The Key to Writing a Good Exam: IRAC, Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion

In this episode…Renee Allen, Assistant Professor of Legal Writing at St. John’s School of Law, explains the most fundamental concept of exam writing; IRAC.   IRAC stands for Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion and it is the ideal framework for thinking about legal issues, writing legal memorandum, and most important to law students, Some key takeaways are: 1. The A in IRAC gets the most points on an exam2. When answering an exam, always explain the “why.”  Why does this fact matter to proving your point?3. IRAC is a skill that takes some time to practice. 4. Law school tests your ability to analyze more than your ability to memorize. About our guest…About our guest...Renee Allen is an Assistant Professor of Legal Writing at St. John’s University School of Law. Before Joining St. John’s she served as the University of Tennessee Law School’s first director of Academic Success, where she developed and taught programs designed to enhance the analytical skills required for success in law school, on the bar exam, and in the practice of law. Her research and teaching interests include educational psychology, andragogy, Millennials, critical race theory, and social justice.Prior to joining UT Law, Allen was a faculty member at Florida A&M University College of Law where she served as the acting director of the Academic Success and Bar Preparation Program. Allen has practiced family law in a metro Atlanta law firm and is a member of the Georgia Bar.You can follow Professor Allen on Twitter @profallentweets-As always, if you have any suggestions for an episode topic, please let us know!You can email leslie@lawtofact.com or tweet @lawtofact.-Find us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!Review us on iTunes, your opinion matters!-Want to stay updated on all things Law to Fact?Join our mailing list by visiting www.LawToFact.com.-This episode is sponsored by Kaplan Bar Review. Getting ready for the bar exam means you’ll need to choose the study program that’s right for you. Kaplan Bar Review will get you ready to take on test day with confidence by offering $100 off live and on-demand Bar Review with offer code Leslie100.Visit kaplanbarreview.com today to sign up.