ATENEO DE MANILA

UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

COURSE SYLLABUS
Legal Writing
Two (2)
2nd Semester, S.Y. 20142015
Department/Track: Legal Research and Writing
Department

Course Title:
No. of Units:
Semester/ SY:

Instructors:
Atty. Oscar Carlo F. Cajucom

Pre-requisites:
I.

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES

The course will focus on the fundamentals of effective legal writing and introduce the students
to the basic principles of writing good business correspondence, legal memoranda, affidavits,
and pleadings.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

Appreciate and observe the diligence required for effective legal writing;
Write more clearly and effectively; and
Recognize the ethical and professional responsibilities involved in legal writing.

Methodology
Lectures and recitations, as well as writing and other exercises.

II. COURSE OUTLINE

Week/
Date
Week 1
November 4
Week 2
November 11
Week 3
November 18
Week 4
November 25
Week 5
December 2
Week 6
December 9
Week 7
December 16
Week 8
January 6
Week 9
January 27

Topic/Activity
Introduction
Writing Exercise
Introduction to Writing
Effective Writing
Effective Writing
Effective Writing
Introduction to Legal Writing
Legal Citation
Facts

Week 10
February 3
Week 11
February 10
Week 12
February 17
Week 13
February 24
Week 14
March 3
Week 15
March 10

Arguments
Writing Legal Opinions
Writing Basic Pleadings and Motions
Writing Basic Pleadings and Motions
Writing Trial Memoranda
Other Writing Exercises

III. REFERENCES AND OTHER MATERIALS

Principal References:
Required Readings: ROBERTO A. ABAD & BLESSILDA B. ABAD-GAMO,
FUNDAMENTALS OF LEGAL WRITING (2014); NOAH A. MESSING, THE ART OF ADVOCACY
(2013); and the ATENEO LAW JOURNAL LEGAL CITATION GUIDE (2011); 1997 RULES
OF CIVIL PROCEDURE (subdivisions to be assigned in advance)
Optional Readings: SALVATORE J. IACONE, WRITE TO THE POINT (2003); JACQUES
BARZUN, SIMPLE & DIRECT: A RHETORIC FOR WRITERS (2001); and TOM MCKEOWN,
POWERFUL BUSINESS WRITING (1992)

IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING SYSTEM

Course
Requirements
Attendance,
participation,
quizzes, and
writing exercises
Midterm exam
Final exam

Grade Breakdown
40%

30%
30%

V. COURSE POLICIES
1. Attendance will be checked at the start of every class. The Law Schools rules and
regulations on attendance apply.
2. Students may step out one at a time to go to the comfort room.
3. Step out of the class if you need to use your mobile phone. Laptops and similar gadgets
may be used for taking down notes or researching for class as long as they are put on
silent mode or the speakers are turned off.
4. Announcements, assignments, and case problems will be uploaded through an
electronic mailing group.
5. Any form of plagiarism in any written submission will merit a grade of 60% for that
assignment, subject to the Law Schools Plagiarism Policies and Disciplinary Procedures.

VI.

CONTACT AND OTHER INFORMATION

Email Addresses: ofc@cltpsj.com.ph or ocfcajucom@gmail.com

Consultation schedule: After class or on appointment