BRIEF: ROUGH DRAFT ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
So far in this course, all assignments have focused on an objective view of the facts and cases.
You have read and drafted case briefs that have objectively examined the facts and law of a case.
Then, you drafted an objective, predictive office memo. Now, we are going to switch gears from
being an objective observer to being an advocate. You will continue with the same cases with
which you have been working for this assignment. Nothing about the law will be changing. The
only change you will be making is switching from objective to persuasive writing for a client.
A brief, contrary to its description, is not brief at all. It is a persuasive argument presented to a
court. Briefs are filed by the attorneys, generally in an appellate court. The brief outlines and
explains the issues, facts, law, and analysis that the court will need to perform. However, each
side will file a brief with the court that takes all of this information and presents it in a persuasive
manner.
The great news is that you have already done a lot of hard work(SEE ATTACHED PREDICTIVE MEMO PRIOR WORK). You have read and briefed all of
the cases that you will use for this assignment. You have even drafted a discussion section with
all four of the rule explanation paragraphs you need. However, now you are going to switch from
being objective to being persuasive. For the brief, you will use the same information but will
become an advocate for your client. At this point, you have already examined the law. Thus,
your focus now should be on crafting logical and reasoned arguments for your client.
INSTRUCTIONS
Follow the format that has been included in the prompt (SEE ATTACHED-JONES BRIEF PROMPT)J provided by your
professor. This includes the headings and sections. Make sure your brief is:
3 to 5 pages in length.
Does not include a cover page or running heads.
Single-spaced, Times New Roman, 12-point font
Uses the same four rule explanation paragraphs as your memo. However, make sure to
incorporate the feedback provided by your professor in the memo.
o Two rule explanation paragraphs in the first section of the argument.
o Two rule explanation paragraphs in the second section of the argument.
Includes two rule application paragraphs
o One rule application paragraph at the end of the first section of the argument.
o One rule application paragraph at the end of the second section of the argument.
Cite cases using the Bluebook in-text citation method
Only the four assigned cases should be used – no outside sources. Here are the cases:
1-Derby v. Derby, 378 S.E.2d 74 (Va. Ct. App. 1989)
2-Galloway v. Galloway, 622 S.E.2d 267 (Va. Ct. App. 2005)
3-Sims v. Sims, 55 Va. App. 340 (2009)
4-Chaplain v. Chaplain, 682 S.E. 2d 108 (Va. Ct. App. 2009).
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.
DO NOT USE AI TO WRITE THIS, IT MUST BE WRITTEN BY A HUMAN, I WILL CHECK. TURNITIN WILL CHECK AS WELL.
