Cameron Miranda
The Harvard Law Review is a student-run law journal that publishes articles, notes, and case comments. The Review holds a writing competition each year to select second- and third-year law students to join its editorial team. The competition consists of two parts: Subcite, which involves editing an unpublished article, and Case Comment, which involves describing and analysing a recent case. Case comments are ten pages long and focus on an important case decided by the U.S. Supreme Court during the previous term. Students are provided with a closed universe of materials and are prohibited from using any form of artificial intelligence during the competition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Word count | 200 words |
| Content | Describe and analyze a recent case |
| Reference sources | Westlaw, Lexis Advance, Suffolk Law journals, previous Harvard Law Review articles |
| Length | 10 pages |
| Timing | Written during the summer between students' second and third years |
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What You'll Learn
Competition structure
The Harvard Law Review writing competition is open to second- and third-year law students. The competition consists of two parts: Subcite and Case Comment, each worth 50% of the final score.
Case Comment
The Case Comment section requires students to describe and analyse a recent case. The competition provides a closed universe of materials that participants can use as a reference. No additional outside research or the use of Artificial Intelligence is allowed.
The Harvard Law Review writing competition is structured as a two-part examination. The first part, Subcite, involves a technical and substantive edit of an excerpt from an unpublished article. This accounts for 50% of the total score.
The second part, Case Comment, also accounts for 50% of the score and involves describing and analysing a recent case. Students are provided with a set of materials that they can refer to, and no outside research is required or permitted.
The competition is designed to assess students' ability to analyse and critique legal cases, as well as their writing and editing skills. It is an opportunity for students to showcase their understanding of legal concepts and their ability to apply them to a practical scenario.
While the Case Comment section does not allow outside research, students are encouraged to consult other case comments when writing their own. This can provide valuable insights and help students understand the expectations and format of a case comment.
Additionally, students can refer to resources provided by Harvard Law Review, such as the Application and Information Packet, which offers specific guidance on approaching the case comment portion. There are also videos available from previous years' tips sessions and Q&A sessions, which can provide helpful insights and answers to common questions.
The competition has specific guidelines, such as word limits and formatting requirements, which students must adhere to. These guidelines ensure that all participants are evaluated fairly and consistently.
Overall, the Harvard Law Review writing competition is a comprehensive assessment of students' legal analysis, writing, and editing skills, providing a platform for students to showcase their understanding of legal concepts within a structured framework.
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Technical and substantive edits
When it comes to technical and substantive edits, there are a few key guidelines to keep in mind. The Harvard Law Review has specific standards and expectations for its writing, and participants in the writing competition are assessed on their ability to make these types of edits.
Firstly, it's important to familiarise yourself with the style and format of the Harvard Law Review. Consistency is key when it comes to technical edits. This includes paying attention to details such as font, spacing, and citation format. The Review likely has specific guidelines for these elements, which should be followed precisely.
Additionally, substantive edits involve ensuring the accuracy and clarity of the content. This includes checking for grammatical errors, punctuation mistakes, and syntax issues. It also entails enhancing the structure and organisation of the piece to ensure a logical flow of ideas. Fact-checking is also a crucial aspect of substantive edits, verifying that all information, statistics, and citations are accurate and up-to-date.
Another important aspect of substantive edits is improving the clarity and conciseness of the writing. This may involve rewriting sentences or paragraphs to enhance comprehension, ensuring the language is accessible and free of jargon, and that the overall argument or analysis is coherent and well-supported.
When making technical and substantive edits, it's essential to respect the original author's voice and intent. While improvements can be suggested, the goal is to enhance the quality of the piece while preserving the author's unique perspective and style.
Finally, it is worth consulting other case comments for reference. Online editions of law journals, such as those provided by Suffolk Law, Westlaw, or Lexis Advance, can be excellent sources for examples. These sources allow for advanced searches specifically for case comments, making it easier to find relevant and helpful comparisons.
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Recent case analysis
The Harvard Law Review's writing competition consists of two parts: Subcite and Case Comment. The Case Comment portion requires students to describe and analyze a recent case.
When writing a case comment for the Harvard Law Review, it is important to focus on a recent case that has been decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. The case comment should be around ten pages long and provide a detailed analysis of the case, including the facts, the legal issues at stake, and the Court's decision.
To get started, it is helpful to consult other case comments for reference and inspiration. Online law journals, such as the Suffolk Law journals, Westlaw, and Lexis Advance, are great resources for finding examples of case comments. These databases allow you to perform advanced searches to find comments on specific legal issues or cases.
When analyzing a recent case, it is crucial to understand the context and background of the case, including the legal principles and previous case law that may be relevant. This involves examining the specific facts of the case and identifying the key legal issues that the Court was asked to address.
The case comment should also explore the Court's decision and rationale, including any dissenting opinions. By analyzing the Court's reasoning, the writer can provide insight into the implications of the decision and how it fits within the broader legal landscape.
Additionally, a well-crafted case comment may also offer critical analysis and evaluation of the Court's decision. This could include discussing any potential consequences or implications that may arise from the ruling, as well as identifying any areas of disagreement or alternative interpretations of the law.
Overall, when writing a case comment for the Harvard Law Review, it is important to provide a thorough and insightful analysis of a recent case, demonstrating a strong understanding of the legal issues and their broader context. By consulting previous case comments and focusing on the specific details and implications of the chosen case, students can effectively showcase their analytical skills and contribute to the ongoing legal discourse.
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Word count
The Harvard Law Review's writing competition consists of two parts: Subcite and Case Comment. The Case Comment portion requires students to describe and analyze a recent case. While there is no explicit word count mentioned for the Case Comment, the writing competition has another optional component, an expository statement, which is limited to 200 words.
In terms of word count for a law review article, a Reddit post mentions that Harvard says 25,000 words is the maximum length for a law review article, but this is not the standard. The same post mentions that when reviewing submissions for the law review, they looked for articles in the 14,000 to 17,000-word range. Another Reddit post mentions that a law review essay is typically 10,000 words or fewer, and a published essay they referenced was 12,275 words, including footnotes.
Additionally, the "Leading Cases" section of the Harvard Law Review, which includes student-written pieces, mentions that comments are limited to ten pages. While the word count is not specified, this provides a length restriction that students can follow.
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Outside research
When writing a case comment for the Harvard Law Review, outside research is not required. The competition that determines the law review's editorial team uses a closed universe of materials provided to all participants, and no additional outside research of any kind is allowed.
However, if you are writing a case comment in a different context, outside research can be valuable. Consulting other case comments when writing your own is always a good idea. You can find examples of case comments in online law journals, such as the Suffolk Law journals, or through databases like Westlaw or Lexis Advance.
On Westlaw, first limit your search to "Law Reviews and Journals" by selecting that option from the drop-down menu in the main search bar. Then, go to the Advanced Search link and search the "Preliminary" field for "case /3 comment." Enter relevant keywords in the "Text" field to find comments on a specific issue.
Lexis Advance also offers a similar search function. Under the "Content Type" tab, click the "Secondary Materials" link and select "Law Reviews & Journals." In the main search bar, type "case /3 comment" and relevant keywords to find comments on a particular topic.
By utilizing these online resources, you can access a wealth of case comments that can provide valuable insights, perspectives, and analytical frameworks to inform and enhance your own writing.
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Frequently asked questions
Case comments for the Harvard Law Review are ten pages long.
The case comment portion of the writing competition for the Harvard Law Review is worth 50% of the competition score.
The case comment portion of the writing competition requires students to describe and analyze a recent case.
No outside research of any kind is allowed or required for the case comment portion of the writing competition.
