Entries in the Category "Writing Samples"
Anatomy of a Strong Writing Sample
Writing samples are an important part of your application for many legal employers. It is generally fair to say that a strong writing sample may not yield an interview for an average candidate but a weak writing sample can destroy the chances for an interview of an otherwise stellar candidate.
To make sure your writing sample is as strong as possible, we recommend that you follow these guidelines:
- Spell check and review your writing sample for any grammatical errors. Just because you received an "A" on a paper does not mean that it is without errors. Double check it before sending it off.
- Limit your writing sample to a reasonable length. An ideal length for many employers is 6 to 10 pages. If your sample is too long, consider redacting it to showcase your best writing and legal analysis.
- If at all possible, submit a writing sample that is relevant to the employer. For example, if you have written something on securities law and you are applying to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, this would be an obvious choice. Barring that, you should also think about the skills required for the position you are applying for, such as organization, objectivity or persuasiveness, and select a sample that reflects those characteristics.