Learn the skills it takes to succeed as a law graduate with this essential text. Letters to a Law Student, 5th edition, Global Edition by Nicholas J McBride, provides a thorough introductory guide to higher education and learning context for law studies. Voted in the top 6 books that future law students should read, it is an approachable and easy-to-follow guidebook. The text flows as a series of letters between a lecturer and aspiring student, divided into chronological parts from thinking about a law degree to preparing to study law, studying law, writing like a lawyer, and thinking about the future.
McBride adds practical advice throughout the book, supporting your transition from school to studying law as a first-year undergraduate. The 5th edition helps to build confidence and encourages the essential study and legal skills you will need to succeed. Packed with new and revised material, Letters to a law student remains a current and helpful reference.
This text is a great companion for general law modules on skills, legal system, jurisprudence and law, government, and society to keep you thinking critically, analysing and understanding the law.
Preface
About the author
Publisher acknowledgments
PART ONE. THINKING ABOUT STUDYING LAW
Letter 1 What is law?
Letter 2 Five reasons for studying law
Letter 3 Defending the law
Letter 4 Why not do something else?
Letter 5 Is law for me?
PART TWO. PREPARING TO STUDY LAW
Letter 6 Two hard truths
Letter 7 On free speech
Letter 8 Means and ends
Letter 9 Acts and omissions
Letter 10 The many and the few
Letter 11 The harm principle
Letter 12 Justice and rights
Letter 13 How to argue
Letter 14 On doing the LNAT
PART THREE. STUDYING LAW
Letter 15 General tips
Letter 16 Avoiding problems
Letter 17 Making the most of your time
Letter 18 Using a textbook
Letter 19 Reading cases
Letter 20 A brief history of law reporting
Letter 21 Making sense of statutes
Letter 22 Getting through articles
Letter 23 Making the most out of where you are
PART FOUR. WRITING LIKE A LAWYER
Letter 24 How to write an essay
Letter 25 How to write a problem answer
Letter 26 Writing a dissertation
Letter 27 Revising for and doing exams
PART FIVE. AFTER STUDYING LAW
Letter 28 Moving on
APPENDICES
Appendix A
A mini-dictionary of law
Appendix B
End notes
Index
