legal writing in tests & examinations study unit 6 elearning rpk 214
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LEGAL WRITING IN TESTS & EXAMINATIONS Study Unit 6 eLearning RPK 214. CURRENT EXAM SKILLS AT UFS. Severly underdeveloped Reading??????? No paragraphing No headings Poor language skills NO structuring skills Handwriting Lack of analytical skills - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
LEGAL WRITING IN TESTS &
EXAMINATIONSStudy Unit 6
eLearning RPK 214
CURRENT EXAM SKILLS AT UFS
Severly underdeveloped
Reading???????
No paragraphing
No headings
Poor language skills
NO structuring skills
Handwriting
Lack of analytical skills
Misunderstanding of question verbs
QUESTIONS
SHORT QUESTIONS
ESSAY TYPE
ESSAY TYPE QUESTIONS
1. INTERPRETING QUESTION
2. DEVISING ARGUMENT & STRUCTURING ANSWER
3. PRACTISING WRITING SKILLS
INTERPRETING THE QUESTION
ANSWER SPECIFIC QUESTION ASKED!
AVOID GENERAL ANSWERS
AVOID LENGHTY “INTRODUCTIONS / SETTING OF SCENES”
E.g. Why did South Africa not win the Soccer World Cup 2010?
AVOID LITERAL APPROACH IN “QUOTATION” QUESTIONS
“Until problems in the relationship between the South African Police Service and the British Prosecutorial Service are resolved, the British judiciary will be in a weak position to decided on Shrien Dewani’s extradition.” Discuss / Do you agree?
Underline key words / phrases (Careful!)
Identify questions regarding the gist of the statement- What is the relationship supposed to be?
- Is the weakness of the British judiciary to decide the extradition attributable to the problematic relationship?
- What is the British judiciary’s powers to decide on the extradition?
- How can the weaknesses be resolved?
AVOID LITERAL APPROACH IN “CRITICALLY EVALUATE” QUESTIONS
“Until problems in the relationship between the South African Police Service and the British Prosecutorial Service are resolved, the British judiciary will be in a weak position to decided on Shrien Dewani’s extradition.” Critically evaluate.
Assess success / appropriateness of specific area of law / institution
Explain what it is
ANSWER & ARGUMENT
GOOD STRUCTURED ANSWER = More likely to gain marks
STRUCTURE OF ANSWER = OFTEN DEPENDS ON QUESTION
DESCRIPTIVE ANSWERS REQUIRED
ARGUMENT REQUIRED
DESCRIPTIVE ANSWERS REQUIRED
Material GOOD, CLEAR, TIGHT FRAMEWORK
SUPPORT WITH RELEVANT AUTHORITY
No argument required
TECHNIQUES:
1. GENERAL RULE – General rule & exceptions
2. FIRAC
ARGUMENT REQUIRED
TRADITIONAL APPROACH:1. Put questions in context indicating 2 possible arguments2. Outline both arguments3. Make conclusion you favour
FAVOURED APPROACH:1. Pick a side / argument2. Support it with facts / authority3. Show why other argument is unpersuasive
DEPENDS ON WORDING OF THE QUESTION!
TECHNIQUES TO PRODUCE POLISHED ANSWER IN ESSAY
1. Explain steps you take to get to answer
2. Mention arguments contrasting your argument To ‘shoot it down’
3. Outline general principle; follow with example
4. Demonstrate your ability to make fine distinctions
5. Do not regurgitate the academics. Impose your own structure
6. Use legal language CORRECTLY
7. Employ impartial submissions
ADDITIONAL TIPS…
1) Clear, concise, engaging!
2) Consider audience & purpose!
3) SPELLING!
4) NO SMS LANGUAGE!
5) Paragraphs paragraphs paragraphs
6) Headings
7) Avoid repetition
8) Logical reasoning
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR
EXAMS!