How to Write Better Law Essays: Tools and Techniques for Success in Assignments and Exams (Paperback)

This guide provides clear instructions on writing legal essays, exam answers and dissertations for undergraduate law, and CPE/GDL courses.  Throughout the book the author identifies key characteristics of both good and bad techniques in writing, allowing students to see practical examples of best practice.

“This book gives students an excellent introduction to expectations of assessments at undergraduate level. It is written by an experienced law tutor who knows not only what a good law essay is but also has a good grasp on what it is that students both want and need to know.”

—Nick Taylor, Senior Lecturer at the University of Leeds

“The text provides a useful step by step guide, not only on how students should be doing things, but why they should be doing things. As such it is a useful tool in demystifying legal education, and in bridging the gap between staff and student expectations and perceptions.”

—Charlotte Smith, Lecturer at the University of Reading

Do you want to improve your performance in your law assessments? 

Many students find the demands of undergraduate law coursework and exams daunting. To succeed, you need to write with great clarity and precision, to employ sound referencing and citation skills, to research and refer to a variety of primary and secondary sources and to be critical and analytical in your work. Furthermore, you will be expected to write with an air of legal professionalism and support your arguments with legal authority.

How to Write Better Law Essayshelps you tackle legal assignments with confidence to maximise your chances of achieving high grades. This book is your step-by-step guide to planning, writing and succeeding in all forms of law assessment.

Features

·         Covers the main types of legal assessment:

--Essays
--Problem questions
--Exam questions
--Extended essays and dissertations.

·         Gives practical examples of good and bad legal writing technique, highlighting good legal skills in action, and helping you to spot and avoid poor technique.

·         A dedicated Companion Website www.pearsoned.co.uk/foster includes practice exercises for each chapter and a ‘You be the Marker’ activity to help you hone your skills further 

The book will be invaluable to law students on undergraduate courses, joint law courses, professional courses such as CPE and ILEX, and those studying A-level and GSCE law. It can be referred to in conjunction with your study of (study) skills modules or independently throughout your law course. Postgraduate law students, will also find the text useful, particularly those whose first degree is not in law and who may need some assistance in preparing and writing law assessments. 

Steve Fosteris Principal Lecturer in Law at CoventryUniversity.

By the same author

Human Rights and Civil Liberties (ISBN 0-582-43833-0)