Keith Mack
Creating outlines for law classes can be a challenging task, but with the right approach, it can become much easier. Outlines are a crucial tool for law students, allowing them to quickly access information for their classes and prepare for exams. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, students can follow some general guidelines to create effective outlines. This includes gathering foundational information, such as case briefs, class notes, and casebooks, as well as utilizing resources like BARBRI outlines or upperclassmen's notes. Additionally, students should pay close attention to their professor's syllabus and lectures, as the content covered in class is often the key to excelling on exams. By combining these elements and incorporating personal study habits, such as colour-coding and flowcharts, law students can develop comprehensive outlines that cater to their unique learning needs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Resources | Class notes, casebooks, commercial briefs, supplements, syllabi, casebooks, BARBRI outlines, handed-down outlines, study aids, Westlaw, Westlaw Edge, Westlaw Today, Law School Resource Center, Black's Law definitions, case law, Restatements, FRCP, MPC, etc. |
| Techniques | Colour-coding, flow charts, tree diagrams, case nicknaming, abbreviations, checklists, hypos, colour scheming, etc. |
| Tips | Start early, use professor's syllabus, incorporate hypothetical examples, important points, and professor's rules, write out and re-write concepts in your own words, use another student's outline for structure or wording, but not exclusively |
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What You'll Learn
- Note-taking strategies: use Microsoft Word, OneNote, or create colour codes, flow charts, and diagrams
- How to use class notes: class notes are the best resource for outlining?
- Supplements: use supplements to fill in gaps in your understanding or class notes
- Case studies: incorporate key cases, such as Fairmount Glass Works v. Crunden, into your outline
- Online resources: use online resources such as Westlaw, or online guides and templates
Note-taking strategies: use Microsoft Word, OneNote, or create colour codes, flow charts, and diagrams
Note-taking is an essential part of studying for law classes. Here are some strategies for effective note-taking using Microsoft Word, OneNote, colour codes, flow charts, and diagrams.
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is a versatile tool that can be used for more than just creating large documents; it is also great for note-taking. Word's voice typing feature allows you to quickly capture your thoughts and ideas, which is especially useful when typing is impractical. You can also use the drawing tools in the Draw tab to create visual aids, such as sketchnotes, which combine text and drawings to make information easier to understand and remember. Additionally, you can insert comments in your notes to add context or reminders without cluttering the primary content. With Microsoft Word, you can access your notes across different devices by saving them to OneDrive, ensuring your notes are always synchronised and accessible.
OneNote
OneNote is another excellent digital tool for note-taking, offering advantages over traditional pen-and-paper methods. One benefit of OneNote is its unlimited page sizes, allowing you to endlessly update one page with related information. For example, you can create separate sections for homework assignments, note-taking, and brainstorming. To stay organised, you can colour-code each section and use numerals to ensure important sections remain at the top of your list. OneNote also offers chronological sorting, making it easy to find notes from different periods. Its search feature is also handy for locating specific text within your notes.
Colour Codes, Flow Charts, and Diagrams
Visual note-taking tools, such as flow charts and diagrams, can enhance your understanding and retention of information. Flow charts, for instance, help visualise a data sequence based on a series of actions or steps. Venn diagrams, a type of overlapping circle diagram, are useful for revealing similarities and differences between concepts. Hierarchy maps and spider diagrams are also effective for organising information, especially when dealing with multiple subtopics. When using these visual tools, it is essential to use your own words to simplify concepts and make connections between different ideas.
In conclusion, effective note-taking for law classes involves utilising a combination of tools and strategies. Whether you choose to use Microsoft Word, OneNote, or visual methods like colour codes and diagrams, the key is to find a system that works best for you and helps you understand and retain the information presented in your classes.
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How to use class notes: class notes are the best resource for outlining
Class notes are an invaluable resource for outlining. They are the best resource for finding rules and understanding concepts in law classes. This is because your professor writes the exam, so their words are "gold" and will give you the best insight into what you need to know.
The process of outlining is an effective way to structure your notes and create a cohesive framework for your revision. It is a popular approach that involves sorting notes into a structured format and using indented bullet points to make connections between ideas. The outlining method has numerous benefits and uses for students of all ages. It allows you to access information quickly and efficiently for each law school class.
To make the most of your class notes, it is important to develop good note-taking skills. Handwriting notes is a great way to help you learn and remember concepts, but typing notes on a computer can be faster and more convenient. It is important to consider your own preferences and abilities when deciding on a note-taking method.
After class, review your notes and complete any phrases or sentences that were left unfinished. Use cues in the margin to help you recall information and test yourself. Organize your notes by writing a summary in your own words, filling in any gaps, and chunking them into categories or sections. This will help you identify the main ideas and structure your outline effectively.
Your outline should be specific to your professor's syllabus and include key ideas, supporting details, and other critical information. Incorporate Black's Law definitions, case law, authority, characteristics, differentiations, checklists, flowcharts, and more. Be creative and make your outline work for your study habits.
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Supplements: use supplements to fill in gaps in your understanding or class notes
When it comes to law school, it is important to remember that supplements are gap-fillers and not primary learning tools. They can be used to clarify topics and improve your understanding of the material, but they should not replace your class notes, assigned readings, or casebook readings. Here are some tips on how to effectively use supplements to fill in gaps in your understanding or class notes:
Choose the Right Supplement
Select a supplement that fits your needs. If you need clarification of the law, choose a supplement that explains the law in a narrative manner. If you require practice, opt for a supplement with plenty of questions and answers. You can also seek recommendations from professors and law librarians, who can guide you towards resources that align with your course and professor's style. Additionally, consider asking fellow students who have excelled in the class for their suggestions.
Timing is Key
It is generally recommended to start using supplements halfway through the semester. This allows you to gain a basic understanding of the material and identify the areas where you need further clarification. By first engaging with the course content, you can then use supplements more effectively to fill in any gaps in your knowledge.
Understand Their Limitations
While supplements can provide valuable guidance, they may differ from the exact way your professor teaches the course and may contain more information than you need for your class. They should be used as tools to enhance your learning, not as a substitute for your own outline or the assigned work. Remember that your professor writes the exam, so always prioritize their teachings and your class notes as your primary resources.
Practice Responsible Usage
Supplements can be beneficial, but they should not be your sole study source. Use them alongside your class notes, casebooks, and commercial briefs. While supplements may offer practice problems, keep in mind that the explanations and answers may differ from traditional legal writing conventions or your professor's preferred approach. To get the most out of these practice problems, consider seeking feedback from a teaching assistant, study group, or professor.
Examples of Supplements
Some examples of supplements include commercial outlines (such as Emmanuel's, Gilbert's, or Black Letter), hornbooks (mini-hornbooks or nutshells), and practice problem sets. You can also explore resources like Examples and Explanations, Acing, or the Exam Pro Series, which offer targeted practice problems to test your understanding throughout the semester.
In conclusion, supplements can be a valuable tool for law students, but they should be used responsibly and in conjunction with other resources. By choosing the right supplement, timing your usage appropriately, understanding their limitations, and practicing responsible usage, you can effectively fill in gaps in your understanding or class notes.
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Case studies: incorporate key cases, such as Fairmount Glass Works v. Crunden, into your outline
When it comes to finding outlines for different law classes, a good place to start is with your own class notes. Your professor writes the exam, so their words are the most important. Use your class notes as your primary resource, and refer to supplements or a casebook to fill in any gaps where your notes are unclear.
In terms of structure, look at the main headings in your syllabus to see the overall organisation of your class. If your professor has not provided a detailed syllabus, check your casebook to see the main headings that appear above the cases you are assigned.
In your outline, you should incorporate Black’s Law definitions, case law, authority – such as the Restatements, FRCP, MPC, etc. – characteristics, differentiations, checklists, flowcharts, and more. You can also include class notes, case briefs, and summaries. Your outline should be specific to your professor’s syllabus, but you can use another classmate’s outline to help with structure or wording.
Case studies are an important part of your outline. For example, in the case of Fairmount Glass Works v. Crunden-Martin Woodenware Co., the key issue was whether a price quote inviting acceptance constitutes an offer that can be revoked after acceptance. On April 20, 1895, Crunden-Martin contacted Fairmount Glass Works requesting a price quote for an order of mason jars. Fairmount responded with a quote including the phrase "for immediate acceptance". Crunden-Martin then placed an order, which Fairmount declined to fulfil, claiming that their entire inventory had been sold. The court ruled in favour of Crunden-Martin, stating that the wording of the price quote implied a proposition to sell at these prices if accepted immediately, and that a binding offer had been made that could not be revoked once accepted.
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Online resources: use online resources such as Westlaw, or online guides and templates
Westlaw is an excellent online resource for law students, offering guides, tutorials, and video demonstrations. It provides access to research help, subject guides, and other useful resources compiled by law librarians. Westlaw also offers video tutorials on using folders to organise your research, as well as sharing folders with other Westlaw subscribers.
Westlaw has a range of guides in PDF format, such as checking citations using KeyCite, finding and printing multiple documents, and researching statutes on Thomson Reuters Westlaw Edge. There are also video tutorials on using KeyCite and researching judicial interpretations of statutes.
To access Westlaw, you must be a law student, MLS student, or law faculty member and sign in to create an account. Westlaw also offers the West Academic Library app for offline access to study aids.
In addition to Westlaw, there are other online guides and templates available to assist with outlining for law classes. For example, jdadvising.com provides an in-depth guide on writing law school outlines, emphasising the importance of class notes as the primary resource. They suggest using supplements, casebooks, or commercial briefs to fill in any gaps in your notes. The guide also recommends including hypothetical examples and important points made by the professor, as these show how the law is applied in practice and are likely to be tested.
Another online resource is the Law School Survival Guide by Thomson Reuters, which offers tips on formulating your own approach to outlining. It suggests incorporating Black's Law definitions, case law, authority, characteristics, checklists, flowcharts, and more. While it's tempting to rely solely on another student's outline template, your outline should be tailored to your professor's syllabus. You can, however, use a classmate's outline for structure and wording inspiration.
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Frequently asked questions
Your class notes are the absolute best resource for finding outlines for your law classes. Your professor writes the exam, so it makes sense to know the rules they want you to know. Your professor will either state the rule directly or point it out in a statute, restatement section, or case during class.
There is no one right way to create an outline for a law class. However, some recommended steps to get started include gathering all your foundational information into one place, such as case briefs, class notes, and your casebook. You can also use a study aid, such as a BARBRI outline or a handed-down outline from your professor or upperclassmen.
In your outline, you should include Black's Law definitions, case law, authority (such as the Restatements, FRCP, MPC, etc.), characteristics, differentiations, checklists, flowcharts, and more. You can make your outline work for your study habits by thinking creatively. For example, you can include colour-coding, case nicknames, abbreviations, and diagrams to help you identify and group like information.
Start outlining as soon as possible. The sooner you have your outline, the sooner you can start to review it. You can use a note-taking software such as Microsoft Word or OneNote to create folders and sub-folders to organize documents by class and topic. Additionally, you can use Westlaw to find articles featuring attorneys in a firm, agency actions, or practice area trends.
