1. AEP Workshop for 1Ls March 2012

2.  Critical analysis and depth  Organized, clear writing  Careful editing

3.  Have a clear thesis.  Organize, explain, and support that thesis.  Save time for polishing.

4.  Have a clear thesis. ◦ Decide what you think about the case.  Does it expand, limit, or change the previous law? How?  Is it a good decision or a bad one? Why?  Does it suggest a future direction for this area of law?  Does it require correction or change?

5.  Have a clear thesis. ◦ Decide what you think about the case. ◦ State your thesis clearly in one sentence.  This case makes it virtually impossible to establish standing.  Because this claim is no longer viable, victims will have to sue under tort law theories instead.  To make recovery possible at all, courts will have to change the standard to “predominant cause” rather than “sole cause.”

6.  Have a clear thesis. ◦ Decide what you think about the case. ◦ State your thesis clearly in one sentence. ◦ Keep that sentence in front of you as you write.  Write it on an index card, and tape it to your computer.  Look at it before you write a section.  Compare all your content to that thesis to make sure the content is relevant.

7.  Have a clear thesis. ◦ Decide what you think about the case. ◦ State your thesis clearly in one sentence. ◦ Keep that thesis in front of you as you write. ◦ Modify the thesis as you write.  Replace extreme statements with supportable ones.

8.  Have a clear thesis. ◦ Decide what you think about the case. ◦ State your thesis clearly in one sentence. ◦ Keep that thesis in front of you as you write. ◦ Modify the thesis as you write.  Replace extreme statements with more supportable ones.  Narrow or broaden the statement as needed.

9.  Have a clear thesis. ◦ Decide what you think about the case. ◦ State your thesis clearly in one sentence. ◦ Keep that thesis in front of you as you write. ◦ Modify the thesis as you write.  Replace extreme statements with more supportable ones.  Narrow or broaden the statement as needed.  Change your mind, if necessary.

10.  Have a clear thesis.  Organize, explain, and support that thesis. ◦ Introduction ◦ Background ◦ Analysis ◦ Conclusion

11.  Have a clear thesis  Organize, explain, and support that thesis. ◦ Assume an unfamiliar reader. ◦ Explain and support your thesis.  Include information that answers your reader’s questions about the thesis.  Address counter-arguments.

12.  Have a clear thesis.  Organize, explain, and support that thesis. ◦ Assume an unfamiliar reader. ◦ Explain and support your thesis. ◦ Make your organization obvious.  Roadmaps  Thesis sentences  Transitions

13.  Have a clear thesis.  Organize, explain, and support that thesis.  Save time for polishing. ◦ Edit out surplus words. ◦ Read slowly and carefully for errors and style.  Use the Redbook or the Texas Manual on Style

14.  Have a clear thesis.  Organize, explain, and support that thesis.  Save time for polishing. ◦ Edit out surplus words. ◦ Read slowly and carefully for errors and style. ◦ Save more time for citation than you think you need.

15.  Have a clear thesis. ◦ Decide what you think about the case. ◦ State your thesis clearly in one sentence. ◦ Keep that thesis in front of you as you write. ◦ Modify the thesis as you write.  Organize, explain, and support that thesis. ◦ Assume an unfamiliar reader. ◦ Explain and support your thesis. ◦ Make your organization obvious.  Save time for polishing. ◦ Edit out surplus words. ◦ Read slowly and carefully for errors and style. ◦ Save more time for citation than you think you need.