The Faculty Blog is one of the University of Chicago School of Law?s blog sites, with content on all kinds of law news, issues, and cases. Posts come from faculty, alumni, students, and other University affiliates. The blog targets to be a forum for open discussion on anything regarding law. As such, it is open to comments. It has been up and running since September 2008.
The ups and downs
Dialogue through comments and feedback on The Faculty Blog has a very academic atmosphere. Posts on a variety of law topics are accommodated, from debates to critiques and book reviews. Although all posts are in text format, some link to sites with video or audio clips.
The layout is very simple and easy to navigate. The site is split in two columns, the left for blog posts and the right for other navigation options: outside links, categories, archives, recent posts and comments. The site?s colors are also simple — just plain white for background and red and black for the text.
The simplicity, however, is also a downside. Being an academic blog, it is understandable for the site to have a formal appearance, but it does border on becoming a bit boring. Since it is just a two-column layout, there is no dynamics in navigating through the site, just a whole lot of scrolling down, down, and down — not exactly friendly for the non-academic readers. But for its target audience, the layout can be quite acceptable.
There is also no doubt that the content of The Faculty Law Blog is very extensive, which is why its categorization of posts could use a revamp. Posts are mostly classified under authors? names, which is disadvantageous for readers who are not familiar with the posts? authors. Perhaps a separate category list could be made — this time according to subjects of blog posts.
Prawfsblawg contains blogs on law issues, news, and other matters from law professors. These professors are from a mix of universities in the United States. The site is operated by PrawfsBlawg LLC, a limited liability corporation based in Florida. The site has been up and running since December 2008, and has the tagline: “Where Intellectual Honesty Has (Almost Always) Trumped Partisanship?Albeit in a Kind of Boring Way Until Recently?Since 2005.”
What makes it a good read
The site has a three-column layout, and its color of choice is in the shades of purple. Listed on its leftmost panel are links to recent comments and posts, blog categories, archives, a search bar and a space for advertisements. The middle panel contains blog posts, while the rightmost portion of the site lists the authors (the site?s regular Prawfs, guests and alumni). It also contains a list of links to sites recommended by PrawfsBlawg.
Posts on PrawfsBlawg concentrate on law, but although written by professors, the tone of the entries is not too academic. They are still an easy and practical read for non-law folk, like one regarding child obesity or another on video surveillance. Then there are posts that link law to unlikely topics, such as music or film.
A bit of disappointment
One off-putting factor in PrawfsBlawg, however, is the shift of layout when opening a category link. From three columns, the layout becomes two columns, and the color also changes. Although variety is welcome in a site, a constant look should also be kept to create an identity for the blog.
There are also the long lists on the left and rightmost frames. Both exceed the length of the blogs resulting in a lot of scrolling down by readers, which can ultimately become boring. It would be better if all frames ended on the same point, and any extra links, which can?t be fitted into the page, just be referred through other links.
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.
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
If you are planning on applying for law school, as early as possible you should be able to present yourself to the respective admission committee of your chosen school as someone who has the makings of a good lawyer. What the admission committee seeks from applicants vary from school to school. They might require high scores in admission tests, transcripts, or letters of recommendation, and the like. One sure requirement is writing your law school personal statement.
Importance of having strong arguments in your application essay
Your application essay should convince the admission committee that among all other applicants, you deserve a slot in their university. Your argument should be strong; it should be justified, pointed clearly, and directly stated.
How to support your arguments
When it comes to persuasion and making an argument, you should be clear on what you are claiming. You should show in your essay that you know your topic well, and that your claim is based on facts and that you have supporting evidence. There are different kinds of evidence that you can use. Expert testimonies are examples of strong evidences. These can either be facts, informed opinions, and speculations. To be able to gather these evidence, you should research and consult with experts.
Statistics is another form of evidence, and so are examples. Examples can strengthen statistics. By also giving specific examples, you become more persuasive. You can also incorporate personal or anecdotal experience and analogies to not only make your points clearer, but to support them as well. However, you should use these types of evidence sparingly. The secret is to use logic to connect all the evidence and weave them into a seamless argument in your essay.
Other tips for a persuasive essay
Structure and organization are integral components of an effective persuasive essay. No matter how good your evidence are, if you are not able to write an interesting introduction, a coherent and substantial body, and a strong conclusion, all your efforts in making your argument are futile. Focus on improving your structure and organization as well.
Related links:
Personal Statement Tone – Improving the tone of your essay
Law School Essays – Using sample law school essays as guides
Law School Motivation – Discussing motivations in your essay
Personal Statement Mistakes – Spotting mistakes in your essayConvincing Personal Statements – How to write convincing personal statements
Law Admission Essays – All about law school admission essays
Best Admission Essay – All about writing the best admission essay
Law School Essay – All about law school admission essays
Admission Essays – All about writing your admission essay
College Persuasive Essays – Difference of college persuasive essays from other essays
Did you ever wonder why it’s called personal “statement” instead of just application essay? Well, this is because your application essay should have the same elements of a compelling speech. If you’re geared toward becoming a lawyer, then you should put more effort into your personal statement. Why? Because writing is second nature to legal professionals. Lawyers make legal correspondences and have to explain their arguments in details, especially when engaging in legal battles. If you can’t make a persuasive law school personal statement now or convey your message clearly, can you defend other people’s rights or convince the jurY in the near future?
Here are three simple tips that are sure to create a great impact on your personal statement. With these in mind, good essays can turn into golden tickets to law school admission.
Always be positive
Nobody wants to hear what cannot be done. So instead of dwelling on the negative, focus on solutions or propose something that should be done. This is especially helpful when presenting your views or position on certain issues, be it personal or political topics. When you express yourself using a positive language, you come off as enthusiastic, objective, and reasonable. Even if you express your own convictions, you won’t sound too arrogant or offensive.
Using a positive voice will also encourage readers to act on your behalf or at least hear out what you have to say.
Avoid qualifiers
An outline will help you get started the right way. You’ll then know what to write about and what to focus on. With a clear thought on things you want to convey, you won’t make the mistake of sounding too unsure. For this reason, you should avoid words like “rather,” “possibly,” “quite,” and “probably.” How can you convince your readers if you lack confidence in what you’re saying? Didn’t you give your ideas much thought? This will be the impression the admissions panel will get from your personal statement when you use qualifiers.
Vary your sentences
Even with great ideas or stories to tell, if lines flow the same, the admissions officer will easily get bored and may refuse to go over the whole thing. Although your law school personal statement is a serious matter, it doesn’t mean that you can no longer be creative. Express yourself better by improving the flow of your thoughts. Varied sentence structure can add more life to your essay. Use simple, compound, and complex sentences. Also use transitions to give readers warning signs to where your paragraphs or sentences are heading.
Grab a sample law school personal statement to serve as your guide. You have to see for yourself what makes a compelling speech or persuasive writing piece.
Using a Sample Law School Personal Statement as a Guide for Your Scholarship Essay
When applying for scholarships, you will most likely be required to submit a scholarship essay. These essays are a standard requirement of every graduate school or any fellowship that gives out scholarships to qualified students. Scholarship essays are basically personal statements that serve to demonstrate your qualifications, past experiences, interests, and your motivations in applying for the said scholarship. One of the best guides in writing an effective essay for your scholarship is a sample law school personal statement.
The scholarship essay and the law school personal statement
A sample personal statement for law school basically covers your reasons for attending the said law school, your qualifications in pursuing law studies, and the relevant experiences you have had which makes you a more qualified candidate. In other words, a law school personal essay should be a reflection of your qualities and qualifications. Writing an essay for your scholarship application is no different. This essay should serve as your introduction to the selection board. While an excellent personal statement will not automatically win you a scholarship, submitting a poorly written one can deter your chances of being shortlisted.
What you should include in your personal scholarship essay
Your chances in getting a scholarship are dependent on a number of factors. The selection committee will have to evaluate your transcripts, recommendations, annual family income, and, of course, your personal essay.
More than a simple recount of your qualifications and achievements, your scholarship essay should have a theme and a voice. To make it unique from the rest, your essay must also contain stories and examples. Different scholarship organizations provide different instructions, so make sure you follow the instructions clearly. Proofreading your essay will also help you achieve a well-written and error-free piece.
Since these essays are basically personal, there is no specific format which you can follow. However, you can use sample personal statements as guides when writing your scholarship essay.
Finding helpful sample personal statements
A sample personal statement for law school can be found on the web. Many colleges and educational institutions online provide sample personal essays for those who in search of valuable guides. Nonetheless, a critical examination of these personal statements is very important. You need to make sure that you are following an infallible guide, and not one that has loopholes in content or grammar.
Personal statements can be written using two approaches. You may use the more conventional or mechanical approach, wherein you will focus on your motivations, qualifications, relevant experiences, and your reasons in applying at the school. The second approach is being referred to as more anecdotal in style. Here you will use a more creative way in highlighting your strengths, through the use of stories, examples, and anecdotes.
Writing your scholarship essay can be considered as one of the more difficult, but nevertheless highly important, aspects in your application. With the help of a sample law school personal statement, however, you can pick up certain pointers in making your scholarship essay stand out from the rest.
Photo Credit : Nic’s events
Skimming, Reading Critically, and Scanning a Sample Law School Personal Statement
One of the best things that you could do before you write your personal statement for law school is to read admissions essay samples. Read on and find out why you should do it and how to do it right.
Why read a sample law school personal statement
Admissions officers, experts, and professors recommend that you read several samples of law school personal statement. Doing this would give you idea on how to structure your own essay. You can actually use these sample essays as models when you write your own. But make sure that you only use excellent sample admissions essays as models. Below are the ways on how you should read a sample law school personal statement so you can get ideas from it.
How to read critically, skim and scan the sample admissions essay
There are various strategies for reading. One of them is skimming. When you skim, you go through the whole pages, trying to get the essentials in the materials. Another way is scanning. Scanning is going quickly through the materials, but this time, you look for something specific. Critical reading, on the other hand, requires time because it involves thorough reading and careful analysis of the materials. When reading, you have to pay attention to the structure and style of the writer in order to get ideas on how you should write your own essay.
How to start your essay
Before you brainstorm for the topic or theme of your admissions essay, you should look for many excellent samples of admissions essays online. You can also approach your friends or professors who have been into law school. Ask them if they could let you read their personal statement samples. First you should skim the essays to know what the topics of thesis statements of the essays are, then you should scan the sample essaye for specific information, and then you have to read them carefully and thoroughly. When reading the sample personal statement, take note of the its structure. Ask yourself what makes this specific essay attention grabbing. You also have to study how the theme was used effectively and how the topic was developed. Take note of how the writer used the connectives effectively to maintain the smooth flow of the sentences.
What to remember when using a sample personal statement
When you use a sample personal statement as model, you have to avoid plagiarizing the work of the writer. You should keep in mind that you are only using the sample personal statements as models. You only have to get ideas regarding the structure and style of the essay. In the end, your personal statement is still about you. This is why you have to write as uniquely as possible.
After you have made sure that the content of your essay is attention grabbing, you then have to ensure that the grammar and other technical aspects of your personal statement are impeccable. It is also advisable that you let a law professor read your essay because, more than anyone else, a law professor can give you helpful suggestions and tips if your essay needs revision.
Photo Credit : Anoto Group
