Introduction
Writing a law research paper can be an intimidating task for students unfamiliar with legal research and citation. With the right approach and meticulous follow-through on research strategies, students can write high-quality law papers that hold up to academic scrutiny. This article provides an overview of the law research process and offers best practices for writing law research papers in PDF format.
Research Process
Effective law research follows a multistep process. The first step is to identify a manageable research topic within the scope of a given assignment or area of legal interest. Narrowing down a broad topic into a focused research question helps guide research and analysis. Once a research question is refined, the second step is evaluating available secondary sources like treatises, legal encyclopedias, law reviews and journals, restatements of the law, and other scholarly writings to gain an overview of relevant issues, cases, statutes, and commentary around the topic.
Accessing Primary Sources
After gaining foundational knowledge through secondary sources, the next step is accessing primary legal authorities that directly address the research question. This involves utilizing looseleaf services, state and federal reporters, statutes, administrative regulations, and other government documents to review key cases, statutes, and regulations. When researching digitally, Westlaw and LexisNexis academic databases provide extensive access to primary legal authorities, though public law library databases and free government websites are also valuable research tools.
Outlining the Analysis
Once initial research is complete, the next step is organizing research findings into an analytical framework. This involves outlining the major issues identified, relevant authorities uncovered, and potential counterarguments. The analysis should follow an IMRAD structure with distinct sections for Introduction, Methods, Results/Analysis, and Discussion. Within analysis sections, authorities should be synthesized rather than presented in isolation to develop a cohesive legal argument. Subsequent research may be needed to fill any gaps and refine the analytical framework.
Drafting and Citation
With a clear analytical blueprint, the writing process can commence. Law research papers employ either Bluebook or ALWD citation style guides to cite sources in both footnotes and parenthetical citations. Careful attention to proper citation format prevents plagiarism concerns and establishes credibility. Multiple drafts allow the incorporation of feedback to polish legal analysis and ensure thesis progression, cohesion, depth of authority assessment, and proper Bluebook/ALWD implementation. Proofreading eliminates typos or formatting errors before final submission.
PDF Best Practices
Producing the finished law paper as a PDF allows the submission of a polished, organized final product consistent with law school and legal profession standards. When formatting a law research paper as a PDF, consider the following best practices:
Use consistent formatting like 1-inch margins, 12-point font, and imposed structure (e.g. section breaks for headings) for a cohesive appearance.
Optimize the document for accessibility by including logical headings, alternate descriptions for images, and tagged use of styles for screen readers.
Employ bookmarks to enable quick navigation between major paper sections.
Check that all citations and references are fully rendered and link to source locations in the bibliography.
Proofread in print and onscreen at full zoom to catch minute errors not evident on screen.
Provide professional metadata and security (e.g. no edits allowed except form filling).
Consider archiving the PDF and paper with academic databases for future access or citation.
Conclusion
Following a rigorous research process and precise PDF best practices allows law students to craft high-quality law research papers that meet scholarly expectations. With diligent legal research, meticulous analysis, flawless Bluebook/ALWD citation, and an optimally formatted PDF document, students can demonstrate strong legal analysis and writing skills through law research papers. Adherence to best practices in both substance and form results in papers reflective of law school and professional standards.