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Outlining for Exams: Many Methods, One Goal

Outlining for Exams: Many Methods, One Goal. Prof. Carol B. Swanson. ASP Workshop #2. Outlining for Exams: Many Methods, One Goal Thursday, September 13, 11:30-12:30 (Room 101) Sunday, September 16, 11:40-12:40 (Room 101)

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Outlining for Exams: Many Methods, One Goal

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  1. Outlining for Exams:Many Methods, One Goal Prof. Carol B. Swanson

  2. ASP Workshop #2 • Outlining for Exams: Many Methods, One Goal • Thursday, September 13, 11:30-12:30 (Room 101) • Sunday, September 16, 11:40-12:40 (Room 101) • Outlines are critical to successful exam preparation. This ASP Workshop explores the outlining process from start to finish in the Contracts I context. If you are uncertain how to transform case briefs and class notes into winning outlines, this session is for you!

  3. Today’s Workshop… • Understand how outlining is a process, not a result; • Understand the use of diverse outlining techniques, including graphs, visual aids, flip cards, and the traditional alpha-numeric outline • Appreciate the overall outlining process and its pitfalls, including tips based on recent cognitive research • ALL IN THE CONTEXT of your Knapp Crystal casebook in CONTRACTS I!

  4. ASP Workshop #3 • Managing Law School Stress (and Finding Peace and Purpose) • Professor Mary Szto • Saturday, September 29: 4:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. (Room 101) • Tuesday, October 2: 11:20 a.m. - 12:40 p.m. (Room 101)

  5. Confused? Anxious?

  6. Are you up-to-date with your class assignments? • Yes—completely. • Yes, for the most part. • No, I have started to fall behind. • HELP!

  7. Do you have a comfortable understanding of your course materials? • Yes—completely. • Yes, for the most part (especially after class). • No, I am having difficulty putting the pieces together. • HELP!

  8. Have you contacted your professor regarding your substantive concerns? • No, because I have no substantive concerns. • No, but I have gone to at least one SSG session. • No, but I have talked with my tutor about my concerns. • Yes.

  9. So what’s an OUTLINE? It’s all about EXAM PREPARATION!

  10. Have you ever created a full course outline? • Yes. • No.

  11. Have you already started to rough out an outline (in at least one class)? • Yes. • No.

  12. Do you plan to create an outline for every doctrinal course? • Yes. • No.

  13. Let’s consider what an OUTLINE Is NOT… It’s not a summation of your case briefs. It’s not a simple compilation of your notes.

  14. WHAT ABOUT COMMERCIAL OUTLINES? • Coverage Is Different An effective outline is NOT something that someone else does for you. • Information Overload • Other Sources are FREE • Your Own Outline Is Superior

  15. Outlining is more about the PROCESS than the OUTCOME. • Like case briefing, outlining is a process. • Outlining is something you do, not something you have. • Your GOALS are to: • Conceptualize the doctrines and improve your understanding of how the pieces fit together; & • Create a comfortable structure (model) that allows you to analyze diverse fact patterns.

  16. Comfort = Speed

  17. So Where Does Outlining Fit? Case Briefs + Other Notes in Casebook Structure Before Class Refine Notes While in Class Further Refinement at Least Weekly Outside of Class COURSE OUTLINE! Executive Summary

  18. CASE BRIEFING/Notes Ready for CLASS Mastering Critical Thinking OUTLINING Ready for THE EXAM

  19. OUTLINING is all about ORGANIZATION • The act of outlining forces you to confront whether you actually understand the materials and how they interrelate. • The act of outlining will help imprint the materials, improving your recall later. • This organization should facilitate your ability to apply concepts to new fact patterns on an exam.

  20. OUTLINING Methods • Outlining is personal; your learning style will determine what methods work best for you. • “Old School” Outline: Roman Numerals, front to back narrative. • Graphic Models: • Flow Charts, Diagrams, Decision Trees • Bit by Bit: FLASH Cards • Some combination of the above?

  21. What approach works best for you? • Boring, traditional outline approach. • Graphic displays, like charts. • Short ‘n sweet—like flash cards. • Combo platter!

  22. Focus on Knapp Crystal Casebook • An Introduction to the Study of Contract Law • The Basis of Contractual Obligation: Mutual Assent and Consideration • Liability in the Absence of Bargained-For Exchange: Promissory Estoppel and Restitution • The Statute of Frauds • The Meaning of the Agreement: Principles of Interpretation and the Parol Evidence Rule

  23. Material Covered So Far… • Intro to Contract Law • Sources • Contract Theory Perspectives • Basis of K Obligation: • Mutual Assent • Objective Theory • Offer/Acceptance in Bilateral, Unilateral • Postponed Bargaining • Consideration (Defined & Applied) • K Formation Under Article 2 • Mutual Asent, Firm Offer, Qualified Acceptance (“Battle of the Forms”) • Electronic and “Layered” Contracting

  24. Chapter 2: The Basis of Contractual Obligation • Mutual Assent • Intention to Be Bound: The Objective Theory of Contract • Ray v. William G. Eurice & Bros., Inc. • Offer and Acceptance in Bilateral Contracts • Lonergan v. Scolnick • Izadi v. Machado (Gus) Ford, Inc. • Normile v. Miller • Offer and Acceptance in Unilateral Contracts • Petterson v. Pattberg • Cook v. Coldwell Banker/Frank Laiben Realty Co. • Postponed Bargaining: The “Agreement to Agree” • Walker v. Keith • Quake Construction, Inc. v. American Airlines, Inc.

  25. Outlining Chapter 2:Do NOT Make This Mistake! • Mutual Assent • Intention to Be Bound: The Objective Theory of Contract • Ray v. William G. Eurice & Bros., Inc. • Offer and Acceptance in Bilateral Contracts • Lonergan v. Scolnick • Izadi v. Machado (Gus) Ford, Inc. • Normile v. Miller • Offer and Acceptance in Unilateral Contracts • Petterson v. Pattberg • Cook v. Coldwell Banker/Frank Laiben Realty Co. • Postponed Bargaining: The “Agreement to Agree” • Walker v. Keith • Quake Construction, Inc. v. American Airlines, Inc.

  26. Outlining Chapter 2:Focus on the CONCEPTS, not the Cases • Mutual Assent • Intention to Be Bound: The Objective Theory of Contract • WHAT is the theory? Define it. • Meeting of the minds? • Offer and Acceptance in Unilateral & Bilateral Contracts • DEFINE Unilateral, Bilateral—and why does the difference matter? • DEFINE Offer, Acceptance, Rejection, Revocation, Counteroffer, etc. WHEN effective? • Postponed Bargaining: The “Agreement to Agree” • What is the problem, and the standards for analysis? What are the standards for MUTUAL ASSENT under UCC Article 2?

  27. Simplify & Reduce: Workable, Tight Executive Summary (3-10 pp)

  28. FOREST vs. TREES Case Case What Constitutes Mutual Assent? Case Case

  29. But what if I just don’t get it?

  30. Open-Door Policy

  31. Academic Success Program • One–on-one Tutoring • Structured Study Groups • Workshops

  32. Start outlining today

  33. SERIOUSLY, Start outlining NOW!

  34. Good Luck!Enjoy Your Fall Semester! Questions or concerns? Feel free to contact me… Carol Swanson cswanson@hamline.edu 651.523.2138

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