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April 20, 2009
welcome
Welcome to bar preparation for the summer of 2009. Review the interviews and tips posted here for tips on how to prepare. Professor Schmitz will be here most of June and July.
If you are studying away, consult the blog regularly for tips.
If you would like a bar buddy, a recent grad who survived the exam process, with whom you can ask questions and share concerns, see Prof. Schmitz
Posted by sschmitz at 11:50 PM
Bar Buddy
If you would like to be paired up with a recent grad who can offer advice re bar study, let Prof. Schmitz know soon. Just send an e-mail to susanw@siu.edu (Susan Williams, secretary, who will assist us this summer) and tell her that you want one. We will get back to you soon with the name of a buddy.
Last summer, graduates found it very helpful to talk with someone (by phone, e-mail or in-person) who had just gone through the bar– about a schedule, a routine, how to use the materials, how to make the family understand, etc. These recent grads have volunteered to assist you.
WE have a list of recent grads ready and eager to assist. Just let us know that you are interested.
Posted by dmurley at 11:26 PM
bar exam essay writing tips
BAR ESSAY EXAM WRITING TIPS
By Suzanne Schmitz
here are some tips for essay writing for the b ar.
1. On Day 1, you will have three essays written and graded in IL in the am, then an MPT, and then six essays written by NCBE but graded in IL in the pm. You will not go wrong by using IL law. In MO, you will have four essays in the am, the MPT, and then six more and MO tends to mix up MEE and MO questions. You will not go wrong by using MO law. The MO questions often require short answers where CIRAC may not work.
2. A well-organized answer is better than one that is not. Also, you need to use some judgment to determine the value of one part of the question over another.
3. Seldom will you address the same law twice. Read all parts of the call of the question before starting to write so that you know what law to use where. Also if you are needing the same law again, it is OK to refer to above, and not re-write the law.
4. For the exam, use non-erasable blue or black ink pens that do not smear. Avoid abbreviations other than P and D (HDC OK) and if making an error, put one line through it. Anything you write in the margins will not be read. Label each part – a, b, c or 1, 2, 3. The graders hate arrows. You have one answer book per question and only one. So plan ahead. I am giving you 2 exam “books” - make your own copies and use this for practice so that you stay within the limits. For typists, the character limit is _____ .
5. Take each question in order, giving it 30 minutes. Do not read all the questions first - you will just worry about them. Be sure you coordinate answer books with question books. The MEE (afternoon) essay and answer booklets are color coded and numbered.
6. For each question, use ten minutes to read and organize and 20 minutes to write. Read the call of the question first, all of the call, then the facts. Organize as below. Then skim the call and facts to be sure you are on target. Only then begin to write.
7. You may organize in the question book, not the answer book. A quick mode of organizing is this, using Equity #24, part 3:
spec perf?
1. K Facts: A&D - K w/G
2. Conditions fulfilled G ready to pay?
3. Legal rem. Inadq. D not enough tiles special design, unique
4. Mutuality Ct can order either party
5. Enforcemt feasible Ct need only super. transfer of tiles
Box and deliver
6. No defenses none apparent
8. Most of the time, you must take a stand. Seldom will you argue both sides.
9. Write in CIRAC fashion, giving the C, I, R, A and C each a paragraph or more - this makes it easy for the grader.
Leave the first 2-4 lines blank for the conclusion.
State the Issue, using the call of the question - this keeps you on target.
State the rule that is relevant to the issue, not every rule you know.
Define terms in the rule that are at issue.
For each part of the rule, show how it is or is not met by using the facts in the problem. Skim the problem for all the facts that can be used to show how the rule has been or has not been met.
If necessary, use CIRAC, RAC, RAC, major C.
Adding policy where appropriate is nice but probably not needed.
Reach a conclusion and now write it at the top as well.
Be sure you are consistent. Do not disagree with yourself.
10. Incorporate reading essays into your review. Work from the highest numbered essay question backwards. The oldest questions are no longer typical. As part of your review, read 4-5 essay questions and spot the issues. See if you can recall the law; if not, review it. If so, move on. When finished reviewing, write out, with open book or notes, 1-2 essays per topic. A week later, try another one closed book. Open if needed. In July, write out another 1-2, closed book in 30 minutes. In July, outline another 3-4. Read at least ten questions and answers per topic.
11. Try to do a variety of issues - not all SMJ, but some SMJ, some PJ, some RJ and CE, etc. See my list so you can be sure to cover a variety.
12. It is a difficult balance to quit telling the grader everything you know with the danger of being too concise. The only sure way is practice; bring answers to one of us to review. We have seen model answers and have a sense of what is wanted.
13. Prepare for the endurance of writing or typing ten essays in one day. Just as BarBri simulates the multiple choice portion, we will simulate the essay portion, using three Illinois (Three Mo for Mo takers) essays, an MPT, and six national essays, on July 21, 9-4, in 202.
14. Bring essays you have written to Prof. Schmitz and she will give some to Prof. Basanta to read. Bring completed performance tests to Prof. Basanta or Robertson.
15. Timing tip for the exam: at the beginning of each exam period, set your watch to 12. You will then know that at 1:30 or at 3, the exam period is over.
Posted by Suzanne at 11:04 PM