Study Steps:

Building a Strong Foundation

Read for class

• Use Table of Contents
• Refer to notes from previous class
  • Ask yourself the types of questions your professor asked in class as you read.

Go to Class!

• Take notes
  • Try large margin format - leaving space to put further notes at the end of the week (see below.)
  • On content - the "what" of the case
  • On analytic process - the "why" of the case: questions and reasoning used in class
  • Your professor's emphasis and terms of art, legal principles, and tests
• Participate in class discussion

Review notes after class

• For accuracy
• For comprehensiveness

Review notes before your next class

• For continuity - today's material usually connects back to and is a continuation of yesterday's material
• For memory

Review at the end of the week:

• Look over week's notes for:
  • Whatever your professor emphasized
  • Themes and topics
  • Steps of Analysis
  • Vocabulary
  • Public policy arguments
  • Write at least one practice problem applying this week's topic or theme

End of the unit:

• Review notes
• Organize material
  • Goal: To aid in doing legal analysis
  • Means: By using your choice of: outline, decision tree, flow chart, etc.

© Martha M. Peters, Ph.D. 1999.