Most evaluers do not grade by the weight. It is more important to write less information which is readable than to fill many answer sheets with hieroglyphics that evaluers cannot decipher. If the evaluer can’t read it, it is not there. If it is not there, you won’t get credit. It is frustrating when you don’t get credit for something you knew but didn’t clearly communicate.

Make sure your answer is legible. This comment shouldn’t be necessary, but experience tells that it is warranted. Do not assume that the evaluer will be willing to take your paper to the local medical shop to have it deciphered.

Remember, your evaluer may have dozens of separate exam papers to evaluate.

If your answer is difficult to read, you will rarely be given the benefit of the doubt. On the other hand, a legible, well-organized paper creates a very positive mental impact upon the evaluer.

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If you discover that you have left out a word or phrase, you can insert it into the proper place by means of a caret sign (“A“) If you feel that you’ve omitted an entire issue, you can write it on the blank page. An arrow can be used to be inserted.

While it’s not ideal to have your answer take on the appearance of a road map, an arrow to an adjoining page is far preferable to trying to squeeze six lines into one or inserting an asterisk and hoping the evaluer will discover where the symbol is discussed in a subsequent part of your answer.

Legal writing rarely makes for popular reading. It should be precise and to the point. The way the answers are written – law is explained – issues are framed – judgement is written is very important.

Presentation is the Key. Plain English should be your goal in anything you write. Avoid unnecessary verbosity and eradicate redundancy. Avoid pretentiousness.

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Minimize word clusters and compound prepositions. Make your sentences efficient and to the point. Otherwise the evaluer may come to the conclusion that you are unintelligible and that you are not clear on law. Your writing style must indicate/reflect that you are good at the subject.