US professors: Don't use italics. Don't bold any words. It just reveals that your writing is so unclear that you have to use artificial methods to point out what you find important.
French professor today: When you back up your ideas, don't just quote the whole paragraph. Write just the phrase and bold the important words. This way you prove to the judge that you understand the passage.
US professors: Your exams don't have straightforward answers. You have to discuss if the issue could be decided in more than one way and state how you believe the court should conclude.
French professor today: When you write an exam you have to add quotes from the text. No one cares what you think. Who are you? Nobody. Write where the argument is in the text.
US professors: Avoid Latin phrases. It makes you look like an elitist asshole.
French professor today: We are lawyers and well educated so if you can, use the Latin to show your competence.
3 comments:
On second thought, though, I forgive her because she is wearing 5-inch heels and a dress that looks like a little bo peep costume . . .
Call me an elitist, but I kind of agree with the French prof on #2&3. I think Latin phrases are useful sometimes. I also think going back into the text (or whatever) to prove an argument is something anyone should be prepared to do. Of course, I'm teaching elementary school kids. : )
I'd love to see the Bo Peep outfit.
Well . . . yes you clearly have to prove an argument, but the word "argument" means you have an opinion. The Latin thing is frowned upon because although you took Latin, most Americans haven't. If a pivotal court decision uses Latin, it becomes just that much less accessible to the people upon which it imposes. Also, using Latin in front of a jury, any jury, loses your case.
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