Comments on: Case Prep http://trudalane.net/2009/10/23/case-prep/ David Randall's blog of law, the Internet, and current events Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:04:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: drandall http://trudalane.net/2009/10/23/case-prep/comment-page-1/#comment-6551 drandall Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:34:36 +0000 http://trudalane.net/?p=1951#comment-6551 I spoke recently with a student who, after struggling somewhat with case analyses earlier in the semester, has zoomed up the learning curve in a remarkably short time. When asked what he is doing differently he credited the multi-highlighter approach. It helps him focus more closely on and understand the relationship between each component of an opinion, resulting in deeper understanding of the court's reasoning. He uses three colors, not five, to impressive results. I spoke recently with a student who, after struggling somewhat with case analyses earlier in the semester, has zoomed up the learning curve in a remarkably short time. When asked what he is doing differently he credited the multi-highlighter approach. It helps him focus more closely on and understand the relationship between each component of an opinion, resulting in deeper understanding of the court's reasoning. He uses three colors, not five, to impressive results.

]]> By: drandall http://trudalane.net/2009/10/23/case-prep/comment-page-1/#comment-6549 drandall Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:19:32 +0000 http://trudalane.net/?p=1951#comment-6549 Be tolerant of your compulsive brethren and sistren, for someday you may need to borrow a highlighter. Be tolerant of your compulsive brethren and sistren, for someday you may need to borrow a highlighter.

]]> By: Jesse R. http://trudalane.net/2009/10/23/case-prep/comment-page-1/#comment-6545 Jesse R. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:47:59 +0000 http://trudalane.net/?p=1951#comment-6545 I know several people who use this method, and they carry 10 different highlighters with them at all times (while I silently judge them). It works for them, but I use letter codes on the margins of my textbooks instead, A for analysis, H for holding, P and D for the arguments of the plaintiff(s) or defendant(s), and so on. I know several people who use this method, and they carry 10 different highlighters with them at all times (while I silently judge them). It works for them, but I use letter codes on the margins of my textbooks instead, A for analysis, H for holding, P and D for the arguments of the plaintiff(s) or defendant(s), and so on.

]]> By: Tim Grimes http://trudalane.net/2009/10/23/case-prep/comment-page-1/#comment-6541 Tim Grimes Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:15:46 +0000 http://trudalane.net/?p=1951#comment-6541 Very close, and definitely adapt the scheme for whatever is most harped on per professor, but I use: Orange: Procedural History (on appeal, who is suing who, so forth and case holding) Green: Facts (most pertinent ones or your entire case will be colored) Blue: Issue Pink: Rule/Law/Statute etc... Yellow: Reasoning/Rationale So far so good. Thanks for the acknowledgment. TG Very close, and definitely adapt the scheme for whatever is most harped on per professor, but I use:

Orange: Procedural History (on appeal, who is suing who, so forth and case holding)
Green: Facts (most pertinent ones or your entire case will be colored)
Blue: Issue
Pink: Rule/Law/Statute etc…
Yellow: Reasoning/Rationale

So far so good. Thanks for the acknowledgment.

TG

]]>