APPENDIX A
Upper-Level Writing Requirement Guidelines
Every student is required to research a topic in depth, submit drafts of a paper to the supervising faculty member for revision, and produce a substantial paper on a topic. A minimum grade of “C” is required to satisfy the writing requirement, which may be fulfilled through a seminar, directed research, or writing a journal article as a board candidate. Participation in the two (2)-credit seminar does not satisfy Emory Law's Upper-Level Writing Requirement.
At Emory Law students can fulfill the upper-level scholarly writing requirement in one of three ways – seminar, journal comment, or directed research. Whichever way is chosen, the requirement is the same:
The paper must contain text of at least thirty (30) pages, double-spaced, exclusive of endnotes, tables, table of contents, etc. Moreover, the paper needs to make an original normative argument – it must advance the scholarly conversation on a topic in a new way. A student author can advance the conversation by discussing a problem and offering a novel solution, or he/she/they can offer new evidence in support of a solution that others have already considered. New evidence might, for example, include comparative data from other jurisdictions, empirical evidence from other fields, or theoretical arguments from law or other fields. New evidence might also be derived from examining how various states have handled an issue, in order to reflect on how the federal government should respond to the same issue (or vice versa). The foregoing are examples of ways that a student-authored piece can advance the scholarly conversation; it is not an exhaustive list. The point is that the student’s piece cannot simply describe existing literature or put forth arguments that others have made.
Guidelines for All Papers
Every paper must demonstrate the following:
1. Complete and thorough research of the topic with appropriate and accurate citation to sources used. Research must include reference to (a) primary sources such as case and statutory authority and (b) secondary materials including but not limited to legislative history materials, law review articles, and other works of legal scholarship and non-legal materials where appropriate;
2. Thorough analysis of the researched materials consistent with the logical development of an overall premise or theme;
3. Original analysis including identification of unresolved issues and suggestions for their resolution, conclusions based upon the analysis of the sources, and suggestions for likely future developments where appropriate; and
4. Clear, well-organized discussion of the topic with due regard to the fundamentals of good expository writing, including conformance with grammatical rules, accurate spelling and punctuation, and proper sentence and paragraph structure.
Plagiarism of any part of the paper will result in an “F” and/or other sanctions deemed appropriate by the Professional Conduct Court.
Mechanical Requirements
1. Papers must be a minimum of thirty (30) pages in length, exclusive of footnotes and bibliography. Papers must be typed double-spaced on 8 1⁄2” by 11” paper with one-inch margins and font no larger than twelve (12) points.
2. Footnotes must conform to the rules of citation found in the Uniform System of Citation (the “Bluebook”).
3. A bibliography of sources must be attached to the paper.
Supervisory Requirements
1. Students must submit a topic outline to the faculty supervisor in accordance with a deadline established by the faculty member.
2. Students must submit a first draft to the faculty member in accordance with a deadline established by the faculty member and must meet with the faculty member thereafter to discuss the draft.
3. A substantial draft must be submitted no later than the last day of classes in the semester.
4. The final paper is due no later than the last day of examinations in that semester.
5. With the exception of the minimum length requirement of thirty (30) pages, individual faculty members may vary these requirements at their discretion or impose such additional requirements for outlines, drafts, or conferences as they see fit.