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Post by zebra51 on Mar 7, 2013 16:35:12 GMT -5
Section 2: Writing Sample - The Writing Sample is an exercise in which applicants write a response to a pre-determined topic. Applicants type their writing sample responses online and the exercise is timed. Applicants may take as long as they wish to review the instructions but are given 35 minutes to prepare a response to the question.
Any ideas on how to start practicing for this???
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Post by bartleby on Mar 7, 2013 17:21:14 GMT -5
This is a totally new section of the exam. I would think that if you can find some practice BAR questions and practice reading them and then answering them in 35 minutes you would be good. I doubt that the questions will be complex, but will require analysis and rationale to support your decision or answer.
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Post by privateatty on Mar 7, 2013 20:20:54 GMT -5
Section 2: Writing Sample - The Writing Sample is an exercise in which applicants write a response to a pre-determined topic. Applicants type their writing sample responses online and the exercise is timed. Applicants may take as long as they wish to review the instructions but are given 35 minutes to prepare a response to the question. Any ideas on how to start practicing for this??? Actually, you either can do it or not, IMHO. Put another way, practice for this is not the point, n'est-ce pa? |
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Post by Taylor20 on Mar 8, 2013 8:37:42 GMT -5
I agree with privateatty that practicing is not the point. However, IMHO, you can practice for anything and be better prepared by doing so. So, I would definitely recommend practicing for this new section. As to how to go about it, I think bartleby's idea is good. Or, if you don't have any practice bar Qs handy, just do a westlaw search in your area of practice and pick a random case. Read enough of the court's opinion to know the main legal issue, then put it aside and write your best analysis on that topic in 35 minutes. Shoot for a logical, crisp response that doesn't ramble endlessly. Then sit back and analyze your work as if it was written by someone else and you were scoring it. If you do this five times, I'm sure you'll notice improvement. There's no way to tell what their topic will be, so you can't practice for the substance, but you can practice dealing with writing a solid, organized, well-written 35-minute response to various legal topics and that should be helpful.
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Post by deltajudge on Mar 8, 2013 21:08:51 GMT -5
8-)Everybody knows I am a dinosaur, but for my written demonstration way back when, we were not asked a question. We were given a set of facts, on which we were to make an argument. I guess it would kind of like an appellate brief, in which you reached what you considered the right conclusion, right or wrong.
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Post by zebra51 on Mar 11, 2013 15:24:35 GMT -5
"given 35 minutes to prepare a response to the question". Thinking this is one of those test where given a statement you prepare a response either agreeing or disagreeing. Then give a written response. I found a good site that explains the process in educational testing of pre-professional writing with examples of good and bad responses. www.ets.org/Media/Tests/PRAXIS/pdf/0720.pdf (The essay examples start about half-way down) |
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1234
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Post by 1234 on Mar 11, 2013 17:00:17 GMT -5
Very interesting, zebra51. Thanks for posting.
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johnx
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Post by johnx on Mar 12, 2013 14:39:29 GMT -5
I have submitted my material and my co-worker is in the process of submitting his. He indicated that we could talk about answers to this submission together and that other people would be doing the same thing. He also thought we got the quesiton wll before the time to submit the answer. neither of these things sounds quite right to me. I was thinking it was more like a test and you did it by yourself. Comments?
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Post by ncatty007 on Mar 12, 2013 15:05:13 GMT -5
johnx: I'm certainly no expert, as you can see from my post count and registration date. That said, my understanding is that the writing sample is more of an individualized test than a collaborative effort. And even assuming it's the latter, I suppose the real question is whether you want to be collaborating on answers with someone you're competing with for what are limited openings. 
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Post by chinook on Mar 12, 2013 15:13:02 GMT -5
Without following the details of this new exam, it is my understanding that the writing sample is part of the "graded" exercise. If that is true, it is my belief that the graded exercise should be accomplished without help. In fact, I will go a step further and say it is my view that such activity (comparing notes, discussions or having somebody review it) is not only inappropriate but highly unethical. Remember you are applying to be a Judge.
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johnx
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Post by johnx on Mar 12, 2013 15:41:35 GMT -5
that's what I certainly thought. thanks for confirming that.
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