ANSWERING ESSAY QUESTIONS

Assalamu'alaikum.

Here are some tips on how to answer essay questions.


Relevancy

• aiming and focusing on specific questions.
• try to maintain on the right track and give the relevant answer.

Getting at the point

i. Before answering, try to analize the question.

ii. There are many types of question such as:

     a) To discuss about some purposes of something regarding to law or act or enactment

     b) Questioning many points in one questions. Related all points on what is being asked.

iii. If you do not understand and the question is not clear, avoid it and answer the questions which are more clear to you.


Introducing Cases

1. Do not separate a proposition of law and cases in different paragraph. This is the way that lawyer give the authority.
2. Citation of cases must be followed by legal principle.
3. Try not to bundle many cases in one paragraph!

The succinct way of stating cases

• Method 1: Mention the principle of the case, its name, its facts, the argument counsel, or the losing, the decision of the court before with the same case reason for the decision and the obiter dicta (if any).
• Method 2: If the time is limited, state the rule of law, put full colon, name of the case, decision of the court and some understanding facts.

Criticism

• we can criticize the point or statement as is it is opened to criticism
• in criticizing, the main purpose of the exam was achieved, because there is an discussion
• but do not formulate or conclude your points and disagreements without examinating their probabilities!

Arrangement and wording

• if capable, express your point in single sentences only
• try to use basic and normal law language
• examiners are human being too, so try to entertain them with your writing
• show your humbleness in writing
• you need to understand that legal writing is different  with oral submission
• do not often use passive sentences

Have a blast on your exam!

Thank you.