Overview -- Learning about the legal system -- Research strategy -- How to brief a case -- Introduction to legal analysis -- Purpose, context, and structure -- Make your main themes stand out -- Help the reader to understand you -- Meeting the client -- Introduction to the memo -- The memo : heading, issue, and conclusion -- Practice with drafting memos : headings, issues, and conclusions -- The memo : facts and discussion -- Practice with memos : facts and discussion -- Writing the client opinion letter -- Practice with client letters -- Advising the client -- Negotiation -- Communicating electronically -- Drafting pleadings -- Practice with pleadings -- Writing persuasively -- Writing pretrial motions -- Introduction to writing briefs -- Appellate process and standard of review -- The appellate brief : the introductory parts -- The appellate brief : statement of facts ; summary of argument -- Practice in writing the statement of facts and summary of argument -- The appellate brief : argument and conclusion -- Basic principles of oral communication -- The appellate argument.