31-point checklist to write an award-winning legal article or blog

Writing a legal article or blog can be challenging, but with the right approach, it can be done effectively. This brief will provide tips and guidelines for drafting a legal article or blog, including how to select a topic, conduct research, use clear and concise language, and format your work for publication.

Here you go!

Selecting a topic for the research

Selecting topics for law articles can be challenging, but with a little bit of thought and planning, you can find a topic that is both interesting and relevant to your audience. Here are some tips for selecting topics for law articles:

Consider your audience. Your topic should be of interest to your readers and relevant to their needs. Think about the types of people who will be reading your article and what they might be interested in learning more about.

Stay current. Legal issues are constantly changing, so it’s important to choose a topic that is timely and relevant to current events. This will help keep your readers engaged and ensure that your article is providing them with the most up-to-date information.

Think about your area of expertise. If you have a specific area of expertise, it can be helpful to focus on topics that are related to your field of study. This will help you provide your readers with valuable insights and information that they may not be able to find elsewhere.

Look for gaps in current legal literature. Research on the legal topic you are interested in, check for gaps in the current legal literature, and try to write about those gaps or unexplored areas, this can increase your chances of getting published in a journal or law review.

Explore controversial issues. Controversial issues can be a great source of inspiration for legal articles. These topics can spark debate and generate interest from readers, but it’s important to make sure you are presenting a balanced and objective perspective.

Utilize legal research tools. There are many legal research tools available online, such as LexisNexis and Westlaw, which can help you find recent court decisions, statutes and regulations on a specific topic. This can be a great starting point for finding a topic that is both relevant and interesting.

Keep in mind the legal trends. Keep an eye on legal trends and emerging issues, such as changes in laws and regulations, as these can be good sources for article topics.

Best practices to write a legal article

Drafting a legal article or blog can be a challenging task, but with the right approach, it can be done effectively. Here are some tips for drafting a legal article or blog:

Start with a clear thesis or main point. Your article or blog should have a specific focus or argument that you are trying to make. This will help guide the rest of your writing and keep your readers engaged.

Conduct thorough research. Before you begin writing, make sure you have a good understanding of the topic you are writing about. This will require you to research relevant laws, cases, and other sources of information that will help you make your argument.

Use clear and concise language. Legal writing can be dense and difficult to understand, so it’s important to use clear and concise language that your readers can easily understand. Avoid using legal jargon or complex terms that your readers may not be familiar with.

Use examples and anecdotes. To help illustrate your points, use real-life examples and anecdotes that your readers can relate to. This will help make your writing more engaging and easier to understand.

Use evidence to support your argument. Legal writing relies heavily on evidence to support your argument, so make sure you are using credible and reliable sources to back up your claims.

Be objective. In legal writing, it is important to be objective, meaning that you should not let your personal opinions influence your writing. You should present the facts and the law as they are and let your readers form their own opinions.

Edit and proofread your work. Before you publish your article or blog, make sure you have thoroughly edited and proofread your work. This will help you catch any errors or mistakes and ensure that your writing is clear and error-free.

Provide references and citations. Legal writing requires proper referencing and citations, so make sure you are providing the necessary information for readers to follow up on the sources you used.

Remember, a legal article or blog is a way to educate the readers on the legal topic, so make sure to make it easy to understand and informative.

Formatting your article

Formatting a legal article is an important aspect of legal writing, as it helps to make your work clear, organized, and easy to read. Here are some key points to keep in mind when formatting your legal article:

Use a clear and consistent structure. A legal article should have a clear and consistent structure that includes an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. The introduction should provide an overview of the topic and the main points you will be discussing. The body of the article should be divided into sections or paragraphs that present your argument and evidence in a logical and organized manner. And the conclusion should summarize your main points and provide your readers with a sense of closure.

Use headings and subheadings. Headings and subheadings are an effective way to organize your legal article and make it easy for readers to follow the flow of your argument. Headings should be used to indicate the main sections of your article, while subheadings can be used to break up the body of your article into smaller, more manageable chunks.

Use footnotes or endnotes. Legal writing often involves citing sources, so it’s important to use footnotes or endnotes to provide your readers with the necessary information. Footnotes or endnotes should be used to indicate the source of any quotes or information that you use in your article.

Use proper citation format. Make sure you are using the proper citation format, such as Bluebook or OSCOLA. This will help you properly cite the sources you use in your article and ensure that your readers can easily find the sources you cite.

Use clear and consistent font and formatting. The font and formatting of your legal article should be clear and consistent, so that it is easy for readers to read and follow. Use a font that is easy to read, such as Times New Roman or Arial, and use consistent formatting throughout your article.

Avoid using overly complex or specialized language. Legal writing can be dense and difficult to understand, so it’s important to use clear and concise language that your readers can easily understand. Avoid using legal jargon or complex terms that your readers may not be familiar with, as they can make your article more difficult to understand.

Use bullet points, tables, and figures to highlight important information. Bullet points, tables, and figures can be useful for highlighting important information and making your article more visually appealing.

Proofread and edit your work. Before you submit or publish your legal article, make sure you have thoroughly proofread and edited your work. This will help you catch any errors or mistakes and ensure that your writing is clear and error-free.

How does a legal article differ from a legal research paper?

A legal article or blog is different from a legal research paper in several ways, including the purpose, format, and audience.

Purpose: The primary purpose of a legal article or blog is to inform and educate the general public or legal professionals on a specific legal topic, whereas the primary purpose of a legal research paper is to present original research and analysis on a specific legal issue.

Format: Legal articles or blogs typically have a more informal and conversational tone, whereas legal research papers are more formal and academic in tone. Legal articles or blogs are shorter in length, usually around 800 to 1500 words, whereas legal research papers are much longer, typically around 10,000 to 20,000 words.

Audience: Legal articles or blogs are typically aimed at a broader audience, including the general public, legal professionals, and law students, whereas legal research papers are usually intended for a specific academic audience of legal scholars and researchers.

Language and Jargon: Legal articles or blogs try to avoid legal jargon and complex legal terms, and use simpler language that can be easily understood by a general audience. On the other hand, legal research papers use a more technical language and legal jargon, which is more appropriate for academic research.

Research and Analysis: Legal articles or blogs tend to provide an overview of a legal topic and its current state, whereas legal research papers provide an in-depth analysis of a specific legal issue. Legal research papers are expected to cite legal authorities, case laws and statutes to support the argument.

Citations and references: Legal research papers require proper referencing and citations, whereas legal articles or blogs often do not require formal citations, but it is still good practice to provide references and citations for the sources used.

Publication: Legal research papers are typically published in academic journals, law reviews, or as a part of a thesis or dissertation, whereas legal articles or blogs are typically published online or in legal publications.

Impact: Legal research papers tend to have a more significant impact on the legal community as they present original research and analysis on a specific legal issue, whereas legal articles or blogs have a more general impact as they are intended to inform and educate the general public and legal professionals about a specific legal topic.