In your experience , what do students find most rewarding about legal writing ?
What do they find most challenging ?
My students love the opportunity to begin “ practicing law .” Through the hypotheticals we analyze , my students get excited about their client , researching the law , and providing advice .
The challenges they face are attention to detail in drafting citations , remembering the importance of the hierarchy of authority , and following the CREAC structure ( Conclusion , Rule , Explanation , Analysis , Conclusion ).
It is such a privilege to teach them these new concepts and see their growth !
What is the most essential legal writing skill you hope students in your class carry with them into their legal careers ?
I hope they keep their prose tight with short sentences that deliver information efficiently .
Biggest pet peeve when it comes to legal writing ?
My biggest pet peeve is when writers fail to follow the CREAC structure . When used effectively , CREAC results in prose that almost sings as the reader is guided through the rules , explanations , and analyses .
SCOTT D . JENSEN
MEDIATION SERVICES All Civil Litigation Domestic Relations Matters
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CAMRUD , MADDOCK , OLSON , & LARSON , LTD . Attorneys at Law
401 DeMers Ave . Suite 500 • Grand Forks , ND 58201 Phone ( 701 ) 775-5595 • Fax ( 701 ) 772-3743 sjensen @ camrudlaw . com • www . camrudlaw . com
Now on to quick fire questions :
• One or two spaces after a period ? I love two , but I know it is out of style and am trying to reform my ways . I have read that in the early typewriter days , some typists were taught to insert a glorious THREE spaces after a period . Those days are long gone … sigh .
• The Oxford comma – yes or no ? I am an enthusiastic supporter , fan , and advocate of the beloved Oxford comma .
• Favorite punctuation mark ? Born in Venice , Italy , around 1500 , the semi-colon is my favorite , with its beautiful combination of period and comma ; I almost weep when I see it used to connect intimate ideas .
• Using contractions in briefs ? I don ’ t like that usage at all .
• Ending a sentence with a preposition ? Not a fan , but there are moments when it can work . Don ’ t overdo it .
• Use of emojis in professional communications ? They do not belong in formal legal writing , but I can see the effective use of an emoji in an email or text on occasion .
Please join us in extending a warm North Dakota welcome to Professor Kimberly Dasse !
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