Last Minute Advice on Essays

There is less than a week before the bar, so I thought I'd share a few brief tips on essays.  There are certain mistakes that all of my students tend to make, and it matters not what state you are in!

The point of the bar, besides torturing you and taking away your summer or winter, is to test whether you can be a lawyer. Not whether you know the law, that is what your Juris Doctorate signifies.  So how does one prove that you are capable of practicing law? 

First, issue spotting. The bar overseers want to ensure that when a client comes to you, telling you about their no good very bad day, you don't skip over some of their problems. Your first job as a lawyer is to identify the claims, or legal problems, since your clients aren't going to do it for you.

Next, lawyers analyze. Or, if you listen to lawyer jokes, we argue.  Yes, you need a conclusion, but it's not the most important part of your essay.  Focus less on the conclusion, and more on how you get there. Look at it as a "it's the journey not the destination" type of cliché!  In addition, remember that we all have a different perspective, and we all might view facts differently, so explaining how you get to a certain conclusion is going to help you gain points. It also shows the examiners that you can advocate for a certain point of view, which is what they are looking for.

Last, don't be afraid to write simply and use plain language. This isn't a law review article, and you're not going to win a Pulitzer. Ditch the flowery and overly verbose language. Think "how can I get my point across and move on", especially since the graders are reading your essay VERY quickly. You want your essay to be easy to read, because that makes them happier! It also makes things easier on you. It's ok to be repetitive, or to use a formula. I can assure you that if an English teacher would be horrified by your writing, you are likely on the right track!

Most importantly, this weekend do something  relaxing and nice for yourself. The bar exam is not something you cram for. You need to be well rested, both physically and mentally, for this marathon of an exam.  Get some sleep, clear your head, eat well......and then go kick butt!