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Pass The Bar.Com Scott Pearce's Master Essay Method
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We are delighted to present a free Internet Edition of Mr. Pearce's well-known bar exam essay program. Vastly more elaborate editions of this program are available to our Tutorial students. You are welcome to study some or all of these lessons for your personal use. Remember that the most common mistake for a bar applicant to make is to study too much and not practice enough! Good luck on the barexamination. Instructions 1.
View or Download the PDF file
with the written materials for the Seminar you wish to work on.
Introduction Torts Contracts
Real Property Remedies Criminal Law & Procedure Constitutional Law Evidence
You must developthe skills needed to apply the law to specific facts present in each bar examination essay question, and to reach conclusions that make sense. Remember that many unsuccessful applicants don't practice enough. Other applicants fail the essay section of the bar because they practice reciting boilerplate definitions instead of sharpening their skills in outlining and analysis. It is not enough to know the law. Mr. Pearce comments about an experience he has every bar season:
Each of the MasterEssay Method programs focuses an applicant's attention on the most frequently tested issues.These programs teach applicants the most important skills involved in bar exam essay writing: issue spotting, outlining, and connecting the facts in the pattern with elements of the rules.
LEARNING HOW TO "USE THE FACTS" IS THE KEY TO WRITING GOOD ESSAYS! Here's a quick summary of the Master Essay Method: 1. READ THE CALL OF THE QUESTION FIRST This gives you a chance to identify what is at issue. You also should make as much of an outline as possible out of the call of the question. The goal is to be as well organized and thorough as possible, as fast as possible. 2. READ THE FACT PATTERN CAREFULLY Note issues in the margins next to each paragraph. Circle parties and key facts. Annotate the basic outline you made from the call of the question. Make a time line if there are several dates mentioned in the question. 3. CREATE A DETAILED OUTLINE Once you have spotted the issues, split them into elements. The elements of rules or of prima facia cases usually will provide a good structure for your answer. When necessary, one can use the basic structure of the subject being tested as a way to organize the answer.
4. WRITE A WELL-ORGANIZED, THOROUGH ANSWER Your analysis of the facts is worth more points than elaborate definitions! Don't write out extended definitions. Keep the definitions brief. Sometimes you can leave out the definitions altogether, and use the elements as headings for separate paragraphs in your answer. Nobody will think you don't know the law, and this technique will give you a chance to score points by connecting the facts to the correct elements of the analysis. Of course, if you have "found a home for the facts" with time to spare, you can afford to make your definitions more elaborate.
5. DON'T PANIC If you get a horrible question, don't lose your sanity and "choke." A question that's hard for you probably is hard for everybody. If you remain calm and rely on the basic techniques you'll practice for each subject, you'll be able to "fly by instruments" through the fog of a dreadful question and either pass the question or come close to passing. When you get a more straightforward question, these techniques will help insure that you pass it by a wide margin that will more than make up for any deficiencies in your performance on the hardest question.
CONCLUSION Bar Examination Essays test your ability to do legal analysis on specific fact patterns. They require complete, well organized answers. Practice is the only way to develop the skills you need. This is true in any jurisdiction. All of the Master Method programs are designed to provide you with guided practice. Contact Us! Fill out our on-line Form, Send us e-mail, Call toll-free (866) 449-EXAM |
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