Writing Sample Question Forum

[canosodaooo]

Half way done with my summer job and haven't really had a chance to get a good writing sample. I do have somethings I could use, but overall everything I've done has been rushed and not heavily edited.

I am wondering if it is looked down upon to use a brief/ memo from 1L writing classes at OCI. I got a a very good grade on my brief and don't think I could get a better writing sample since it is as close to perfect as I think I can get a writing sample. Has a potential employer ever asked for a writing sample specifically from a job? I am wondering if I should just get something just in case. Or should I throw out the idea of using a brief from class?

[canosodaooo]

Anybody have any advice on this?

[Anonymous User]

I am using my appellate brief. A wise professor of mine said that using an appellate brief is proper for most employers.

[jess]

.

[tmgarvey]

If your brief from class represents your best work, by all means use it. Very few law students are going to be preparing finished products for submission to court in a summer job. Your goal is to show that you can write. Whatever displays that to your best advantage is what you should submit as a writing sample.

[Anonymous User]

I was considering using a memo I wrote for journal applications. Thoughts?

[kalvano]

I was considering using a memo I wrote for journal applications. Thoughts?

You submit a memo for journal applications?

Most of the journals I've heard about require you write one on a predetermined topic.

[Anonymous User]

I was considering using a memo I wrote for journal applications. Thoughts?

You submit a memo for journal applications?

Most of the journals I've heard about require you write one on a predetermined topic.

Ya it was a predetermined topic and we were required to write a memo on the topic. It wasn't something I pulled from writing class and submitted. Just generally, would something written specifically for a journal application, assuming it was quality work, be an apporpiate writing sample to send to a firm?

[kalvano]

I was considering using a memo I wrote for journal applications. Thoughts?

You submit a memo for journal applications?

Most of the journals I've heard about require you write one on a predetermined topic.

Ya it was a predetermined topic and we were required to write a memo on the topic. It wasn't something I pulled from writing class and submitted. Just generally, would something written specifically for a journal application, assuming it was quality work, be an apporpiate writing sample to send to a firm?

Sure. I don't think it matters where it comes from, as long as it is quality work.