How to achieve good grades for your essays: a guide

University courses Law
1

Writing essays is one of the main ways of being assessed in law school. Thus, learning how to write great essays is one of the most and crucial yet difficult tasks for law students. The guide below is good illustration of what to do in order to boost your chances of receiving a first-class grade (or may just be a starting point for you!).

1. Nature of the question: Determine whether you’re dealing with a problem scenario or an essay question. Problem scenarios involve analyzing relevant laws and cases, proposing actions, and justifying recommendations. Essay questions require thorough research and focused analysis.

2. Problem Questions

    1. Identify relevant laws and cases.
    1. Assess their applicability to the scenario.
    1. Develop proposals for action based on legal principles.
    1. Justify recommendations with legal reasoning.
    1. Evaluate the likelihood of success.
    1. Make a final recommendation.

3. Essay questions

    1. Research the topic thoroughly.
    1. Identify key concerns and topics.
    1. Consult with legal experts or tutors.
    1. Select 3-5 main topics to focus on.

4. Research

    1. Skim relevant textbooks for key laws and cases.
    1. Look for authoritative journal articles.
    1. Summarize main arguments and references.
    1. Assess academic perspectives on laws and cases.

5. Structuring

    1. Introduction: Provide background, debate, and essay overview.
    1. Main Body: Present arguments and authorities under each heading.
    1. Conclusion: Summarize main arguments and position.

6. Putting the text into the structure:

    1. INTRODUCTION: Set the stage with background and essay overview.
    1. MAIN BODY: Organize arguments under 3-5 headings, supported by legal principles and authorities.
    1. CONCLUSION: Recap main points and reinforce the argument.

7. Writing style

    1. Prepare a structured essay outline.
    1. Focus on the topic and avoid digressions.
    1. Seek feedback from tutors or legal experts.
    1. Revise and refine your essay for clarity and coherence.

8. Referencing

    1. Use OSCOLA referencing for footnotes and bibliography.
    1. Follow citation guidelines meticulously to ensure accuracy.
    1. Double-check all references before final submission.

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4 Likes
2

Totally get the struggle of nailing down that first-class grade :smiling_face_with_tear:

1 Like
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This is a great breakdown! Would have been extra helpful seeing this when I was in my First Year

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I do think that getting firsts on essays is extremely difficult. But once you gain understanding of differences beteween a good and excellent essay, it definitely gets easier to write amazing essays!