Includes bibliographical references and index.

An introduction to American law -- Rule-based reasoning -- An introduction to judicial decisions and statutes -- Briefing cases -- The art of legal writing -- The process of writing -- Office memoranda -- Initially obtaining the facts: client interviewing -- Predictive writing -- A paradigm for organizing proof of a conclusion of law -- Varying the depth of rule proof and rule application -- Combining proofs of separate conclusions of law -- Working with the paradigm -- Selecting authority -- Working with precedent -- Working with statutes -- Working with facts -- Paragraphing -- Effective style -- Citations and quotations -- Client advice letters -- Demand letters -- How to write exam answers -- Developing a persuasive theory -- Developing persuasive arguments -- Handling the procedural posture -- Motion memoranda -- Point headings and sub-headings -- Statements of the case -- Questions presented -- Appellate practice -- Appellate briefs -- Writing the appellate brief -- Oral argument.