There’s a Right Way and a Wrong Way to Approach a Law-School Essay Exam

There’s a right way and a wrong way to approach a law-school essay exam.

Unfortunately, most 1Ls do it the wrong way.

They:

—read the question,
—try to figure out the answer, and
—write an essay to justify that answer.

Instead, the better way is to do this:

—read the question,
—write one side’s best arguments;
—write the other side’s best arguments; and
—explain why one side has the better arguments.

It is only AFTER you have explained why one side has the better arguments that you should—or even reasonably can—reach any conclusion at all in your mind.

I predict making this one change in approach can be the difference between an A and a B for you.

Try it out on a practice problem and let me know how you do!

And I’m sending major good-luck vibes to all of you.

💌 Amanda

#Dear1L