Unit 8 Discussion: Revisions

Discussion Overview

This discussion forum will help you develop your skills of revision in the writing process and collaboration in the revision process.

Grading

This assignment is worth 60 points: (20 points for following directions, 10 points for Original post instructions 2 and 3; and 10 points each for your replies).

Note: You will not be able to view the posts of your classmates until you submit your initial post.

 

Deliverables

Your participation in the discussion forum, including:

· A clear, specific, and detailed response to the initial question(s) below

· Clear, specific, and detailed, responses to at least two other students’ posts

 

Discussion Directions

Step 1 Review:

· The instructional materials from Units 1-7

Step 2 Post:

Pull an Assignment or an Original Discussion Post and, based upon the knowledge base you have now built through this course,

· revise either two paragraphs of the Assignment 
or
,

· revise the entire Original Discussion post.

In an original post (not an attached document to an original post) include the following (in the following order):

1. Original text: Copy and paste into your new post a copy of the original post or two assignment paragraphs you are going to edit.

2. 2nd draft of text: The revised version

3. Writer’s Revision Note: Underneath the revised versions of either the two assignment paragraphs or the revised original post, write a revision note in a new paragraph explaining what you did in your revision process and what feedback you would like from your classmate/colleague.

4. When you are ready to copy and paste the revised text into an original post in this discussion forum.

Step 3 Reply:

· Review two classmates’ original posts in this discussion forum and provide the revision feedback they are requesting in their original post.

Unit 6 Assignment: Communicating Effectively in Writing Through a “Predictive” Office Memo 

Grading

This assignment is worth 40 points. 

Assignment Overview

A legal memorandum serves many different functions. Sometimes, you are asked to take the law and argue that the law is in your client’s favor. Other times you might be asked to argue how that law specifically defeats your opponent’s case. This is known as “persuasive” writing—the memorandum seeks to persuade the reader of a specific idea.

In the “memo” below, your job is not to persuade, but rather to research, and apply the law. To “tell it like it is.” Your boss is asking you to apply a case to your client’s particular facts and let her know if the case is going to help or hurt her new client, Sam Nguyen. You are asked to make a prediction—and write a “predictive” or objective legal memorandum. This memo will go to your boss, not the court, which is known as an “interoffice” (within the office) memorandum.

To: Paralegal

From: Attorney Susan Maruca

Re: Client/ Sam Nguyen; Postsecondary Child Support

Date: May 19, 2019

I was just hired to represent the obligor in a child support case in Allegheny County Domestic Relations Court (Pennsylvania). The last time I represented someone in a similar situation, the Blue v. Blue case was in effect. Can you pull the case in Nexis Uni, write a memo briefing Blue, and let me know if it is still good law? Thanks.

Assignment Directions

1. Respond to the memo above by writing an objective or predictive memorandum.

2. The memo must include a case brief using the IRAC method covered in Unit 3.

3. The memo must be properly cited using Bluebook citations.

4. Upload your memo

 

Time Management and Helpful Tips

· The estimated time to complete the legal memo is 3-4 days of daily work on this project of approximately 3 hours. This time frame enables you to review the case law and write a preliminary outline before composing a draft of the memo. It would also allow you to spend time revising your memo to achieve the goals stated in your rubric.

· Find a quiet place to write and let family and friends know that phones will be turned off during this work time. Try to write in the same location each time so that you develop a work routine. Write a note to yourself before you end your reading/writing session reminding yourself where you left off and what you want to do when you start writing again next time. These notes save significant time when you sit down again to get started. Remember, writing takes time and revision—your first draft is a first attempt to compile your thoughts and ideas. There will be parts that are useful and parts to throw away. Don’t be afraid to eliminate early writing—professional writing is a product that is built and rebuilt until it is clear, organized, and responsive to the assigned task.

· Read your final draft out loud to make sure that you haven’t missed confusing language or typographical errors that spellcheck will not catch. Clients and managing attorneys expect professional writing.