What Exactly Does Law Essays Need of You?

Writing an essay, especially on legal topics, requires much more than simply stating opinions or choosing sides in a controversy. Many students misinterpret the purpose of essay questions, which often ask them to "critically discuss" a legal dispute. This command goes beyond merely providing an opinion; it calls for a reasoned, well-supported analysis. To truly excel in law essay writing, you must first construct a compelling thesis and then present it in a way that addresses the central problem posed by the question.

The Significance of a Thesis
At the heart of every successful essay is a clear and concise thesis. A thesis is more than a mere opinion or position on an issue; it is a proposed solution to the problem outlined in the essay question. Students often overlook the importance of resolving the dispute at hand, mistakenly believing that essays are about choosing sides in a debate. While opinions can be a component of the argument, a well-crafted essay must propose, discuss, and demonstrate the validity of its thesis, all while considering alternative viewpoints. The strength of an essay lies in its ability to argue effectively for its position, considering counterarguments and systematically demonstrating why the thesis stands. Without a solid thesis, an essay becomes difficult to follow and is less likely to receive high marks.

The Structure of an Essay
Unlike problem-solving questions that require the resolution of several distinct legal issues, law essay questions usually centre around a single problem. This means that the entire essay should be dedicated to resolving that specific issue. While problem-solving questions often offer a clear structure based on the legal points to be addressed, essays offer more freedom in how they are organised. This freedom can make essay writing more challenging, as students must focus more on their argument, thesis, and overall structure. However, this freedom also allows for more creativity, enabling a well-written essay to stand out among others.

Thorough Argumentation and Analysis
A good essay requires not just a well-defined thesis but also thorough argumentation and legal analysis. The thesis should be summarised in one or two sentences, and this summary can often serve as the conclusion of the essay. However, the bulk of the essay must be dedicated to proving the validity of this thesis while addressing and refuting opposing viewpoints. To do this effectively, students must have a strong understanding of legal analysis and be able to structure their arguments in a cohesive and logical manner.

Essential Skills for Essay Writing
To excel in essay writing, students must develop several key skills. First, they must understand the different types of essays and what each requires of them. Second, they must be proficient in conducting legal analysis, knowing how to break down complex legal issues and present them clearly. Finally, they must know how to structure this analysis in a way that creates a coherent and persuasive argument. If you master these skills, you can ensure that your essays are not only well-written but also insightful and well-reasoned.

In conclusion, essay writing is not simply about taking a side or expressing an opinion. It requires careful analysis, the construction of a strong thesis, and thorough argumentation. If you work on these elements of academic writing, you can write distinctive and persuasive essays to earn high marks for your thoughtful approach to legal issues.
Back to blog

UOL Case Bank

Upon joining, you become a valuable UOL student and gain instant access to over 2,100 essential case summaries. UOL Case Bank is constantly expanding. Speed up your revision with us now.

Subscribe Now

Where are our students from?

Council of Europe
Crown Prosecution Service
Baker Mckenzie 
Yale University
University of Chicago
Columbia University
New York University
University of Michigan 
INSEAD
University of London
University College London (UCL)
London School of Economics (LSE)
King’s College London (KCL)
Royal Holloway, University of London 
Birkbeck, University of London
SOAS, University of London
University of Manchester
University of Zurich
University of York
Brandeis University
University of Exeter
University of Sheffield
Boston University
University of Washington
University of Leeds
University of Law
University of Kent
University of Hull
Queen’s University Belfast
Toronto Metropolitan University
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
University of Buckingham
ESSEC Business School

  • Criminal Practice

    Diagrams and Charts

    Our carefully designed diagrams and charts will guide you through complex legal issues.

  • Criminal Law

    Clear and Succinct Definitions

    Key concepts are concisely defined to help you understand legal topics quickly.

  • Property Law

    Statutory Provisions

    Statutory provisions are provided side by side with legal concepts to help you swiftly locate the relevant legislation.

  • Public Law

    Case Summaries

    We have summarised important cases for you so that you don't need to read long and boring cases.

  • Evidence

    Rules and Exceptions

    Rules and exceptions are clearly listed so that you know when a rule applies and when it doesn't.

  • Company Law

    Terminology

    Legal terms and key concepts are explained at the beginning of each chapter to help you learn efficiently.

  • Case Law

    Case law is provided side by side with legal concepts so that you know how legal principles and precedents were established.

  • Law Exam Guide

    Law Essay Guide

    You will learn essential law exam skills and essay writing techniques that are not taught in class.

  • Law Exam Guide

    Problem Question Guide

    We will show you how to answer problem questions step by step to achieve first-class results.

  • Conflict of Laws

    Structured Explanations

    Complex legal concepts are broken down into concise and digestible bullet point explanations.

  • Legal System and Method

    Legal Research

    You will learn legal research techniques with our study guide and become a proficient legal researcher.

  • Jurisprudence and Legal Theory

    Exam-focused

    All essential concepts, principles, and case law are included so that you can answer exam questions quickly.