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Official Course
Description: MCCCD Approval:
5-26-09 |
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PAR220 2009
Fall – 2009 Fall |
LEC |
3.0 Credit(s) |
3.0 Period(s) |
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Paralegal Writing |
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The use of proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling in the construction of sentences and the development of paragraphs. Covers various types of legal writing including memorandum of law, persuasive writing and legal correspondence. Analysis and application of the writing process to produce well-written documents commonly used in the practice of law. Prerequisites: ENG101. |
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Go to Competencies Go to Outline
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies: |
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PAR220 2009 Fall – 2009 Fall |
Paralegal Writing |
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1. Review
importance of proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling in legal documents.
(I) 2. Develop
well-written sentences and paragraphs. (I) 3. Summarize
the purpose of the stages of the writing process. (I) 4. Describe types
of correspondence used by law firms. (II) 5. Write
a business letter. (II) 6. Describe
types of information contained in a case summary. (II) 7. Review
elements of a demand letter. (II) 8. Prepare
a demand letter. (II) 9. Differentiate
between various types of paralegal writing. (II-IV) 10. Describe
components of a memorandum of law. (III) 11. Prepare
an internal memorandum of law. (III) 12. Explain
persuasive writing techniques. (IV) 13. Explain
rules of court. (IV) 14. Prepare
a “memorandum of points”. (IV) 15. Prepare
case briefs. (IV) |
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MCCCD Official Course Outline: |
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PAR220 2009 Fall – 2009 Fall |
Paralegal Writing |
I. Writing Mechanics
A. Grammar
1. Subject-Verb Agreement
2. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
3. Tense
4. Sentence Fragments
5. Run-On Sentences
6. Modifiers
7. Parallel Structures
8. Word Choice
9. Possessive Form
B. Punctuation
1. Commas
2. Semicolons
3. Colons
4. Parentheses
5. Quotation Marks
6. Hyphens and Dashes
7. Apostrophes
8. Capitalization
C. Sentence Construction
1. Word Choice
2. Voice
3. Length of Sentence
4. Word Arrangement
5. Spelling
D. Paragraph Development
1. Unity
2. Coherence
3. Development
4. Thesis
5. Topic Sentence
6. Transition
7. Headings
E. The Writing Process
1. Audience
2. Plan
3. Draft
4. Edit
5. Revise
6. Proof
II. Legal Correspondence
A. Business Letters
1. Components
2. Format
3. Delivery
B. General Correspondence
1. Confirming Letters
2. Appointment Letters
3. Cover/Transmittal Letters
4. Information Letters
C. Interoffice Communication
D. Case Summaries
E. Opinion Letters
F. Demand Letters
1. Mechanics
2. Format
3. Elements
G. Fax
H. Electronic Communications
III. Memorandum of Law
A. Definition
B. Purpose
C. Components
1. Statement of the Facts
2. Statement of Issue
3. Discussion of Law
4. Application of Case Law
5. Conclusion
D. Format
IV. Persuasive Writing
A. Purpose
B. Rules of Court
1. Form: Blue Book
2. Content
C. Types
1. Memorandum of Points
2. Trial Brief
3. Appellate Brief
D. Features
1. Case Caption
2. Table of Contents
3 Table of Authorities
4. Statement of Facts
5. Issue(s)
6. Summary of Argument
7. Argument
8. Conclusion
9. Signature