Synthesis: Legal reading, reasoning, and writing in Canada

Responsibility: Margaret McCallum, Deborah A. Schmedemann and Christina L. Kunz

Subjects: Legal composition -- Canada.; Interpretation and construction -- Law -- Canada.; Forensic oratory -- Law -- Canada.

Contents: Chapter 1 Introduction: The Lawyer's Roles and the Legal System Chapter 2 The Structure of Legal Rules Chapter 3 Reading Cases Chapter 4 Using Case Analysis to Derive Legal Rules Chapter 5 Reading Statutes Chapter 6 Interpreting Statutes Chapter 7 Reading Commentary Chapter 8 Applying a Rule to Facts: Deductive Reasoning Chapter 9 Applying a Rule to Facts: Reasoning by Example and Policy Analysis Chapter 10 Advisory Writing: Function and Format of the Legal Memo Chapter 11 The Legal Memo: The Discussion Chapter 12 The Legal Memo: Issues, Short Answers, and Conclusion Chapter 13 The Legal Memo: The Facts Chapter 14 Advisory Writing: Function and Format of the Opinion Letter Chapter 15 Advocacy Writing in the Pre-Trial and Trial Settings: Function and Format of the Motion Brief Chapter 16 The Science of Advocacy Chapter 17 Advocacy Writing in the Appellate Setting: Function and Format of the Appellate Factum Chapter 18 The Art and Philosophy of Advocacy Chapter 19 Oral Advocacy Appendix A The Essentials of Clear Communication Appendix B Introduction to Elements of Legal Research and Citation Appendix C Bibliography of Selected Reference Works, Websites, and Blogs