INTRODUCTION TO LEGAL THINKING AND WRITING Make-Up Assignment

1. Garner, Section 5 (10 points): Omit needless words Read: Pages 24-25

Write: Basic Exercises pg. 25

2. Garner, Section 6 (10 points): Keep your average sentence length to about 20 words Read Pages 27-29

Write: Basic Exercises pg. 29

3. Garner, Section 9 (10 points): Prefer the active voice over the passive Read: Pages 36-38

Write: Basic Exercises page 36

4. Garner, Section 23 (10 points): Summarize, don’t overparticularize Read: Pages 78-79

Write: Basic Exercises pg. 79-80

5. Garner, Section 24 (10 points): Introduce each paragraph with a topic sentence Read: Pages 81-82

Write: Basic Exercise Page 82-83

6. Garner, Section 25 (10 points): Bridge between paragraphs Read: Pages 83-87

Write: Basic Exercises pages 87-88

7. Garner, Section 27 (10 points): Provide signposts along the way Read: Pages 92-93

Write: Advanced Exercise pg. 93-94

8. Read the Sewell memo and
1. Identify the topic sentences (5 points)
2. Identify the signposts and bridges (5 points) 3. Copy the topic sentences into an outline, then

a. Identify the function of each paragraph in the memo (10 points). For example, the first paragraph of the Discussion section, which begins, “In Maryland, an employment contract of indefinite duration . . . ” provides an overview of the law of wrongful discharge. Other paragraphs provide a roadmap for the rest of the discussion, analyze caselaw, apply the law to Dr. Sewell’s facts, and address counterarguments.

b. Choose 3 paragraphs (10 points each) and make a separate outline for each paragraph, identifying the function of each sentence in the paragraph. For example, the following paragraph:

Wrongful Discharge. Maryland recognizes the tort of wrongful discharge in cases when the motivation for the discharge contravenes a public policy. Adler, 432 A.2d at 8. In Adler, an at-will employee alleged that he was discharged for disclosing illegal activities in his employer’s corporation. The court held that “Maryland does recognize a cause of action for abusive discharge by an employer of an at-will employee when the motivation for the discharge contravenes some clear mandate of public policy.” Id. at 8. The court held that Adler himself had no cause of action because he did not specify the corporation’s illegal activities and failed to identify which laws his employers had violated. Id. at 6. Though Maryland recognizes the tort of wrongful discharge, it is only available as a remedy when a mandate of public policy has been violated.

might be outlined like this:

Topic Sentence: “Maryland recognizes the tort of wrongful discharge in cases when the motivation for the discharge contravenes a public policy.”

1. “Adler, 432 A.2d at 8”—citation
2. “In Adler, an at-will employee alleged that he was discharged for disclosing illegal activities in his employer’s corporation”—Facts of case
3. “The court held that “Maryland does recognize a cause of action for abusive discharge by an employer of an at-will employee when the motivation for the discharge contravenes some clear mandate of public policy.”—Court’s reasoning 4. “The court held that Adler himself had no cause of action because he did not specify the corporation’s illegal activities and failed to identify which laws his employers had violated. Id. at 6.”—Court’s holding
5. “Though Maryland recognizes the tort of wrongful discharge, it is only available as a remedy when a mandate of public policy has been violated.”— Conclusion