Aim for an Engaging Style in Your Spring Advocacy Briefs

Dear 1L,

Last year, you had to write a personal statement to persuade a law school to admit you.

You may have been told to aspire for an essay that would be “a pleasure to read.”

If so, you got some very good advice.

♦️ Now, try to use a similar style in the brief you’re writing

— And before you get all up in arms or tell me I’m crazy . . .

♦️ No, of course I don’t mean that you should start using “I” or “me” i
your brief.

♦️ You’ll also have to cut out or significantly tone down your use of adverbs
adjectives, and any other emotionally-charged words or phrases that you might have
relied on to show enthusiasm before.

But overall, your style goal should be the same: to ENGAGE your Reader and
provide an enjoyable reading experience.

So call upon that excitement and zest from your law school essay & inject it into
your brief. Remember, someone does actually have to read the thing.

Fondly,
💌 Amanda

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