Mastering Persuasive Legal Writing: Tips for Effective Memo Crafting

 
LEGAL WRITING
IN THE VIS MOOT,
PART II
 
Writing Persuasive Arguments: What to Look
for in a Memo.
Paper Structure
 
Each Issue will have an Argument Heading
This will be followed by Argument Subheadings and Sub-
subheadings
Argument Headings should state the conclusion of the
argument to follow.
Argument Structure: IRAC
 
Issue
State the conflict
 
Rule
State the principle governing the conflict
Comes from law, case law, rules, or authorities
 
Application
State what the rule means for your client
Apply the rule to the facts, and state the outcome
 
Conclusion
One sentence is usually enough
Paragraph Structure: Logic
 
Paragraphs should flow naturally into one another; one
idea should lead logically to the next.
Paragraphs should be at least 2-3 sentences long and
have three distinct parts:
Topic sentence
Supporting sentence[s]
Concluding sentence
 
Example:
 
Coaching a Vis team takes a lot of work, but the results are
very rewarding. It is a challenging job in the sense that you
must manage the team deadlines, and make sure that your
team members are meeting all of your expectations. But, it
is rewarding because, as the coach, you are able to
witness the team members transform and become more
persuasive lawyers as a result of your guidance. Watching
your team compete successfully in the international arena
is a feeling unlike any other. That feeling of pride and
accomplishment is one reason that all the hard work of
coaching is so worthwhile.
 
Example:
 
Coaching a Vis team takes a lot of work, but the results are
very rewarding. 
It is a challenging job in the sense that you
must manage the team deadlines, and make sure that your
team members are meeting all of your expectations. But, it
is rewarding because, as the coach, you are able to
witness the team members transform and become more
persuasive lawyers as a result of your guidance. Watching
your team compete successfully in the international arena
is a feeling unlike any other. 
That feeling of pride and
accomplishment is one reason that all the hard work of
coaching is so worthwhile.
Citations
 
Do not permit unsupported arguments.
Your team should cite:
Every time they state a fact, a rule, or a legal conclusion;
Every time they refer to an authority, a case, a law, or a rule.
Discourage citing multiple authorities for one argument
(string citation).
TIP: If you see an argument without supporting citations, it
probably means your team has not done enough
research.
 
Reviewing
 
When reading drafts:
Demand clear arguments – easy to understand, in good English.
Demand citations to authorities.
Do not accept excuses. If there is truly no authority to support your
team’s argument, then it is not a reasonable argument and should be
discarded.
Demand logical structuring.
Each argument should flow into the next, and build on the last.
Point out weaknesses.
Most importantly, do not rewrite the arguments for the team
members. You are there to check their work, not do it for them.
The Role of the Mentor
 
Submit drafts to the Mentor only after you have reviewed
it yourself.
Welcome Mentor comments and critiques, thank them for
their time, and pass their feedback along to the teams.
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Respect the Mentor’s time:
Adhere to any deadlines you agree to.
Provide sufficient time for review and comment.
 
Final Tips:
 
Review winning memos from the Vis website
Read the Problem as often as you can while your team
researches and writes the memo
Review the CISG and VIAC rules so you can spot
weaknesses in the arguments more easily
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Crafting a persuasive legal memo involves structuring your arguments with clear headings, following the IRAC method, maintaining logical paragraph structure, providing examples, and ensuring proper citations. By emphasizing argument clarity, structure, and support, you can elevate the impact of your legal writing.


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  1. LEGAL WRITING IN THE VIS MOOT, PART II Writing Persuasive Arguments: What to Look for in a Memo.

  2. Paper Structure Each Issue will have an Argument Heading This will be followed by Argument Subheadings and Sub- subheadings Argument Headings should state the conclusion of the argument to follow.

  3. Argument Structure: IRAC Issue State the conflict Rule State the principle governing the conflict Comes from law, case law, rules, or authorities Application State what the rule means for your client Apply the rule to the facts, and state the outcome Conclusion One sentence is usually enough

  4. Paragraph Structure: Logic Paragraphs should flow naturally into one another; one idea should lead logically to the next. Paragraphs should be at least 2-3 sentences long and have three distinct parts: Topic sentence Supporting sentence[s] Concluding sentence

  5. Example: Coaching a Vis team takes a lot of work, but the results are very rewarding. It is a challenging job in the sense that you must manage the team deadlines, and make sure that your team members are meeting all of your expectations. But, it is rewarding because, as the coach, you are able to witness the team members transform and become more persuasive lawyers as a result of your guidance. Watching your team compete successfully in the international arena is a feeling unlike any other. That feeling of pride and accomplishment is one reason that all the hard work of coaching is so worthwhile.

  6. Example: Coaching a Vis team takes a lot of work, but the results are very rewarding. It is a challenging job in the sense that you must manage the team deadlines, and make sure that your team members are meeting all of your expectations. But, it is rewarding because, as the coach, you are able to witness the team members transform and become more persuasive lawyers as a result of your guidance. Watching your team compete successfully in the international arena is a feeling unlike any other. That feeling of pride and accomplishment is one reason that all the hard work of coaching is so worthwhile.

  7. Citations Do not permit unsupported arguments. Your team should cite: Every time they state a fact, a rule, or a legal conclusion; Every time they refer to an authority, a case, a law, or a rule. Discourage citing multiple authorities for one argument (string citation). TIP: If you see an argument without supporting citations, it probably means your team has not done enough research.

  8. Reviewing When reading drafts: Demand clear arguments easy to understand, in good English. Demand citations to authorities. Do not accept excuses. If there is truly no authority to support your team s argument, then it is not a reasonable argument and should be discarded. Demand logical structuring. Each argument should flow into the next, and build on the last. Point out weaknesses. Most importantly, do not rewrite the arguments for the team members. You are there to check their work, not do it for them.

  9. The Role of the Mentor Submit drafts to the Mentor only after you have reviewed it yourself. Welcome Mentor comments and critiques, thank them for their time, and pass their feedback along to the teams. The Mentor may not write or rewrite portions of the arguments. They may only provide suggestions, based on their expertise as lawyers and writers. Respect the Mentor s time: Adhere to any deadlines you agree to. Provide sufficient time for review and comment.

  10. Final Tips: Review winning memos from the Vis website Read the Problem as often as you can while your team researches and writes the memo Review the CISG and VIAC rules so you can spot weaknesses in the arguments more easily

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