Here's another tip on the IRAC formula, specifically tailored to NCA exams. One common mistake students make is mishandling the application of IRAC. Here's how I suggest you use it effectively.
ISSUE:
Begin by listing all the issues that need addressing in the problem question. Number these issues to structure your essay on the exam. For instance, Issue 1: Can Jennifer be convicted of s139 of the Criminal Code?
RULES:
This is where many students stumble. Avoid the trap of listing and describing general rules of a particular area of law extensively. Spending pages on the history, changes, and legal test interpretations is unnecessary, especially in open book NCA exams.
CORRECT ✓ - Briefly identify and explain the applicable rules and reasons. That's all you need.
APPLICATION/ANALYSIS:
The bulk of your writing should be in this section. Demonstrate how the legal tests you identified in the rules section apply to the specific case in the problem question. Avoid merely restating facts; instead, link the legal rules to the unique fact pattern. Limit general discussions of law and use them only when relevant to analyze the fact pattern.
CONCLUSION:
Keep your conclusion concise and to the point. Marks are usually not heavily awarded in this section since the actual conclusion matters less in most cases.
Comments
Post a Comment