Crafting Logical Legal Analysis and Organization
The strength of your legal analysis and document organization directly impacts the persuasiveness of arguments.
Legal Analysis Tips
- Apply the law precisely - Accurately explain how statutes and case law govern the facts.
- Analogize and distinguish - Compare facts to favourable precedent. Distinguish unfavourable precedent.
- Highlight policy considerations - Discuss wider public policy implications and legislative intent.
- Address counterarguments - Raise and refute likely opposing arguments.
- Emphasize key themes - Repeat crucial terms, phrases and themes throughout the analysis.
- Use headings judiciously - Headings organize complex analysis into digestible segments.
- Define terms - Define legal terms and acronyms on first use.
- Cite sources meticulously - Cite statutes, cases, and articles to substantiate the analysis.
Organization Principles
- Use IRAC structure - Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion provides logical flow.
- Funnel information - Move from a broad introduction to specific analysis to summary conclusions.
- Group-related arguments - Link related discussions in sections using headings and transitions.
- Use point-first paragraphs - Begin paragraphs with topic sentences stating key points.
- Weave in facts chronologically - Integrate facts seamlessly rather than in isolated chunks.
