Legal Writing (Law 114) SYLLABUS

The purpose of this course is to develop a contemporary writing style for Louisian
Law students that can be easily understood by ordinary readers. By the end of
this course, and with the use of their acquired knowledge and skills from theories
and exercises, students are expected to communicate their legal analyses, better
and clearer.

Main References:

Garner, Bryan A., Legal Writing in Plain English, 2nd ed. (2013).
Wydick, Richard C., Plain English for Lawyers, (2005).

Recommended Readings:

Manual of Judicial Writing, Philippine Supreme Court of the Philippines (2005).

Goldstein, Tom, and Lieberman, Jethro K., The Lawyer’s Guide to Writing Well,
(2002).
Stark, Steven D., Writing to Win: The Legal Writer, (2012).
Smith, Daniel U., Persuasive Legal Writing, (2009).
Ombudsman Stylebook

Course Outline

I – Legal Writing: An Overview

A. Informative Writing
B. Persuasive Writing
 Legal Analysis
 Completed Staff Work
C. Functional Writing
 Legal Drafting

II – Trends in Legal Draftmanship

A. Coherence
B. Clarity
C. Correctness
D. Conciseness

III. Reiterating the Basics

A. Subject-Verb Agreement
B. Misused and Confusable Words
C. Punctuation and Symbols
D. Use of Capitals, Italics, Numbers, Date and Time, Abbreviation,
Quotations and Citations

IV. Principles for Analytical and Persuasive Writing

A. The IRAC Method

B. Objective and Persuasive Legal Analysis

V. Legal Bibliography
Absences and Tardiness:

This class is scheduled to every Saturday for two hours. Attendance will be
checked every meeting, to record Tardiness and Absences. Exceeding the
allowable absences will be subject to sanctions provided under the SLU Student
Handbook.

Index cards will be distributed on the first day. Write your complete names,
student number, undergraduate course, email address, and your class schedule.
Indicate your nicknames if you want to be addressed by them. Provide a table
and indicate the months of the semester.

Written Exercises and Examinations:

Grades will be computed based on written exercises and examinations. Two

major examinations – Midterms and Finals – will be given during the semester.
Written exercises and diagnostic tests may be given before, during, or after the
topics in the course outline

Lectures will be delivered through powerpoint and audio-video presentations.

Any clarification on the lesson may be raised at anytime during the lecture.

Course Requirements:

1. Completion of exercises and major examinations (Midterms and Finals)

2. Submission of written outputs for both Midterm (Case Summaries with
Notes and Comments) and Finals (Legal Opinion/Research
Memorandum)

Use of Gadgets:

The use of gadgets like mobile phones and tablets are strictly prohibited while
lecture is ongoing, except when expressly authorized by the professor.

Consultations and Clarifications:

Consultation and clarification of previous, present, and future topics are

welcome. The best way to communicate with me is through my email, as
indicated below.

BY:

Jorge S. Manaois Jr., BA, LL.B., MM, LL.M.

Senior Counsel, Luzon Central Legal Department, Social Security System
Former Legal Department Manager, John Hay Management Corporation
Former Assistant Regional Prosecutor, Region I, Department of Justice
Former Special Prosecution Officer, Office of the Ombudsman for Military

Email: jorgeus88@gmail.com