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I'm using my Legal Writing final assignment as a writing sample. It got a high honors grade (limited number given out), but it doesn't appear on our transcript b/c we don't get LW grades until Spring. In the close of my cover letter, do I say I'm including this writing sample, which received high honors -- or is that incredibly tacky?

Thanks.

Don't mention that. If the writing sample is that good, it will be apparent from reading it.

kaiser wrote:Don't mention that. If the writing sample is that good, it will be apparent from reading it.

Got it. Thanks.

Germaine wrote:I'm using my Legal Writing final assignment as a writing sample. It got a high honors grade (limited number given out), but it doesn't appear on our transcript b/c we don't get LW grades until Spring. In the close of my cover letter, do I say I'm including this writing sample, which received high honors -- or is that incredibly tacky?

Thanks.

Get your Legal Writing instructor to write a letter of rec. He/She can say that your assignment was one of of the best in the class.

rpupkin wrote:

Germaine wrote:I'm using my Legal Writing final assignment as a writing sample. It got a high honors grade (limited number given out), but it doesn't appear on our transcript b/c we don't get LW grades until Spring. In the close of my cover letter, do I say I'm including this writing sample, which received high honors -- or is that incredibly tacky?

Thanks.

Get your Legal Writing instructor to write a letter of rec. He/She can say that your assignment was one of of the best in the class.

That's a good idea. Several of the jobs do not want letters, so I was thinking in terms of those I guess.

Germaine wrote:

rpupkin wrote:

Germaine wrote:I'm using my Legal Writing final assignment as a writing sample. It got a high honors grade (limited number given out), but it doesn't appear on our transcript b/c we don't get LW grades until Spring. In the close of my cover letter, do I say I'm including this writing sample, which received high honors -- or is that incredibly tacky?

Thanks.

Get your Legal Writing instructor to write a letter of rec. He/She can say that your assignment was one of of the best in the class.

That's a good idea. Several of the jobs do not want letters, so I was thinking in terms of those I guess.

Really? So the job posting says something like "please do not submit letters of recommendation"?

rpupkin wrote: Really? So the job posting says something like "please do not submit letters of recommendation"?

Sort of? It's done via Symplicity, and so our upload options are forced by the employer. No letters of rec, and they specifically said no email submissions, etc.

I would just have a cover page on the writing sample and write it on there. I don't personally think it's tacky, depending on phrasing. As long as you don't gush about how amazing it was I don't think it's going to matter.

TBH though, it probably won't matter much either way. Do people actually read writing samples?

Not sure. I know someone who received the highest grade on both major LRW assignments & noted it on his/her resume with great results; nevertheless, simply receiving a high grade in a LRW sample might not be enough to note on a cover letter because it is not a major accomplishment. In your case, it might be better just to let your work "speak for itself."

I think it's fine/worth it to put the grade on the cover sheet (when it's good).

To be blunt: It's not tacky, but it it may generate laughter. Don't do it.

i would have a cover sheet on the writing sample that says what class you wrote it for, that it has not been edited by anyone besides you, and what grade you received

In my opinion, the real issue is whether or not the reader likes your writing style, not whether or not you received a high grade on the paper. A high grade on a piece deemed by the reader to be of only average quality might raise additional questions.

CanadianWolf wrote:In my opinion, the real issue is whether or not the reader likes your writing style, not whether or not you received a high grade on the paper. A high grade on a piece deemed by the reader to be of only average quality might raise additional questions.

Yeah, but, as a previous poster suggested, employers sometimes don't bother reading writing samples. I suspect this is especially true for 1L summer hiring. An employer will, however, have time to read that the applicant got a top grade in a legal writing class.

CanadianWolf wrote:In my opinion, the real issue is whether or not the reader likes your writing style, not whether or not you received a high grade on the paper. A high grade on a piece deemed by the reader to be of only average quality might raise additional questions.

I don't think this is going to happen. Grade on cover sheet is totally fine. It's a perfectly reasonable accomplishment to note, and it gives the reader some kind of context for performance within the artificial constraints of a LRW assignment.

Based on what ? Regardless, it's obvious that opinions differ. If the firm asked for a writing sample, then that's what they want--otherwise the firm would have requested your LRW grade or grades to date.

Or employers figure you submit a writing sample with a cover sheet explaining stuff about it. Telling someone you're submitting a writing sample to how that sample was assessed isn't a weird thing to do.

(Based on my experience job searching, anyway. What is your opinion based on?)

It's clear that we disagree on this point. It's not worth any further debate.