Need advice on IRAC legal memo Forum

[Nyx]

Hi all,

I am working on a closed IRAC legal memo, but I have never used IRAC before and I'm wondering how to separate the rules from the issues. Basically, I have read several things that say to separate the issues into several sub-issues that address the legal aspects/elements of the main issue, but do I do this and then restate these same requirements in the "rules" portion? I'm a little confused and haven't found an answer on the interwebs yet

[shoeshine]

Hi all,

I am working on a closed IRAC legal memo, but I have never used IRAC before and I'm wondering how to separate the rules from the issues. Basically, I have read several things that say to separate the issues into several sub-issues that address the legal aspects/elements of the main issue, but do I do this and then restate these same requirements in the "rules" portion? I'm a little confused and haven't found an answer on the interwebs yet

What? IRAC on a memo? Do you mean CREAC?

[Nyx]

Hi all,

I am working on a closed IRAC legal memo, but I have never used IRAC before and I'm wondering how to separate the rules from the issues. Basically, I have read several things that say to separate the issues into several sub-issues that address the legal aspects/elements of the main issue, but do I do this and then restate these same requirements in the "rules" portion? I'm a little confused and haven't found an answer on the interwebs yet

What? IRAC on a memo? Do you mean CREAC?

Our prof told us he wanted IRAC. It is a short (1000 word) closed memo and we are not supposed to restate facts. I was hoping I could maybe modify the format a little (to put the conclusion earlier) but I'm a little worried about straying at all from what he said he preferred.

[bdubs]

Issue = Question (i.e. followed by a question mark)
Rule = Answer

Issue: Is a guy who punches you in the face guilty of battery?
Rule: Yes, that guy would have made harmful or offensive contact with your face, so he is guilty of battery.

[random5483]

Issue = Question presented (E.g. Was John Negligent when he did blank?).
Rule = Rule Statement (Negligence has four elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
Analysis = Argument (John was negligent because.......)
Conclusion = Conclusion (Therefore, John was negligent when he did blank).


Technically, you would split the above into four separate IRACs (one for each element). But this should give you the basic idea. Most legal writing memos won't follow IRAC since IRAC is better suited for regular exams. Rather, your professor will probably require CREAC or a variant of CREAC.