Outline of the Course: Units and Components

Introductions and Sample Syllabus
Defining Justice
The Reading/Writing Connection
Fundamental Characteristics of Good Writing
- Understanding Key Terms and Essential Vocabulary
Identifying your Audience

Lloyd Bitzer and Introduction of “The Rhetorical Situation”
- Application of “The Rhetorical Situation” to historical events and modern day crises.
Richard Vatz and “The Myth of the Rhetorical Situation”
Writing Theory’s Connection to Legal Writing and Analysis
- Reading for teachers:
  - “Using Composition Theory and Scholarship To Teach Legal Writing More Effectively” by Nancy Soonpaa

Common terms and principles
- What is Legalese and How Do We Avoid It?
- Active Voice Only
When and Where Does Legal Writing Show Up Everyday
- Media
  - Opinion Editorials
  - News/Current Events
  - Commentary on Court Proceedings
- Tickets/Police Reports and Arrests
  - Case Law: Miranda v. Arizona (1966); right to counsel when indigent: Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
- Rental Agreements
- Employment Contracts
- Codes of Conduct and Position Statements

Before Law School: the LSAT
Key Documents and Common Issues:
- The U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights
- Constitutional Case Law
  - How to Read, Brief, and Cite a Case
  - Applied: Key Constitutional Case Law
    - Free Speech: Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969); Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969)
    - Fundamental Rights and Criminal Justice: Loving v. Virginia (1967)
    - Immigration (& education): Pyler v. Doe (1982)
Law School and Beyond
- Exams
- Law Review and other Academic Journals
  - Bluebook Citations
- The Bar Exam

Client Communications
- Intake Interview
- Engagement Letter
Trial Level
- Jury Selection
- Opening Statement
- Direct Examination
- Cross Examination
- Closing Argument
Appellate Level
- Opening Brief
- Oral Argument

Citations
- MLA (Writing Studies, etc.)
- APA (Social Sciences)
- Bluebook (Legal Writing)
A.I. Policies
- Defining Plagiarism

Writing in the Law