Plugging away. Diligently.
Seriously ... I even have witnesses!
Briefly, I'll tell you what I'm working on. I have a tendency (Okay, I have a serious problem) with my analysis, as if you couldn't have guessed by now. My specific issue is that after I relate a fact to an element I don't stop there. I try to bolster my argument by adding reasons why a particular fact goes with a particular element. In doing so I reference facts that belong to other elements and I end up repeating myself later in the analysis. As a result, I waste time. My essay begins to look like one big narrative instead of a discrete series of points, even when I separate the issues into their component parts.
My task now is to write an answer using just the fact, or facts, that go with an element without being so brief that I end up simply stating a conclusion. I have to go backward quite a bit, then creep forward until I find the happy middle ground. It's been quite a challenge because I've been writing the wrong way for so long. But I'm making progress. And that's encouraging.
And, so, back at it, I am ...
Cheers, all!
6 comments:
GP,
How about doing your analysis the same way, but instead of repeating all the excess words and sentences, use the ever popular "see above" or "see below under [name of issue]."
Sounds like you are on the right track. We are rooting for you!
Have you checked the Tim Tyler's book Nailing the bar. Basically guiding yourself by using, Here, because, therefore. Always use because to make sure you are connecting the element to the fact.
Just curious, GP, and maybe a glutton for misery since I really do hate all things 'bar exam related' but . . . would you send me one of your essay questions - ideally something like wills, family law, guardianship, MAYBE agency but nothing transactional or business-related. No tax or real estate. You could post it to my old blog Texas Bar None (Where Fun Goes to Die).
For some reason I have a compulsion to try answering one - obviously my law would be different than your law - - - or maybe I would just make up some law (see my 2007 Oil & Gas Essay) to use while I try to craft an answer. I'm just curious how one of my answers would look different than what you say you are writing. Not that it would be any good, mind you ~ just am curious and would like the mental exercise. If you have an email here on your blog that I've overlooked, just call it to my attention and I'll shoot you my email address off-list and you could scan or direct me to a question to play with later this week. The old blog is full of undeleted spam comments but I'll find yours if you add it to the last post.
GP, stopping by to wish you Good Luck! Rest well and stay focussed on the fact(s) that goes/go with the elements that are at issue. All the very best in two and a half weeks!
to Law Daze...
SHUT UP!!!
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