1. Kaplan University - Adjunct Professor Brian Tippens, J.D. - btippens@kaplan.eduMonday, February 01, 2016 1 Legal & Professional Writing Unit One : Preview Units 2 -5 Course Logistics Unit One Review Introduction How this course will help you

2. Kaplan University - Adjunct Professor Brian Tippens, J.D. - btippens@kaplan.eduMonday, February 01, 2016 2 Introduction There is no substitute for effective legal writing. As a paralegal, it will be essential for you to be minimally competent in the basics of professional legal writing. This course covers some of the common errors in writing and ways to avoid them and introduces students to various types of legal documents. This course explores the elements of effective writing in the context of the paralegal profession. You will learn how to brief case law, draft correspondence, prepare a factual report, and draft a memorandum of law. In addition, you will have the opportunity to review, reinforce, and build your skills in the basics of standard written English.

3. Kaplan University - Adjunct Professor Brian Tippens, J.D. - btippens@kaplan.eduMonday, February 01, 2016 3 Course Logistics Weekly seminar format Alternate seminar assignment Review the syllabus To contact the professor: AOL instant messenger E-mail : btippens@kaplan.edubtippens@kaplan.edu “Ask the Prof”

4. Kaplan University - Adjunct Professor Brian Tippens, J.D. - btippens@kaplan.eduMonday, February 01, 2016 4 Unit One Review How this course will help you In this Unit, you will reflect on your personal goals for this course, as well as learn about the material we plan to cover throughout the quarter. You will become familiar with the elements of effective legal writing and consider the importance of such writing to the paralegal profession.

5. Kaplan University - Adjunct Professor Brian Tippens, J.D. - btippens@kaplan.eduMonday, February 01, 2016 5 Unit One Review How this course will help you Shipley v. Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance Co. & NY CLS Sup Ct § 670.10.3 In this activity, you will review one case, Shipley v. Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance Co., 747 S.W.2d 596 (Ky. 1988), and one statute, NY CLS Sup Ct § 670.10-c. Refer to the Library and Legal Research Services page under Course Home for more information about LexisNexis. These readings provide an example on how the law itself guides us as to what constitutes good legal writing. You can find the cases by going to LexisNexis.

6. Kaplan University - Adjunct Professor Brian Tippens, J.D. - btippens@kaplan.eduMonday, February 01, 2016 6 Unit One Review Below is a summary of your assignments for this week. As you know, all of these assignments must be completed before the end of this lesson week. Unit # and TitleLearning ActivitiesAssessments Unit 1: How This Course Will Help You -Read about the case Shipley v. Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance Co. -Introduce yourself to your classmates (graded) -Participate in the Discussion (graded) -Attend the Seminar (graded) -Submit assignment (graded)

7. Kaplan University - Adjunct Professor Brian Tippens, J.D. - btippens@kaplan.eduMonday, February 01, 2016 7 Preview Units 2 -5 UNIT TWO : Analyzing the Facts: The internal Report This Unit will take you through the process of writing an analysis report, which paralegals frequently do on the job. Principles of the writing process, organization, critical thinking, and logical analysis will come into play. As we work through the writing process this week, we will focus on two common writing pitfalls: sentence fragments and run-on sentences. Through discussion and practice, you will soon learn how to recognize, correct, and avoid such writing errors. Assignments Unit # and TitleLearning ActivitiesAssessments Unit 2: Analyzing Facts: The Internal Report -Read Harris Chapter 6, sections 6.1-6.5 -View practicing sentence structures and the mini-lecture. -Participate in the Discussion (graded) -Attend the Seminar (graded) -Submit the internal analysis report assignment (graded)

8. Kaplan University - Adjunct Professor Brian Tippens, J.D. - btippens@kaplan.eduMonday, February 01, 2016 8 Preview Units 2 -5 UNIT THREE: Matters of Style This week you will learn about the active versus passive voice in writing. You will not only learn how to construct the passive voice, but will also understand when to employ this stylistic device in your own writing. In addition, you will be introduced to the apostrophe and the comma and refresh your knowledge of how to use these punctuation marks in your writing. Assignments: Unit # and TitleLearning ActivitiesAssessments Unit 3: Matters of Style, Part I-Read about the mini-lecture and about “the Apostrophe.” -View the web explorer active on passive voice exercises and using punctuation. -Participate in the Discussion (graded) -Attend the Seminar (graded)

9. Kaplan University - Adjunct Professor Brian Tippens, J.D. - btippens@kaplan.eduMonday, February 01, 2016 9 Preview Units 2 -5 UNIT FOUR – Summarizing the Law : Briefing the Case In this Unit, you will learn how to read, analyze, and summarize case law with a view toward applying your analysis to the facts of a case. Through writing case briefs, you will hone the skill of simplicity in legal writing and learn how to avoid wordiness and jargon. Assignment: Unit # and TitleLearning ActivitiesAssessments Unit 4: Summarizing the Law—Briefing the Case - Read Harris Chapter 5 and section 6.4 in Chapter 6 - View the exercises on clarity and plain English. -Participate in the Discussion (graded) -Attend the Seminar (graded) - Submit the case brief project (graded)

10. Kaplan University - Adjunct Professor Brian Tippens, J.D. - btippens@kaplan.eduMonday, February 01, 2016 10 Preview Units 2 -5 UNIT FIVE - Midterm Week Unit 5 is your reading week for this course. Use this time to catch your breath, catch up if needed, and prepare for finishing out the term on a strong note! Assignments Explore ways to use the academic support services. Note: There will not be a quiz, discussion, or seminar this week.

11. Kaplan University - Adjunct Professor Brian Tippens, J.D. - btippens@kaplan.eduMonday, February 01, 2016 11 Adjourn Have a great week… “See” you on the Discussion Boards