ATENEO DE MANILA MANILA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW COURSE SYLLABUS Course Title: No. of Units: Semester/ SY: Department/Track:
Legal Writing Two (2) 2nd Semester, S.Y. 20142015 Legal Research and Writing Department
Instructors: Atty. Oscar Carlo F. Cajucom
Pre-requisites:
I.
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
The course will focus on the fundamentals of effective legal writing and introduce the students to the basic principles of writing good business correspondence, legal memoranda, affidavits, and pleadings.
Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: Appreciate and observe observe the diligence required required for effective effective legal writing; Write more clearly and effectively; and Recognize the ethical and professional responsibilities responsibilities involved in legal writing.
Methodology Lectures and recitations, as well as writing and other exercises.
II. COURSE OUTLINE Week/ Date Week 1 November 4 Week 2 November 11 Week 3 November 18 Week 4 November 25 Week 5 December 2 Week 6 December 9 Week 7 December 16 Week 8 January 6 Week 9 January 27
Topic/Activity
Introduction Writing Exercise Introduction to Writing Effective Writing Effective Writing Effective Writing Introduction to Legal Writing Legal Citation Facts
Week 10 February 3 Week 11 February 10 Week 12 February 17 Week 13 February 24 Week 14 March 3 Week 15 March 10
Arguments Writing Legal Opinions Writing Basic Pleadings and Motions Writing Basic Pleadings and Motions Writing Trial Memoranda Other Writing Exercises
III. REFERENCES AND OTHER MATERIALS Principal References:
Required Readings : R OBERTO A. A BAD & BLESSILDA B. A BAD-G AMO, FUNDAMENTALS OF LEGAL WRITING (2014); NOAH A. MESSING, THE A RT OF A DVOCACY (2013); and the A TENEO L AW JOURNAL LEGAL CITATION GUIDE (2011); 1997 R ULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE (subdivisions to be assigned in advance) Optional Readings: S ALVATORE J. I ACONE, WRITE TO THE POINT (2003); J ACQUES B ARZUN, SIMPLE & DIRECT: A R HETORIC FOR WRITERS (2001); and TOM MCK EOWN, POWERFUL BUSINESS WRITING (1992)
IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING SYSTEM Course Requirements Attendance, participation, quizzes, and writing exercises Midterm exam Final exam
Grade Breakdown
40%
30% 30%
V. COURSE POLICIES 1. Attendance will be checked at the start of every class. The Law School’s rules and regulations on attendance apply. 2. Students may step out one at a time to go to the comfort room. 3. Step out of the class if you need to use your mobile phone. Laptops and similar gadgets may be used for taking down notes or researching for class as long as they are put on silent mode or the speakers are turned off. 4. Announcements, assignments, and case problems will be uploaded through an electronic mailing group. 5. Any form of plagiarism in any written submission will merit a grade of 60% for that assignment, subject to the Law School’s Plagiarism Policies and Disciplinary Procedures.
VI.
CONTACT AND OTHER INFORMATION
Email Addresses:
[email protected] or
[email protected] Consultation schedule: After class or on appointment
