Writing Assignment/1

Due Date: Must be submitted through Canvas no later than February 21, 2020, at 11:59 p.m.

Syllabus:

Writing Assignment 1:

Three (3) Case Briefs: The case-briefing exercises require students to analyze published judicial opinions and then summarize the salient points of the case within a single page. We will go over how to write a case brief in class. The case briefs will be graded using the grading rubric posted on Canvas and will count towards 30% of the final grade in the course (4% for the first case brief; 6% for the second case brief; 10% for the third case brief).

Purpose: The purpose of reading in the practice of law is different from the purpose of reading in many other disciplines.  In law, you read not just to familiarize yourself with someone elses ideas, but to be able to use the information to formulate and answer additional questions.  This requires understanding judicial opinions.  Therefore, passively reading cases is not sufficient; you must deconstruct judicial opinions into different parts and state those components in your own words in an easily accessible format.  Case briefs reduce the volume of material and ensure understanding of the opinions for application in a new set of facts. 

Directions: Choose one of the cases from Part II: Table for Cases section of your textbook (page 453), and use the “Briefing Cases” article I provided you in class February 5, 2020, as a “How To” guide for your case brief (case name; facts; procedural history; issue(s); holding/decision; rule; rationale/reasoning; final disposition; and other opinions (dissent/concurrence).  Please keep in mind that while a case brief generally consists of similar topic headings, some professors/employers will have a preferred briefing format.  You are only required to follow this general format in this class. 

Formatting: One single-spaced page; 12-point font; Times New Roman font; one-inch margins; clear topic headings. 

Grading Rubric:

Class Book 

Constitutional Rights of Prisoners