Invariably, it is this for which I write: the joy … of an argument firmly made, like a nail straightly driven, its head flush to the plank.— George Will
Learning to write like a lawyer is perhaps the greatest challenge of legal education, and even practiced attorneys can work at making their arguments more persuasive and cogent.
The Writing Center does not guarantee better grades. Nor do we offer proofreading or editing services, or assist in analyzing substantive legal issues. Instead, we advise on issues of style, mechanics, and argument structure; writing for particular audiences; and choosing rhetorical strategies. We encourage students to become stronger legal writers by taking an active part in their own writing process.
The Law School Writing Center provides students with individualized, professional writing help at no charge. Please read the Frequently Asked Questions and feel free to contact the Writing Center if you need additional information about this service.
How can the writing consultant help me?
The writing consultants are available to talk with you about any of your law school-related writing. They can advise on issues of grammar, clarity, argument structure, and rhetorical strategies. The consultants cannot guarantee better grades, help you contest a grade, or assist with your understanding of legal issues.
How long does a session last?
Generally, meetings last about 45 minutes. If you need more time, it's best to schedule multiple appointments over several days.
What should I do to prepare for the session?
To optimize your time with the writing consultant, please email the writing center, at least 24 hours in advance, and include:
Then, bring any assignment prompts and related notes to your writing consultation.
I don't even have a draft written yet. May I still schedule an appointment?
Certainly. The writing center is here as a resource for you during any stage of your writing process. The consultant can help you devise a plan for your writing assignment, talk with you about problems like writer's block, discuss ESL concerns, and provide you with useful handouts.
Will anyone else know about my writing consultation?
No. Your visit to the writing center is completely confidential. However, many faculty members encourage students to utilize the writing center's services. If you would like your professor to know that you visited the center, the writing consultant can send him/her a note.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Email the writing consultant at: Writing-Center@mail.law.utexas.edu. Be sure to include your name and a contact phone number in your message. Alternatively, you may drop by during office hours to set up an appointment.
How do I get to the Writing Center?
The Writing Center is located on the ground floor of TNH in the East wing of the building near CCJ, in a suite of cubicles along with the Multicultural Center. The Writing Center is the middle cubicle.
Who is the writing consultant?
Dafydd Wood is a doctoral candidate in Comparative Literature. In addition to academic articles he has also published a poem for the website of the literary journal McSweeney's and a book of translations from the French poetry of Guillaume Apollinaire. Additionally he has translated an essay by the critic Pierre Borhan on the photography of Toni Catany for the journal 21st. He works on European and American Modernism, particularly Classical Literature's influence upon it. He also specializes in poetry and prosody. He worked in the Undergraduate Writing Center for two years and taught a number of classes for the Division of Rhetoric and Writing including the Rhetoric of Politics and Poetry and Rhetoric 306.
The Law School Writing Center
The University of Texas School of Law
Townes Hall, 2.218 B
727 E. Dean Keeton Street
Austin, Texas 78705
(512) 232-2346
Writing-Center@law.utexas.edu