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Sub: Cool essay writing method
Author: Box [21307]
05 Jun 2009 08:13 PM
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Box

Anyone has one? Please share. Tell us how you organised your essays and passed?

11518
Author: Brian Moquin [35] Send Private Message
05 Jun 2009 08:45 PM
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Brian Moquin

I teach one through LawPrism, which was developed as a result of hundreds of hours of reverse-engineering of all past California Bar Exams since 1975.  I believe it's the simplest, most thorough approach possible.

The basic steps are to spend enough time up front thinking through the hypo so that you spot all the issues.  You then use what you've learned via our Essay Frameworks in terms of what issues need to be discussed together and lay out the elements, then extract and use all the facts.  Finally, you reduce the outline to the finished essay.  It's pretty straightforward but it does require practice -- especially the issue spotting. 

In addition to presenting a thorough review of each area of substantive law, each of my workshops provides live, interactive demonstrations through the Internet of using the approach in practice, taking a question and going through the entire process from scratch to yield a passing essay.  Attendees have found this interactive exposure, seeing an actual essay being written from scratch using the techique, to be very valuable.

Brian P. Moquin, Esq.
LawPrism.com
615.871.4740
615.305.8585

15011
Author: Curious [21307]
05 Jun 2009 09:14 PM
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Curious

I would like to ask brian of lawprism if his method is so "cool", why no testimonials on his website of those who actually passed.

15012
Author: passed cal feb 3rd try [21307]
05 Jun 2009 10:05 PM
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passed cal feb 3rd try

so first read through of the fact pattern: identify all issues.  just make type up a list in your answer.

Then strict IRAC each issue.  break up the i r a c into separate paragraphs, even if only one line for one or more of them-- make everything you do easy on the grader. take your list of issues, underline the first one, go to the next line vomit up your rule or scratch out one if they test you on something weird, go to the next line, hack out an analysis for each element of your rule typing in rule is met by facts using "because" to connect the law + facts or otherwise explaining why you think your rule + facts works.  then a one line conclusion therefore rule is met / not met.

repeat for each issue you listed.

do not write anything that is not an issue or within the IRAC of the test.

JUST REMEMBER NO ONE CARES WHAT YOU THINK -- ALL THEY WANT ARE THE ISSUES!! ONE TWO THREE FOUR PASS! DUTY BREACH CAUSATION DAMAGES PASS! THE GRADER DOESNT READ WHAT YOU PUT DOWN THE ISSUES ON THE MODEL ANSWER!

15015
Author: Brian Moquin [35] Send Private Message
05 Jun 2009 10:42 PM
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Brian Moquin

That's a fair question.  My program was just introduced this year, and it is not a full bar prep (no MBE, yet).  In February I had very few students, and as it turns out none of them passed the exam.  However, the ones that I heard from dramatically improved their essay scores, by 5 to 10 points on each essay.  The majority of them have re-enrolled for the July bar prep.

I now also provide a PT approach, so soon I will be able to collect better stats.  In any event, your question is a good one.  Contact me if you want to hear directly from real attendees.

Brian

15020
Author: Brian Moquin [35] Send Private Message
06 Jun 2009 01:02 AM
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Brian Moquin

One other thing with respect to "cool":   although CalBar refuses to send back my essays and also refuses either to verify or deny my claim, my essay approach led to me having five of my essays and one of my Performance Tests published on the February 2008 CBX.  Answers 2B, 3B, 4A, 5A, and 6A, and PT-A Answer 1 were written by me -- a bold claim for sure, but one that dozens of people now find highly plausible because they've seen me write essays from scratch during my workshops.

I'm not in this business to get rich off of fearful, nervous, desperate students (I run a software development firm and also a law practice, which provide me with plenty of income); I'm in it because I enjoy teaching and because what I'm teaching, in my opinion, is unique, worthwhile, and highly effective.  Whence my charging only 5% to 10% of what everybody else charges, even though my program is of the highest quality.

I am not fond of self-promotion, so I only post here when I have something valuable to contribute.  The approach that I posted above works, and it's the most effective approach that I have seen, as evidenced at the very least by my own performance.

Regards,
Brian
LawPrism.com


15025
Author: caligirl. [21307]
06 Jun 2009 06:03 PM
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caligirl.

I highly recommend barbreaker series by Adachi.

It helped me pass second time round.


15036
Author: koreatown [21307]
06 Jun 2009 08:04 PM
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koreatown

I second.  The Bar Breaker and Bar Exam Survival Kit books by Adachi are superb.  The Bar Breaker book is basically BarBri's Essay Advantage, but at $100 for the price of $3000.

No brainers.  Also, get the flashcards.

All you need to pass the exam is the Conviser, the Adachi books, and doing lots of practice essays, PTs, and MBE questions.

15037
Author: akk [94] Send Private Message
09 Jun 2009 06:06 AM
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akk

HI

i am going to add my experience from the NY bar

In my first effort that i failed, i tried to be analytical and i spend all my time to give ALL THE RULES all the details and as a result i failed

In my second effort i timed myself and idid not spend more than 35 minutes in each essay

I put the issue then i put the rules briefly you know 1.2.3 then I tried to apply the facts and i add a conclusion

if i found one or more topics in the same essay i had more then 1 IRAC applied

I passed

Now i am trying for the CA bar


15104
Author: lawprof [15] Send Private Message
09 Jun 2009 07:25 PM
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lawprof

If you're in Georgia, I can help you out, but my method is covered in an 8-page
document, so I can't post it on here.

www.georgialawtutor.com
Ashley Scott Kane
www.georgialawtutor.com
Writing for Law School and Bar Exams
15130
Author: Sean [37] Send Private Message
09 Jun 2009 10:55 PM
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Sean

Forget cool, just be effective.  I think some people shy away from IRAC because they think it's too simple, or will come across as boring, or will not be original enough. Forget all that, and (at least in NY), IRAC every issue for every essay. 

--Sean
***I provide tutoring for the Multi-State Bar Exam in person in New York, and online through e-mail and Skype. I also assist with essay writing, specifically the state-specific portion of the New York Bar Exam. Please contact ssilver0210@hotmail.com if you have any questions at all, or for further information. References are available, and my prices are very reasonable.
15139
Author: jimmy [21307]
28 Jun 2009 07:05 AM
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jimmy

I agree.. I have passed bars in a couple of states Illinois and California... and I used IRAC on both.

A couple of hints:

1) Use the legal phrase or word in the issue. (this lets the test grader know that you know fast.

2) Many people memorize elements... I suggest you practice memorizing simple rule statements. You will get it out faster

3) In your analysis state the magic word if applicable early .. then use "BECAUSE"... then state the fact immediately after.

4) Practice how you attack each area of law... one great way is to quickly write down how you intend to attack each area on blank pieces of paper.

5) I love my MBE method. MBE are just mini-essays. In fact you can think of the Essay portion of the test as a bunch of MBEs tied together. Anyway... I like to practice by writing 8 to 12 lines answering the MBE. The test grader wants a brief answer and you don't have time to write a long essay.

Finally -- remember -- you just want to answer well enough to collect enough points on that portion of the test. Average is okay.

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Author: Sean [37] Send Private Message
28 Jun 2009 02:31 PM
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Sean

Forget  cool; you want effective.  Read released essays from prior exams, every single one was considered to be above-average.
***I provide tutoring for the Multi-State Bar Exam in person in New York, and online through e-mail and Skype. I also assist with essay writing, specifically the state-specific portion of the New York Bar Exam. Please contact ssilver0210@hotmail.com if you have any questions at all, or for further information. References are available, and my prices are very reasonable.
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