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Summary: Learn how to write a strong essay for your application to law school.
Putting together a strong law school application takes time and great effort. Turning in a quickly assembled application will be evident to the law school, ruining your chances of getting into a top law school. Often, the most difficult part of the application is writing the essay.
A strong law school essay is persuasive and sharp with a powerful statement. Finding a way to make your essay come across as these things can’t be done in one short session on your computer. You first must grasp a fundamental understanding of what should be in the essay, the context to write it in, and an art of expressing your argument in a readable essay. This is done through many rough drafts and edits.
Your essay must have a title. Some pick a title that expresses the idea they are trying to convey in the essay so that their point is straightforward. Others go with a title that adds some “flare” to their essay instead just facts.
The essay begins with an introduction to your topic. You need the introduction to be good so that the foundation of the essay is clear by addressing some of the points you will elaborate on later. The introduction should be straight to the point about what you are arguing for or against while making the mindset of your point clear for the reader to soak up.
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In the body of the essay, you need to make your points arguing your case clear to the reader. Establish the points you brought up in the introduction and elaborate on them more. Each point can be a subheading where you provide more detail on it. Organizing your essay this way will help the reader quickly understand your core arguments. You should be able to create a smooth structure, letting your points flow from one to another without much effort. A connection between the points, adding up to your argument, should be felt by the reader as they read your essay.
Remember that those reading your essay are legal experts and have plenty of experience that will allow them to understand the argument you present in your essay. Be careful to not present yourself as someone other than yourself. Keep your “language simple, brief, interesting and honest,” as the August Free Press states.
The conclusion of your essay is just as important as the rest of your essay. Reintroduce your primary point and summarize the subheading points as a way of restating the facts. This will also refresh the reader’s memory of your points. The conclusion is short so don’t assume you will convince anyone of your point with just the conclusion. The conclusion is the place to remind the reader of your argument, wrapping up what you want them to get out of the essay.
Did you struggle to write your essay? What was the hardest part of your application? Share your experience with us in the comments below.
To learn more about law school applications, read these articles:
- Law School Application Advice from Recent Graduates
- Law School Applicants Need to Seek Out Mentors
- Two Law Grads Denied Georgia Bar Exam for Not Being Truthful on Their Law School Applications
Photo: flickr.com
