Why Do Students Struggle With Writing Persuasive Legal Arguments And How To Overcome This?
Why Do Students Struggle With Writing Persuasive Legal Arguments And How To Overcome This?

No matter the field; every student struggles when it comes to writing academic projects in their respective major. So; just relax and know that you are not alone. There are many students who get professional assistance with their academic projects like an MBA dissertation writing service or writing assistance with any project. However; the nature of struggle varies while writing academic projects as per the nature of the major.
Law students struggle the most when it comes to writing persuasive legal arguments. They can buy literature review help from professionals but they have to rely on their own calibre when it comes to writing persuasive legal arguments. The good news is that the following post will help law students overcome their struggles of writing persuasive legal arguments with utmost efficiency.
All About Persuasive Legal Arguments
You will get to understand a lot about persuasive legal assignments after looking into an example of a legal argument or trying to comprehend the basics of persuasive legal arguments. Basically; a persuasive legal argument is the core of an effective advocacy in the legal field. The purpose of these arguments is to convince a judge, jury, or other legal decision-maker to adopt a particular stance. They require a combination of logical reasoning, factual accuracy, and an understanding of legal principles.
The sign of a strong persuasive legal argument is a clear thesis. Statutes, case law, and legal doctrines support this thesis. The goal is to present legal facts and to frame them in a way that aligns with the desired outcomes. Persuasive legal writing is often used in legal briefs, appellate arguments, and motions.
Key Elements Of Persuasive Legal Arguments Include:
● Understand your audience and customise the argument to resonate with their concerns and priorities.
● Present arguments logically so that each point builds upon the previous one.
● Using legal precedents, statutes, and regulations to strengthen the argument.
● Understand the 5 types of legal arguments that are primary in nature:
1. Textual Arguments
2. Historical Arguments
3. Precedential Arguments
4. Policy Arguments
5. Ethical Arguments
● Use concise and precise language to convey complex legal concepts.
● Address potential opposing views for a balanced perspective.
Reasons Students Struggle With Writing Persuasive Legal Arguments Along With Their Respective Solutions
The basic persuasive elements in writing are claim, grounds and warrant (Abdul Aziz & Ahmed, 2017,). Writing persuasive legal arguments can be an intimidating task for many students. The complexity of the task comes from a combination of academic, practical, and psychological factors. Some common challenges along with their potential solutions include:
1. Lack Of Understanding Of Legal Principles
Students struggle to understand foundational legal concepts and principles which makes it difficult to apply them persuasively.
● Solution:
● Focus on understanding the basics by attending lectures, participating in discussions, and consulting textbooks as well as other supplementary resources.
● Analyse case studies to see how legal principles are applied in real-world scenarios.
2. Weak Research Skills
Effective persuasive arguments rely on strong legal research. Many students find it challenging to locate relevant case law, statutes, and secondary sources.
● Solution:
● Familiarise yourself with legal research platforms like Westlaw, LexisNexis, and HeinOnline.
● Develop a systematic approach to identify keywords, filter results, and evaluate sources.
● Don’t hesitate to ask professors or librarians for help with research strategies.
3. Difficulty In Structuring Arguments
Organising thoughts into a logical and coherent structure can be difficult. Students often struggle to make their arguments flow smoothly.
● Solution:
● Follow the IRAC (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion) structure as it helps in breaking down arguments into manageable sections.
● Draft an outline to organise main points and supporting evidence before writing.
● Study well-written legal arguments to understand effective structuring techniques.
4. Overcomplication
Some students overcomplicate their arguments by using overly technical language or including unnecessary details. This leads to a lack of clarity.
● Solution:
● Use simple language to explain complex legal ideas.
● Review the document to eliminate repetitive words and simplify sentences after drafting.
● Share drafts with professors for constructive criticism.
5. Inadequate Attention To Persuasion Techniques
Students present facts and legal principles without introducing persuasive techniques to connect them to the desired outcome.
● Solution:
● Use ethos (credibility), logos (logic), and pathos (emotion) to strengthen arguments. No matter; how many pages of references should a dissertation have, the added references include credibility (helpwithdissertation.uk, 2024,).
● Frame facts in a narrative manner that relates to the audience.
● Clearly articulate why the desired outcome is just and beneficial.
6. Failure To Address Counterarguments
Inadequately addressing opposing viewpoints weakens an argument’s persuasiveness.
● Solution:
● Identify potential counterarguments and address them directly in your writing.
● Provide logical reasons why the opposing view is less compelling.
● Engaging in mock debates can sharpen your ability to counter opposing arguments effectively.
7. Time Management Issues
Writing persuasive legal arguments is time-consuming and many students struggle to allocate enough time for them.
● Solution:
● Break the task into smaller steps and set deadlines for each stage.
● Focus on high-impact activities like research and outlining before diving into writing.
● Use productivity techniques to avoid procrastination and to stay on track. You can use techniques like the Pomodoro method.
8. Fear Of Making Mistakes
The fear of producing poor-quality work can lead to procrastination or overly cautious writing.
● Solution:
● Understand that the first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. So; instead focus on getting your ideas down and refine them later.
● Use feedback to identify areas of improvement.
● Practice regularly to improve your skills and reduce anxiety.
9. Insufficient Exposure To Real-World Legal Writing
Classroom exercises don’t completely replicate the essence of legal writing in practice.
● Solution:
● Gaining real-world experience exposes students to practical legal writing so participate in internships.
● These competitions simulate real-world advocacy and instil persuasive skills.
● Analyse briefs and judgments are written by expert legal professionals.
10. Limited Knowledge Of Formatting And Citation
Incorrect formatting and citation styles can directly affect the credibility of legal arguments.
● Solution:
● Familiarise yourself with Bluebook or other relevant citation guides.
● Use citation tools to simplify the citation management process.
● Always double-check submission requirements for formatting and style.
Conclusion
Writing persuasive legal arguments is definitely a challenging task for law students but it is also an essential skill for law students. It requires a combination of legal knowledge, research abilities, clear communication, and strategic thinking. Understanding the common challenges and then working on them individually can help students to effectively write persuasive legal arguments.
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