Preparing for Class

AuthorBarbara Glesner Fines
Pages15-39
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Chapter Two: Preparing for
Class
Class preparation requires more than simply reading the material.
You will need to re-read and work with the materials -- writing notes,
re-writing notes, practicing applications and preparing outlines. In
this chapter, we will review the critical thinking, reading and writing
skills you will use as you prepare for class.
Critical, Active Reading Skills
Law school requires that you read large quantities of dense material.
You must have efficient reading habits to simply complete your
assignments. You must have critical, active reading habits to be
effective in learning from what you read. The following is a suggested
method for reading your assignments. It is an elaboration of the
classic SQ3R method developed by Professor Frank Robinson at The
Ohio State University in the 1940s.
2
That method suggested that you
approach each assignment by
Surveying
Questioning
Reading
Reciting
Reviewing
This text suggests three more “R”s - Reflecting, Writing, and
Research. The SQ3R method is sufficient if what you are trying to
learn is rote knowledge. But in law school, you are learning to
develop the skills of written and oral analysis. This requires a critical
engagement with the ideas you encounter when you read, not merely
memorization of those rules. Reflection is central to this critical
engagement stopping and thinking about what you are learning, its
possible applications, and the limits of your learning.
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Writing makes your critical reflection very precise. Moreover, writing
is a key legal skill. The best way to improve your writing is to write a
lot. Thus, your note-taking and case-briefing are not only important
to your learning legal doctrine, but are important to mastering the
skills of written legal analysis. In addition, written summaries of your
learning enables your review. The review you must conduct in
learning law is an iterative review: that is, you review today’s
assignment today; then you review this same material again at the end
of the chapter or unit, when you have learned more context that
deepens your understanding; then you review again at the end of the
course, when you must integrate all of your understanding of course
doctrine in a manner that you can apply to new problems. If you
have written notes to review, you will be able to improve this review
each iteration.
Finally, there is a role for research in your law study. At a minimum,
you will need to research vocabulary by regularly using a legal
dictionary to decipher the language of the law. At times, you may
wish to research concepts or cases to clarify or extend your
understanding. You will soon learn that there is rarely time for
elaborate research of each class assignment; however, you must not
overlook the essential research called for to engage your
understanding.
With this modified SQ6R method in mind, consider the following
guidelines for reading for class.
1. Know your assignment and actually read it.
Before you can read efficiently or effectively, you have to know what
to read. Check the syllabus and listen in class for instructor guidance
on your reading assignment. If neither the syllabus nor the instructor
provides guidance, adopt a rule of thumb that reflects the pace at
which you actually cover materials in the class - 20 pages a class, for
example - and read at least that much, regardless of whether you are
expressly assigned materials or not.
Do read what is assigned. Even if the instructor doesn't cover the
material in class. Even if you won't get to the material in class for a
week. Be sure to read everything that you are assigned. If you are

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