S.O.U.N.D. Advice for the Bar Exam, 6.22.09

As you practice bar essay questions in preparation for the exam, diagram your issues by:

1. deconstructing the question and reading it one sentence at a time;

2. spotting all of the issues within each sentence;

3. spotting the facts or “buzz words” that go to each issue you’ve spotted;

4. and then reconstructing the question based on the issues—diagramming each issue, and including under it the facts that dealt with that issue in the question.

Remember that the examiners won’t necessarily present each fact in chronological order; they won’t necessarily present each issue in the order on which they’d like you to discuss them. By deconstructing and then reconstructing the question and paying attention to which facts and “buzz words” go with each issue, you can draw up an organized diagram to help you better organize your thoughts and points.