SURVIVING 1L Part I: Class

Today’s Topics Phi Alpha Delta is Righteously Awesome Phi Alpha Delta is Righteously Awesome Class Prep Class Prep Reading Reading Case Briefing Case Briefing In Class In Class Note Taking Note Taking K.I.T. – “Keep it together” K.I.T. – “Keep it together” After Class Review After Class Review

What’s Not on the Menu Outlining Outlining Exam Taking Exam Taking Don’t worry about these until mid-October Don’t worry about these until mid-October

PHI ALPHA DELTA A. H. Stephens Chapter

P.A.D. Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International A. H. Stephens Chapter A. H. Stephens Chapter or Key Point: Join in time for September initiation for cheaper dues Key Point: Join in time for September initiation for cheaper dues

Part I: Class Prep “WTF is this case about!?!?”

Class Prep – Reading Read your cases twice Read your cases twice First, a thorough read making notes, highlighting, and defining unfamiliar words First, a thorough read making notes, highlighting, and defining unfamiliar words Like you did for LSAT Reading Comprehension Like you did for LSAT Reading Comprehension Second, a quicker read analyzing why this case is included. Ask, “what does this add to the law?” (It adds something or it wouldn’t be in the Casebook) Second, a quicker read analyzing why this case is included. Ask, “what does this add to the law?” (It adds something or it wouldn’t be in the Casebook) Context matters: Where is this in the Table of Contents? When was it decided? Where? Context matters: Where is this in the Table of Contents? When was it decided? Where? Westlaw/Lexisnexis briefs/headnotes as a guide Westlaw/Lexisnexis briefs/headnotes as a guide What are the key arguments? What’s at stake? What are the key arguments? What’s at stake? What result had the case gone the other way? What result had the case gone the other way? Key Point: don’t just read, but THINK about what you’re reading. Key Point: don’t just read, but THINK about what you’re reading.

Class Prep – Briefing Typical Brief Format Typical Brief Format Facts/Procedural Posture Facts/Procedural Posture Issue Issue Analysis/Discussion Analysis/Discussion Holding Holding Definitions of Unknown Terms, Any Arguments of Note, Other Info Definitions of Unknown Terms, Any Arguments of Note, Other Info Most opinions are not so neat and tidy Most opinions are not so neat and tidy Many opinions you’ll read are NOT good examples of legal writing Many opinions you’ll read are NOT good examples of legal writing E.g. Key facts may be hidden in the analysis; the issue and holding may be narrower than at first seems E.g. Key facts may be hidden in the analysis; the issue and holding may be narrower than at first seems

Class Prep – Briefing Tailor your brief to the prof Tailor your brief to the prof Different profs like to focus on different things; some love facts, some love procedural posture, some love policy arguments, etc. Different profs like to focus on different things; some love facts, some love procedural posture, some love policy arguments, etc. Key Point: You aren’t just briefing to prep for class; you are briefing to better understand what you’re reading Key Point: You aren’t just briefing to prep for class; you are briefing to better understand what you’re reading As 2Ls, you’ll be good enough at reading to book brief, but you aren’t there yet. As 2Ls, you’ll be good enough at reading to book brief, but you aren’t there yet.

Part II: Class “Om Namah Shivaya, Om Namah Shivaya, Om Namah Shivaya”

Class – K.I.T. K.I.T. = Keep It Together K.I.T. = Keep It Together “Keep it together” means don’t lose your shit over being called on in class “Keep it together” means don’t lose your shit over being called on in class You are in your third week of law school; your professor writes books on it. i.e. you will not know the answers to all their questions! You are in your third week of law school; your professor writes books on it. i.e. you will not know the answers to all their questions! You are not graded on how well you answered a question in class! You are not graded on how well you answered a question in class! Don’t take anything personal. Don’t take anything personal. Be objective Be objective There are 2 sides to every case you’ll read, so always be detached from the subject matter There are 2 sides to every case you’ll read, so always be detached from the subject matter Key point: Chill out about class. Key point: Chill out about class.

Class - Note Taking Everyone does them differently Everyone does them differently Some people dictate word for word Some people dictate word for word Others listen and synthesize where the professor is heading and what arguments the professor is attempting to draw out of the students Others listen and synthesize where the professor is heading and what arguments the professor is attempting to draw out of the students Make them comprehensible Make them comprehensible You will be reading these again months from now. You will be reading these again months from now.

Class – Note Taking There ARE a few MUSTS: There ARE a few MUSTS: Write down hypotheticals given by the professor during class. These are exam question clues Write down hypotheticals given by the professor during class. These are exam question clues Note in your book margins and in your notes when the professor concentrates on a specific passage of the case or the notes after the cases. Note in your book margins and in your notes when the professor concentrates on a specific passage of the case or the notes after the cases. Don’t just cite the page, but also the paragraph and sentence Don’t just cite the page, but also the paragraph and sentence

Note Taking Good Format for the Beginning: Good Format for the Beginning: Q. Question that Professor is asking Q. Question that Professor is asking Try to pick out what the professor is working towards, what arguments he is trying to make, themes he is emphasizing Try to pick out what the professor is working towards, what arguments he is trying to make, themes he is emphasizing A. Student Response or Answer A. Student Response or Answer A. Prof’s Polished Answer A. Prof’s Polished Answer Key Point: The Prof (usually) isn’t wasting his breath, so pay attention to those hypos Key Point: The Prof (usually) isn’t wasting his breath, so pay attention to those hypos

Part III: After Class “I’m supposed to read this again???”

After Class Review Review your notes after class (the sooner the better) Review your notes after class (the sooner the better) Make sure you understand what you have written down Make sure you understand what you have written down Fill in any gaps; Attempt to pick out key concepts, ideas, themes; Clarify any areas of confusion Fill in any gaps; Attempt to pick out key concepts, ideas, themes; Clarify any areas of confusion Reread the important parts of the case Reread the important parts of the case Just like with your notes, make sure you understand what your teacher cited in class and why Just like with your notes, make sure you understand what your teacher cited in class and why

After Class Review Don’t leave questions unanswered Don’t leave questions unanswered First, try to figure it out yourself First, try to figure it out yourself Then, ask your classmates Then, ask your classmates Then, ask your TA Then, ask your TA Then, ask your prof Then, ask your prof Profs are busy people. While you shouldn’t be afraid to approach them after class or during office hours, you should try to figure it out yourself first. Profs are busy people. While you shouldn’t be afraid to approach them after class or during office hours, you should try to figure it out yourself first. Key Point: Yes, you really do need to review after class Key Point: Yes, you really do need to review after class If you only remember one thing this morning, remember this! If you only remember one thing this morning, remember this!

Key Points Join PAD before dues go up Join PAD before dues go up Think while you read Think while you read Briefs: just do it Briefs: just do it Don’t overstress about class Don’t overstress about class Take good notes Take good notes Review notes/case after class Review notes/case after class

Parting Shot PAD will have sessions on outlining and exam taking in October and November, but only for PAD Members