show readers that all statements and opinions are proven with relevant evidence. However, it doesn’t mean that your bibliography ought to be inserted just after you’ve written the entire text. To have a better vision of what source to pick for citing, include the list of used materials before writing the final version of your law essay. Accordingly, you’ll see sources in their entirety and easily cite them whenever needed. 

The sayings of influential and famous people imbue any work with an air of authority . This is especially true for essays on law: professors appreciate it when students reinforce their considerations with the opinion of leaders and experts in their field.

Quotes for an essay on law are quite easy to find on the Internet or specialized digests.

If you choose to close the paper with a quote, it’ll be a great hook which will keep readers impressed by the essay long after they digest it. But feel free to add meaningful sayings also in the introduction or in the middle of a paper. Either way, quotes are a tool that helps make your reading highly impactful and appreciated.  

These were the top advice on how to create a distinct law paper. We hope our advice will help you prepare an interesting and informative essay for college or university studies that’ll be graded with the highest mark. Once you manage to operate on the subtle art of legal essay writing, you’ll adjust to the complexities of its realization without difficulties. If you’re in doubt questioning your writing abilities, use custom essay writer service – we will create the best law essay tailored specifically for you.

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Guest Essay

I Thought the Bragg Case Against Trump Was a Legal Embarrassment. Now I Think It’s a Historic Mistake.

By Jed Handelsman Shugerman

Mr. Shugerman is a law professor at Boston University.

About a year ago, when Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, indicted former President Donald Trump, I was critical of the case and called it an embarrassment. I thought an array of legal problems would and should lead to long delays in federal courts.

After listening to Monday’s opening statement by prosecutors, I still think the Manhattan D.A. has made a historic mistake. Their vague allegation about “a criminal scheme to corrupt the 2016 presidential election” has me more concerned than ever about their unprecedented use of state law and their persistent avoidance of specifying an election crime or a valid theory of fraud.

To recap: Mr. Trump is accused in the case of falsifying business records. Those are misdemeanor charges. To elevate it to a criminal case, Mr. Bragg and his team have pointed to potential violations of federal election law and state tax fraud. They also cite state election law, but state statutory definitions of “public office” seem to limit those statutes to state and local races.

Both the misdemeanor and felony charges require that the defendant made the false record with “intent to defraud.” A year ago, I wondered how entirely internal business records (the daily ledger, pay stubs and invoices) could be the basis of any fraud if they are not shared with anyone outside the business. I suggested that the real fraud was Mr. Trump’s filing an (allegedly) false report to the Federal Election Commission, and only federal prosecutors had jurisdiction over that filing.

A recent conversation with Jeffrey Cohen, a friend, Boston College law professor and former prosecutor, made me think that the case could turn out to be more legitimate than I had originally thought. The reason has to do with those allegedly falsified business records: Most of them were entered in early 2017, generally before Mr. Trump filed his Federal Election Commission report that summer. Mr. Trump may have foreseen an investigation into his campaign, leading to its financial records. Mr. Trump may have falsely recorded these internal records before the F.E.C. filing as consciously part of the same fraud: to create a consistent paper trail and to hide intent to violate federal election laws, or defraud the F.E.C.

In short: It’s not the crime; it’s the cover-up.

Looking at the case in this way might address concerns about state jurisdiction. In this scenario, Mr. Trump arguably intended to deceive state investigators, too. State investigators could find these inconsistencies and alert federal agencies. Prosecutors could argue that New York State agencies have an interest in detecting conspiracies to defraud federal entities; they might also have a plausible answer to significant questions about whether New York State has jurisdiction or whether this stretch of a state business filing law is pre-empted by federal law.

However, this explanation is a novel interpretation with many significant legal problems. And none of the Manhattan D.A.’s filings or today’s opening statement even hint at this approach.

Instead of a theory of defrauding state regulators, Mr. Bragg has adopted a weak theory of “election interference,” and Justice Juan Merchan described the case , in his summary of it during jury selection, as an allegation of falsifying business records “to conceal an agreement with others to unlawfully influence the 2016 election.”

As a reality check, it is legal for a candidate to pay for a nondisclosure agreement. Hush money is unseemly, but it is legal. The election law scholar Richard Hasen rightly observed , “Calling it election interference actually cheapens the term and undermines the deadly serious charges in the real election interference cases.”

In Monday’s opening argument, the prosecutor Matthew Colangelo still evaded specifics about what was illegal about influencing an election, but then he claimed , “It was election fraud, pure and simple.” None of the relevant state or federal statutes refer to filing violations as fraud. Calling it “election fraud” is a legal and strategic mistake, exaggerating the case and setting up the jury with high expectations that the prosecutors cannot meet.

The most accurate description of this criminal case is a federal campaign finance filing violation. Without a federal violation (which the state election statute is tethered to), Mr. Bragg cannot upgrade the misdemeanor counts into felonies. Moreover, it is unclear how this case would even fulfill the misdemeanor requirement of “intent to defraud” without the federal crime.

In stretching jurisdiction and trying a federal crime in state court, the Manhattan D.A. is now pushing untested legal interpretations and applications. I see three red flags raising concerns about selective prosecution upon appeal.

First, I could find no previous case of any state prosecutor relying on the Federal Election Campaign Act either as a direct crime or a predicate crime. Whether state prosecutors have avoided doing so as a matter of law, norms or lack of expertise, this novel attempt is a sign of overreach.

Second, Mr. Trump’s lawyers argued that the New York statute requires that the predicate (underlying) crime must also be a New York crime, not a crime in another jurisdiction. The Manhattan D.A. responded with judicial precedents only about other criminal statutes, not the statute in this case. In the end, they could not cite a single judicial interpretation of this particular statute supporting their use of the statute (a plea deal and a single jury instruction do not count).

Third, no New York precedent has allowed an interpretation of defrauding the general public. Legal experts have noted that such a broad “election interference” theory is unprecedented, and a conviction based on it may not survive a state appeal.

Mr. Trump’s legal team also undercut itself for its decisions in the past year: His lawyers essentially put all of their eggs in the meritless basket of seeking to move the trial to federal court, instead of seeking a federal injunction to stop the trial entirely. If they had raised the issues of selective or vindictive prosecution and a mix of jurisdictional, pre-emption and constitutional claims, they could have delayed the trial past Election Day, even if they lost at each federal stage.

Another reason a federal crime has wound up in state court is that President Biden’s Justice Department bent over backward not to reopen this valid case or appoint a special counsel. Mr. Trump has tried to blame Mr. Biden for this prosecution as the real “election interference.” The Biden administration’s extra restraint belies this allegation and deserves more credit.

Eight years after the alleged crime itself, it is reasonable to ask if this is more about Manhattan politics than New York law. This case should serve as a cautionary tale about broader prosecutorial abuses in America — and promote bipartisan reforms of our partisan prosecutorial system.

Nevertheless, prosecutors should have some latitude to develop their case during trial, and maybe they will be more careful and precise about the underlying crime, fraud and the jurisdictional questions. Mr. Trump has received sufficient notice of the charges, and he can raise his arguments on appeal. One important principle of “ our Federalism ,” in the Supreme Court’s terms, is abstention , that federal courts should generally allow state trials to proceed first and wait to hear challenges later.

This case is still an embarrassment of prosecutorial ethics and apparent selective prosecution. Nevertheless, each side should have its day in court. If convicted, Mr. Trump can fight many other days — and perhaps win — in appellate courts. But if Monday’s opening is a preview of exaggerated allegations, imprecise legal theories and persistently unaddressed problems, the prosecutors might not win a conviction at all.

Jed Handelsman Shugerman (@jedshug) is a law professor at Boston University.

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