The Legal Research and Writing Handbook: A Basic Approach for Paralegals [Paperback]

Andrea B. Yelin (Author), Hope Viner Samborn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1999 | ISBN-10: 0735502978 | ISBN-13: 978-0735502970 | Edition: 2 Workbook

<p> Written specifically for paralegal students, the Fifth Edition of <b>The Legal Research and Writing Handbook: A Basic Approach for Paralegals</b> offers comprehensive coverage of both research and writing, dynamic pedagogy, and a clear, step-by-step approach to teaching. </p> <p> <b>A widely popular text, the Fifth Edition continues to build on its strengths</b> : </p> <ul> <li> comprehensive coverage of Legal Research in Part I and Legal Writing in Part II </li> <li> a clear and straightforward writing style </li> <li> a clean and accessible page layout with detailed subheadings for quick access to topics </li> <li> highly efficient research tools and strategies — with both traditional and electronic sources </li> <li> step-by-step guidance through each stage of the writing process — from prewriting strategies, to revising, the IRAC method, legal memoranda, letters, and more </li> <li> dynamic and innovative pedagogy that includes examples, exhibits, expert writing tips, exercises, practice tips, ethics alerts, and web resources </li> <li> a helpful appendices with sections on Shepardizing, Cite Checking, and Citation, as well as Sample Memoranda. </li> <li> a separate student workbook that provides extensive practice opportunities to students in research and writing </li> <li> an in-depth Instructor’s Manual that includes sample syllabi, tests, and memos, as well as discussion topics and in-class exercises </li> </ul> <p> <b>Thoroughly updated throughout, the Fifth Edition features</b>: </p> <ul> <li> new and updated illustrations and websites </li> <li> additional exercises on how to brief a case </li> <li> expanded and enhanced treatment of Case Briefing and Case Analysis </li> <li> internet resources — both free and fee-based — integrated into coverage of the research process </li> <li> additional internet-based research exercises </li> <li> new Net Notes and Practice Pointers </li> <li> updated Citation Appendix reflects the 18th edition of the Blue Book and the 3rd edition of the ALWD Citation Manual, and now offering new citation exercises </li> </ul> <p> If you’re looking for complete and timely coverage of research and writing, examine your desk copy of <b>The Legal Research and Writing Handbook: A Basic Approach for Paralegals, Fifth Edition</b>. It will become immediately apparent why Yelin and Samborn have one of the leading titles in their field. </p>

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 150 pages
• Publisher: Aspen Law & Business Publishers; 2 Workbook edition (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735502978
• ISBN-13: 978-0735502970
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,548,957 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely awful book, May 25, 2003

By 

Lover of Mysteries "avatar_of_ares" (Norridge, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Legal Research and Writing Handbook: A Basic Approach for Paralegals (Paperback)

This book is poorly written and unedited. It is riddled with grammatical errors; the captions for the illustrations and samples are misleading; often the text that can't be distinguished from illustrations because of inconsistent use of fonts and dividing rules.

When one of the authors tried to discuss the difference between the executive, judiciary and legislative branches of the federal government, she forgot to describe the executive or perhaps didn't know what the president's function is.

One of the authors thinks that Black's is a common law dictionary. Perhaps she meant commonly used? No attorney would tolerate a paralegal or legal assistant with such poor communication skills as these authors possess; yet the book is supposed to teach the prospective paralegal to communicate in a legal environment.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Awful book, badly written, obviously unedited, May 20, 2003

By 

Lover of Mysteries "avatar_of_ares" (Norridge, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Legal Research and Writing Handbook: A Basic Approach for Paralegals (Paperback)

This book is poorly written and unedited. It is riddled with grammatical errors; the captions for the illustrations and samples are misleading; often the text that can't be distinguished from illustrations because of inconsistent use of fonts and dividing rules.

When one of the authors tried to discuss the difference between the executive, judiciary and legislative branches of the federal government, she forgot to describe the executive or perhaps didn't know what the president's function is.

One of the authors thinks that Black's is a common law dictionary. Perhaps she meant commonly used? No attorney would tolerate a paralegal or legal assistant with such poor communication skills as these authors possess; yet the book is supposed to teach the prospective paralegal to communicate in a legal environment.

The workbook is sloppily laid out without any thought to the amount of space needed to answer the question adequately. It's misleading when the question only requires a short answer and too much space is provided; the reverse is also true.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Legal Research and Writing Handbook: A Basic Approach, October 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Legal Research and Writing Handbook: A Basic Approach for Paralegals (Hardcover)

Although the Legal Research and Writing Handbook is geared for paralegals, it is a valuable guide for attorneys as well. The authors guide readers through each step necessary to use a research tool. In addition, readers learn how to integrate various research methods to perform comprehensive searches of legal materials. The writing portion of the book also provides a step by step approach to drafting documents. It is an excellent resource for all legal researchers and writers.