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LEEWS + Getting to Maybe

Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 8:13 pm
by goosey
For those that have used both leews as well as getting to maybe: can you clarify how both approaches can be used?

I understand the leews method: conflict pairings, premise/counter-premise, then issues and discuss. I even have a sense of how the exam should be organized (headers, issue preceding each paragraph, etc)--what I don't understand is where the advice found in getting to maybe fits in here. I'm reading about the forks in the law and arguing for narrow or broad interpretations, but if one is using the leews method, where would these discussions fit in?

I've read a number of people on here that stated they used both, so I am hoping somebody can clarify for me

Re: LEEWS + Getting to Maybe

Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 8:18 pm
by DOOM
also interested in this.

Re: LEEWS + Getting to Maybe

Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 8:23 pm
by legends159
I used both and did well at a top school by basically ignoring the LEEWS method. I wasn't a huge fan on GTM either but it's much better and any inconsistencies between the two should be deferred to GTM

Re: LEEWS + Getting to Maybe

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 5:10 am
by inchoate_con
GTM was nothing but a fork in the road... it's crap. LEEWS, not that great either. However, if you have the money, buy everything. You will develop a hybrid method.

Re: LEEWS + Getting to Maybe

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 7:22 am
by DeSimone
inchoate_con wrote:GTM was nothing but a fork in the road... it's crap.
I thought the GTM section on policy was pure gold.

Get both.

Re: LEEWS + Getting to Maybe

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 9:42 am
by tram988
I bought both and will be working on them next week!

Re: LEEWS + Getting to Maybe

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 10:08 am
by LoyolaLaw2012
I have straight A-/A grades in my classes, so take this advice how you like.

I used LEEWS to learn the basics of exam answers. Also, the system gave me a bit of insight on taking notes and structuring answers for the professor.

I used GTM after my first semester, after knowing the basics of law school exams. The book helped me further develop my answers into multi-layered arguments. I don't think GTM would be as helpful before you take an actual exam. However, that's a personal preference.

Re: LEEWS + Getting to Maybe

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 1:01 pm
by goosey
LoyolaLaw2012 wrote:I have straight A-/A grades in my classes, so take this advice how you like.

I used LEEWS to learn the basics of exam answers. Also, the system gave me a bit of insight on taking notes and structuring answers for the professor.

I used GTM after my first semester, after knowing the basics of law school exams. The book helped me further develop my answers into multi-layered arguments. I don't think GTM would be as helpful before you take an actual exam. However, that's a personal preference.
thanks.

I personally feel comfortable with leews right now, I feel like it gave me good insight as to how to approach my classes/notes and gave me a basic understanding of the law school exam. GTM seems to have helpful advice as well...I just dont know how to implement it alog with leews. I am thinking that it may be possible to put the policy argumets in as counter-arguments? does that sound right? So, for example, I can keep the leews method, start the paragraph with "did X batter Y?" and then in working with the premise-counter premise/argument-counter argumet ping pong use forks in the law to develop each side.

Re: LEEWS + Getting to Maybe

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 1:06 pm
by megaTTTron
LoyolaLaw2012 wrote:I have straight A-/A grades in my classes, so take this advice how you like.

I used LEEWS to learn the basics of exam answers. Also, the system gave me a bit of insight on taking notes and structuring answers for the professor.

I used GTM after my first semester, after knowing the basics of law school exams. The book helped me further develop my answers into multi-layered arguments. I don't think GTM would be as helpful before you take an actual exam. However, that's a personal preference.

Solid advice. I used LEEWS religiously. And I only used the policy section of GTM. Same grades as Loyola.

Re: LEEWS + Getting to Maybe

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 2:17 pm
by RUQRU
Have not read GTM, but did do LEEWS. I am reading Delaney's How to do your Best on Law School Exams. Does anyone have experience combining those two methodologies? They seem very similar but Delaney adds his HATRI system to the issue spotting toolbox.

Re: LEEWS + Getting to Maybe

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 3:16 pm
by Nat1018
For those that have done both, is it more beneficial to do LEEWS before classes start and GTM after? I've just started reading GTM and obviously a lot more of it will make sense after classes have started, but I'm wondering if it's worth a read now or if I'll just have to re-read it during the semester.

Re: LEEWS + Getting to Maybe

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 3:19 pm
by SamSeaborn2016
I suck. What does LEEWS stand for?

Re: LEEWS + Getting to Maybe

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 3:21 pm
by mshflyer
law essay exam writing system
http://www.leews.com/

Re: LEEWS + Getting to Maybe

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 3:54 pm
by Nicholasnickynic
I don't think there is a magic formula. Rather, look at your professors previous exams.

Some like presenting problems where application of the rule could easily lead two ways, and they like you writing both possible applications. On those focus more on GTM.

Some like presenting problems that have more or less a clear answer they are looking for. Focus on LEEWS.

Some like presenting problems with multiple applications, but they really only need you to do one- as long as you spotted the issue and applied a good rule, you're okay.

Some like a hybrid- For instance- they don't mention wether they want MPC or Common Law on a crim law test. Whenever you get to an issue, you would use MPC if thats what you were taught, or you would use CL if thats what you were taught. Then you'll come to an issue where you were taught relevant CL and MPC. In this situation, you apply and compare both rules- a more GTM approach.

I think it really depends on professor. Although all law exams are similiar, the idea that there is one magic formula (chp 1-3 leews + chap 7-9 of GTM) is silly. You just have to be able to understand each for their own merit, look at what the professor wants (based on past exams) and then draw on your leews/gtm skills to give them what they want.

Re: LEEWS + Getting to Maybe

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 3:59 pm
by Nat1018
Nicholasnickynic wrote:I don't think there is a magic formula. Rather, look at your professors previous exams.

Some like presenting problems where application of the rule could easily lead two ways, and they like you writing both possible applications. On those focus more on GTM.

Some like presenting problems that have more or less a clear answer they are looking for. Focus on LEEWS.

Some like presenting problems with multiple applications, but they really only need you to do one- as long as you spotted the issue and applied a good rule, you're okay.

Some like a hybrid- For instance- they don't mention wether they want MPC or Common Law on a crim law test. Whenever you get to an issue, you would use MPC if thats what you were taught, or you would use CL if thats what you were taught. Then you'll come to an issue where you were taught relevant CL and MPC. In this situation, you apply and compare both rules- a more GTM approach.

I think it really depends on professor. Although all law exams are similiar, the idea that there is one magic formula (chp 1-3 leews + chap 7-9 of GTM) is silly. You just have to be able to understand each for their own merit, look at what the professor wants (based on past exams) and then draw on your leews/gtm skills to give them what they want.
Thanks for this. Extremely helpful!

Re: LEEWS + Getting to Maybe

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 7:54 pm
by Hodgy
For the people who used LEEWS, did you use the primer or shell out for the audio CDs that come with the primer?

Re: LEEWS + Getting to Maybe

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 8:05 pm
by Scurredsitless1
Hodgy wrote:For the people who used LEEWS, did you use the primer or shell out for the audio CDs that come with the primer?
The Primer wouldn't make sense without the cds. The audio program is absolutely necessary.