Word Limits

As an "Associate Lecturer" at the Open University, much time is spent between March and September marking 'eTMAs' (Electronically submitted 'Tutor Marked Assignments') for the Law Degree courses that I teach on. The OU, like all universities offering Qualifying Law Degrees, has challenging word limits. This is neither arbitrary nor an unnecessary extra burden on students.

It is intended that law students be encouraged to develop the skill of succinctness (apparently there are those who believe that lawyers have a tendency to say in ten words what could be said in three!!!!). The clients of lawyers deserve communication from those they have sought advice from, which is focused; understandable; and to the point!

So how can someone develop the skill of succinctness?

Part of the process of writing an essay involves revising, perhaps a number of times, what has been written. I believe that in journalistic circles the process is called “sub-editing” or “subbing”– For example

this sentence -

“He was not paying due care and attention when driving and this resulted in an accident.” (16 words)

Could be rewritten as - “His failure to pay due care and attention resulted in an accident” (12 words)

And then further revised to “His insufficient care and attention caused the accident” (8 words)

The more someone does this, the more succinct their writing style becomes – and focused upon what is essential and what isn’t really needed – which is the real purpose of having word limits!

Quizlet

Law Students in particular, but many students in general, have a tradition of using "revision cards" to assist in the final stages of revision. Of course they are even more useful if prepared earlier during the course of studies.

Case cards are a particularly useful tool for law students. It's useful to have a VERY brief outline of the facts and key legal points established by a particular leading case. (A word of warning - volume  is the enemy of the student who wishes to be effective - don't do too many cases, concentrate on the cases that you are likely to need for the exam - a thousand case cards looks impressive, but may not concentrate the mind! Similarly, don't try and write as much as you possibly can - in the smallest writing. Condensing the information is the key to successful recall)

One of my students introduced me last year to "Quizlet" an internet based tool for creating cards; revising & testing oneself; and sharing with colleagues. He, and some other Open University students collaborated in developing some revision cards which they then shared and tested each other on. I strongly commend such activities - it makes learning more fun & discussion can (and does) arise which enhances every participants understanding of the subject matter.

Revision cards are useful not just for learning cases - but definitions, or quotations, for dates & translated words. I've started using them for my own leisure and professional use. Quizlet allows you to make your own cards - and if you choose, to share them with everyone - or with a defined group of colleagues. It also allows you to find existing card sets.

So if you are taking an exam in 2012 - make your resolution to improve your results by using revision cards. The ones you make yourself are the most useful (because you are forced to condense information - a key to successful memory). Using cards made by others can be useful, but less effective (I for example found on Quizlet a set of cards, each of which has the name; state and photograph of a member of the current US Senate - and use it to improve my recall of faces (not my strongest point) and linking Senators to their States. I am developing myself some MindMaps which link together other pieces of information (Committee assignments; dates of birth; other political achievements and interests).

If you want to try Quizlet out - go to http://quizlet.com/.

I have set up groups to share course related cards for my Open University Students on the W200 and W201 courses. If you'd like to join one of the groups
- English Legal System (for W200)
- UK Constitutional Law (for W200 and W201)
- UK Law of Obligations (for W200)
- EU Law (for W200)
- UK Admin Law (for W201)
- UK Criminal Law (for W201)

please drop me an email at jdavidmorgan@googlemail.com and I'll add you to the groups you wish to join.

Keeping up with Britain's top Court

Since the demise of the House of Lords Judicial Committee - it really offended the principle of  'Separation of Powers' that the Highest Court was a committee of the Legislature - the Highest Court has been the newly created Supreme Court. Judgments are published, often within minutes of them being delivered.

If you are a law student, or otherwise have an interest in the continuing development of English Law - bookmark this link - http://www.supremecourt.gov.uk/news/judgments.html