Elaine Outline: Fill & Download for Free

A nightmare. Except for legal research and writing, a seminar course in which I had to write a paper on a topic of my choosing, and a class whose exam questions came from the study questions I had outlined answers to while studying for the final, I had no idea what I was doing, because no one instructed us on how to structure a law school exam essay (using the IRAC method), which was revealed to me during bar review. Class consisted of calling on students to recite the facts of the assigned case and then to apply the holding to other situations. The entire grade was dependent on the final exam, which consisted of hypothetical scenarios to discuss. Grades were posted on a bulletin board by student ID number six weeks later, and exams wer never returned and feedback never received. I tried to my first semester after getting a D in torts. My professor instructed me to deliver an envelope to his secretary with five dollars cash to cover copying costs, and to return the following day to pick up my copy of the exam. Guess what—the final had not one mark on it, not even a computation so I could dispute the math! I spent four long years working at a hectic job as a paralegal by day, sitting through a three-hour class five nights a week, then going home at 9:00 o’clock at night trying to concentrate on the 50 pages or so of reading for the next day’s class. By the end of this ordeal I had lost my freshman 15 pounds, and now I had to face bar exam preparation every night for six weeks and then the two-day bar exam. Not fun! But doI regret it?No. Made many good friends/study groups, and gained knowledge useful as a consumer, a citizen, an employee, and just about any role I can think of.These days I tutor law students (and others), and I see that law school has shed its old school strategies and given students some real life writing assignments. I can tell you that the practice of law is much more interesting than attending law school, but being a paralegal is just as exciting and not as horrendous as being a law student. e

Hello Robert!Great question!If you still have reservations regarding Nancy P’s intelligence, well don’t. Pelosi was absolutely correct in withholding the articles from the Senate because she knew or had a hunch more damaging information about the Ukraine extortion was coming out.Just Security, a national security blog, has released unredacted versions of previously released emails. These emails show not only the lengths to which “president” Trump went to blackmail Ukraine but how the Justice Department tried to cover his tracks. Elaine McCusker, acting Pentagon comptroller, repeatedly tried to get to the bottom of the “hold” on the Ukraine aid. Who was in the midst of the cover-up? Trump, Pompeo, and Pence. McCusker was ready to move forward with impoundment paperwork because she knew that these funds would be lost if not timely disbursed. In response to McCusker’s inquiries, Michael Duffey of OMB tried to place the blame on the Department of Defense, to which McCusker responded, “You can’t be serious. I’m speechless.” Talk about throwing someone under the bus. The “blame game” had begun. Here’s the link for you: Exclusive: Unredacted Ukraine Documents Reveal Extent of Pentagon’s Legal ConcernsEven after McCusker’s repeated warnings and everything that had transpired to date, on December 11, OMG General Counsel Paoletta drafted a letter to the GAO that stated in part, “at no point during the pause in obligations did DOD [Office of General Counsel] indicate to OMB that, as a matter of law, the apportionments would prevent DOD from being able to obligate the funds before the end of the fiscal year.” Bull! McCusker continuously pointed out that the administration’s activities were illegal, and it’s documented. Not only are these people criminals, but they’re stupid criminals.Following the timeline of events is quite mind-blowing. These funds would have been withheld past the deadline but for one of the defense contractors, L3 Harris Technologies, inquiring about the release of funds on August 27. That company somehow learned of the “hold” and was demanding an explanation. On the same day, the Pentagon drafted a letter to the acting director of OMB once again outlining the folly of withholding Ukraine’s military aid past the September deadline. Word of the hold then reached Capitol Hill, U.S. defense contractors, and Ukraine officials, and Politico brought everything into the open on August 28. Stubbornly continuing to try to get Trump’s investigation into Joe Biden, Pence traveled to Ukraine on September 1. Here’s the Politico link: Trump holds up Ukraine military aid meant to confront RussiaLet’s call this what it is: Clear criminal activity by “president” Donald Trump, his lackey Mike Pence, and stooge Mike Pompeo. Enter William Barr to try to cover everything up. Every one of these criminals needs to be in jail. Not only was this NOT their money to withhold, but the purpose for which it was being withheld was criminal. In light of this release, is the Senate still planning to let Trump go scot free? They will do so at their own peril. As Esquire said, “the President is guilty as hell.”

For me, taking notes in outline form works. Outlining the basics forces me to pay attention even if the topic bores me and helps my mind not wander off topic. Once written, I rarely look at them again, except to glance at them before an exam or meeting to refresh my memory. The act of writing them down reinforces my retention and the outline format is disciplined enough to keep me from spending too much time on the lesser details. Later, recalling the main points is usually enough to spur my memory for more details if needed.