Plan B is part of the network of blogs of MostStronglySupported.com, a site devoted to issues, news, and other information regarding the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Bloggers on the site are teachers of LSAT classes, but Dixie Tananbaum, who runs Plan B, has just recently stopped teaching to take up law. She calls her blog Plan B as reference to her blogging, which she calls her second career.
What makes it a fun read
Aspiring law students will definitely find Plan B an easy read. Dixie writes in a simple yet engaging manner, keeping her readers focused. Her blogs are also of reasonable length — meaning, you don?t have to scroll down forever before hitting rock bottom. She writes humorous, concise, and straight-to-the-point articles.
Most of her posts are personal, such as her memories on going back to school or her experiences as an unoccupied unemployed. There are also informative posts for newbie law school students, such as one on law school myths or a two-part post on how to defer from entering law school.
What are the glitches
What is noticeable about Plan B is that it?s a relatively young blog. Its archives only date back to July 2009, giving a grand total of nine posts. Compared to other blogs, information in Plan B is definitely not as extensive. It also lacks information on the author herself, presenting only vague information in her “About” page. The author also fails to utilize a “Categories” list, but this could be attributed to the site?s relatively few posts.
This is not to say that Plan B has nothing to offer. In fact, there is a noticeable effort from the author when it comes to updating her page. The articles are current and relevant to the author?s life, and she is always able to concentrate it on her main topic, which is law school. Plan B is certainly one blog worth keeping tabs on.
The Marquette University Law School Faculty Blog contains posts on issues and news regarding law and public policy. Its authors include the Marquette faculty, alumni, students, and others associated with the university. The site has been running since September 2008.
The plus points and the downside
Although the blog offers a wide range of categories, it is noticeable that the concentration is law be it criminal, family, or environmental law. The discussion is academic, and posts and comments go through editors of the site to make sure that civility and decency are maintained in the site.
While the site is an educational outlet, posts are written in a reader-friendly manner. Photos are also attached to some posts, usually just one placed at the beginning. This breaks the monotony of the blocks of text on each page.
The site has a three-column layout. The leftmost panel contains links to the categories, archives, comments and other outside links related to the blog. The central panel contains blog posts, while the rightmost frame contains names of blog editors and faculty, student and alumni contributors. Profiles of the editors and contributors are provided, as well as a link to each contributor?s posts. A faculty, student, and alumni “Blogger of the Month” is chosen and posted in the same panel.
The main page automatically shows 11 blog posts, resulting to a long downward scroll for the reader. Posts on the main page could have been cut shorter and a link could be made for continuations. Links for comments are posted at the top of each article; it could work better if the comments link be placed at the end of the post, letting the reader digest the information first before generating his or her opinion.
Layout- and content-wise, Marquette University Law School Faculty Blog is already quite easy to navigate and browse through — save for a few minor kinks that need tweaking.
Chuck Newton Rides the Third Wave Blog> is the blog of licensed lawyer Chuck Newton and his virtual law firm. It is an actual law firm, except that it has no office. Chuck works from home or wherever work catches up with him. He stays connected with clients through phone, e-mail, fax, or even snail mail. This unconventional form of running a law firm is part of Chuck?s belief in the Third Wave Theory of Alvin Toffler, which also refers to the “post-industrial society” or the “information age.” In this kind of society, technology has bridged the gap between producers and consumers, giving people the means to fulfill their own needs. In short, when it comes to legal services, Chuck Newton is a freelancer.
What the blog is all about
His blog is basically a compilation of his personal thoughts and opinions on law, with added tidbits on other topics such as music, film, education, fashion, etc. His audience is also people involved in law (students, professors, practitioners), but the site is also useful for people looking for legal advice. There is, however, a disclaimer on the lower right portion of the site that Chuck Newton doesn?t consider his posts as legal advice.
This isn?t to say, however, that the posts aren?t useful for legal help. Articles such as The Automatic Stay Violation Law Niche is a timely resource for those experiencing bankruptcy. For aspiring law students, posts like 5 Tips for Entering Law School Students can also be a useful guide.
A few suggestions
While it is clear who this site?s audience is, it could use some improvement in the layout department. At present, it is a two-column blog: recent posts on the left side and everything else (links to related sites and law schools, contact and site information, blog categories) on the right. It could create a third column to the left of the main frame containing the blog posts, and that column could carry the list of blog categories, links to recent posts, and comments, etc., just to decongest the rightmost column. A footer could also be used just so the site doesn?t appear too linear.
Content-wise, however, the blog is quite informative and also has useful outside links that support its content. Just take note that it is still a personal blog and, therefore, contains opinion and not legitimate legal advice.
Proofreading is the last yet vital part of composing your law school essay. Bear in mind that no matter how good the topic is or how convincing the content, grammatical and spelling errors will significantly decrease the quality of your essay. Hence, you must be vigilant and practice proofreading techniques to keep your compositions error-free.
Maximizing your computer’s spell check program
Make sure that your computer is consistently updated with its spell checking program. Your spell checker will be your first safety net against possible errors as it will automatically underline misspelled words. Depending on the program, you can add words as it suits you for a more efficient usage. You can browse the Internet for spell checking programs, or you can just modify the one you have.
Using your trusty highlighter to weed out weak sentences
Your second safety net would be a highlighter. Re-read your essay and highlight parts that you don?t like or you believe could be replaced with better ones. This is a very effective way of proofreading your essay, placing emphasis on sentences that are weak and giving you the chance to focus more on that particular word collection.
Leafing through a dictionary to verify terms and words
Double check your composition by relying on the time-tested dictionary. Spell checkers can also be faulty sometimes, and it would depend on your human capabilities to make your composition error-free. This may also provide you the opportunity to learn synonyms and edit your essay ti improve the tone or find better wording or phrasing.
You can also make use of proofreading symbols to maximize your proofreading capabilities. Try to create intervals between creating the essay and proofreading it. This will allow you to have a clearer state of mind, and the ability to spot errors more efficiently.
Related links:
Reading essays – All about critically checking law school essays
Mistakes to avoid – Avoiding law school personal statement mistakes
Using sample essays – About separating the good essays from the bad
Proofreading tips – Tips tp get your essay error-free!
Proofreading techniques – Tips and techniques in proofreading
When composing an application essay, it is important to think about how to make the essay intriguing for the reader. An effective personal statement would stimulate interest from the college of your choice, invariably making you stand out from the other applicants. To whip up an effective application essay, you have to make sure that the most basic and important ingredients are present in the article.
Effective topic
The first thing to be considered is the topic. Come up with a theme that is engaging for the reader. Do a little research if necessary. Bear in mind that the topic itself should demand attention. It should be something you are also interested in, so that you may be able to convey your thoughts in a more convincing manner. If you know the subject too well, you won’t risk sounding unsure or a little hesitant. You can be more passionate with your writing.
Good writing style
A good writing style conveys competency. One of the most effective methods of writing is by telling it as a story and letting the words flow from your hands. Avoid random sentences inserted in between paragraphs and instead establish an outline and follow it. Determine the subtopics you are going to discuss beforehand so you will not have any problems on what subject goes first. A good writing style promotes clarity of thought.
Grammar error-free essay
Proofread your personal statement as many times as possible. Submitting a grammatically incorrect essay will surely shoot down your chances of being chosen for the college. Most admission officers are very meticulous when it comes to grammar. Don’t be sloppy with essay writing. If you really want to get in, make sure that it’s clean and clear for readers to understand. Handing an error-free essay will promote your eligibility for the college.
Related links:
Improving essay tone – Improving the tone of your personal statement
Writing convincingly – Writing an effective personal statement
Bad essay samples – Identifying a poorly written personal statement
Writing personal statements – All about writing an effective personal statement
Personal statement advice – Guide to writing personal statements
