Essay structure for extended responses

1. Secrets to Essay
Writing in Legal
Studies
Mr Shipp, 2017

2. “If you fail to plan you plan to fail”

3. • Question:
• Evaluate the effectiveness of legal
responses achieving just outcomes for
Young People

4. CompletelyIneffective
CompletelyEffective
ArgumentIntent

5. Shipp’s Six Sentence Structure Level 1
1. Topic Sentence
(THEME)
2.Elaboration
Sentence
3. Case Example
Sentence
4. Explain Relevance
Sentence (LAYER)
5. Counter Argument
Sentence (HOOK)
6. Reflect Sentence
(LINK)
EFFECTIVENESS
INEFFECTIVE
ARGUE BACK TO THE QUESTION AND
REINFORCE
YOUR ARGUMENT INTENT

6. Resource
Efficiency Protection/
Recognition
of Rights
Enforceability
Equality
Justice
International
Law
Application
of the Rule
of Law
Accessibility
Meeting
Society’s Needs
Effectiveness Criteria
Responsiveness
of the Law

7. Shipp’s Essay Structure Level 2
Essay 1 - Structure and Framework of
Paragraphs
15-18 Marks
Essay 2 - Legal Examples (Rubric)
19-20 Marks
Essay 3 - ARGUMENT - Topic/Hook/
Reflect Sentences
21 Magic Mark
Essay 4 - Effectiveness Examples
Layering
22-23 Marks
Essay 5 - Professional Legal Layering 24-25 Marks

8. Shipp’s Essay Timeline Level 3
QUESTION
Start with a question related to the topic or given to
you in the notification
RESEARCH
It is important to gather your legislation, cases, news
articles, statistics professional opinions and documents
PLANNING
Plan your structure, argument intent, effective/
ineffective layers, paragraph building
FEEDFORWARD
General advice can be given to you by me. This will
help to discuss your writing development and plan
EXAMINATION Assessment Task under timed conditions
FEEDBACK
Formal feedback will be written on your response and
it is important to learn from this advice for next time
REFLECTION
Student reflection is crucial to improving the next
time you write in Legal Studies. Focus on Areas of
Strength and Areas of Improvement

9. Email Essay Tennis
adrian.shipp1@det.nsw.edu.au
YOU
THE ESSAY
MR SHIPP