What Can I Use As A Writing Sample? - Fixanswer

A memo or brief you prepared for lawyering seminar

can work well as a writing sample. Employers are looking for clear, effective legal writing and analysis. An objective interoffice memo or a persuasive brief are both acceptable vehicles for demonstrating your writing and analysis abilities.

Can I use a motion as a writing sample?

ACCEPTABLE WRITING SAMPLES:

Work product such as

legal memoranda

, briefs, or motions written for a legal clinic student, law clerk/intern, or judicial extern can also be used, only with permission and subject to the guidelines below.

What do you do if you don’t have a writing sample?

Follow the Guidelines. Be sure to read all the guidelines when an employer or graduate program asks you for a writing sample. …
Keep it Clear and Concise. …
Proofread.

What is a writing sample?

Writing samples are

simply good examples of your writing skills

. They are designed to ascertain whether you have the necessary writing and often research skills to complete required tasks of the position you seek. … On rare occasions the employer may request a specific kind of writing sample (e.g., a case study).

How long is a writing sample?

Many employers will specify the desired length of your writing sample. If no desired length is given, choose a writing sample that is

two to five pages long

. If you’d like to highlight a section of a longer paper, be sure to include your best two to five page selection.

Can a cover letter be a writing sample?

A cover letter should be

written fresh each time you apply for a job

. Tailor it specifically to the job posting, using keywords from that posting. By contrast, you may be able to use the same writing sample for several different job applications, as long as it is broadly applicable to the field.

What are examples of professional writing?

Examples of genres that might be called Professional Writing include

business letters, reviews and recommendations, feasibility studies, progress reports, and application materials

. Professional Writing commonly refers broadly to texts written for business purposes.

Should you redact a writing sample?

In particular, redact the client/parties’ names and any other key identifying items. It’s often

best to play it safe by using a brief, motion, or other writing that has been filed publicly

— if you don’t have to redact, the writing is likely to flow better.

What is an unedited writing sample?

Many employers will request an “unedited” writing sample. This means

that the work must be substantially your own and should not have been edited by another person

. You may personally edit any document, including one that was produced at a law-related job.

Should writing samples be in PDF?

When sending your writing sample you should

save the paper as a PDF

so the formatting does not change when it is sent.

What are law firms looking for in a writing sample?

Legal Reasoning—A writing sample must

demonstrate your legal reasoning and analytical skills

, i.e., apply law to facts, and distinguish cases on their facts. Thus, an academic survey of case law or a note that summarizes a recently published decision is not the best choice as it does not include legal analysis.

How do you write a legal writing sample?

Your writing sample should

be recent work product that is from your practice experience

. Be sure that it can be shared without disclosing confidential information. It is important that whichever sample you choose is wholly your own work, with minimal editing from partners or senior attorneys.

How is legal writing different from other forms of writing?

Legal writing places heavy reliance on authority. In most legal writing,

the writer must back up assertions and statements with citations of authority

. This is accomplished by a unique and complicated citation system, unlike that used in any other genre of writing.