POLS-470-03: Writing and Persuasion in the Legal World

In this course, you will learn to construct persuasive arguments for a variety of audiences including judges, lawyers, and the public.

The core of the course is to provide students in Moot Court and students interested in law school an introduction into understanding legal reasoning and constructing persuasive arguments. Broadly, however, as the judicial system becomes more political, we find both judges and practitioners engaging in a level of persuasion with the public. Students in this course will also be able to engage in persuasion not just within legal practice but also in legal practice as it intersects with public opinion. Specifically, we will: 1) Identify and deconstruct effective legal arguments; 2) Construct and strengthen arguments built on logical reasoning; 3) Utilize legal reasoning knowledge and skills to engage in public discourse about legal issues by being able to analyze briefs, opinions, oral arguments, and articles, and 4) Write effectively for various legal and lay audiences. From writing case briefs, constructing outlines to understanding the arts of storytelling, and persuading the judge, you will learn and practice legal writing and persuasion with former Editor-in-Chief of UCLA Law Review Professor Quemars Ahmed.