# How to Write a Legal Article
## Introduction
A legal article is a piece of formal academic writing that presents an argument about a specific point of law. Unlike a descriptive essay, its primary purpose is to persuade the reader of a particular viewpoint, or ‘thesis’, through rigorous analysis and evidence. For students, writing a legal article is an essential skill that demonstrates the ability to research, structure a coherent argument, and communicate complex legal ideas clearly. This guide outlines the fundamental steps involved in writing a legal article, focusing on selecting a topic, conducting research, structuring the piece, and adopting an appropriate writing style.
## The Foundation: Topic Selection and Argument
The first and most important step is choosing a suitable topic and formulating a clear argument. A good topic is typically one that is current, specific, and allows for debate. Simply describing an area of law is not sufficient for a legal article; there must be a central argument or thesis. For example, instead of a broad topic like ‘the law of negligence’, a more focused article might argue that ‘the Supreme Court’s decision in *Robinson v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police* [2018] UKSC 4 has created unnecessary uncertainty in the duty of care test for public authorities’.
This central thesis acts as the guiding principle for the entire article. Every point made and every source cited should directly support or develop this argument. A strong, clear thesis statement in the introduction tells the reader exactly what the article intends to prove.
## Building the Case: Research and Evidence
Once a thesis is established, the next stage is to conduct thorough research to gather evidence. Legal research involves using both primary and secondary sources. Primary sources are the law itself, including statutes (Acts of Parliament) and case law (judgments from courts). These provide the authoritative basis for any legal claim.
Secondary sources are materials that comment on or analyse the law, such as academic journal articles, textbooks, and Law Commission reports. These are crucial for understanding different perspectives, identifying debates within the law, and finding critical analysis that can support your own argument. As Finch and Fafinski (2021) explain, integrating these sources effectively is key to building a convincing case. It is essential to use reputable sources and to cite them correctly using a consistent referencing style, such as Harvard, to give credit to other authors and avoid plagiarism.
## Structuring the Article
A logical structure is vital for a persuasive legal article. A conventional and effective structure consists of an introduction, a main body, and a conclusion.
* **Introduction**: This section should introduce the legal issue, provide brief context, and clearly state the article’s thesis. It serves as a roadmap, telling the reader what to expect.
* **Main Body**: The body of the article develops the argument. It should be divided into several paragraphs or sections, each one presenting a distinct point that supports the overall thesis. Using clear headings for each section helps to guide the reader through the argument. Each point should be supported by evidence from the primary and secondary sources gathered during the research phase.
* **Conclusion**: The conclusion should not introduce new information or arguments. Instead, it should summarise the key points made in the main body and restate the thesis in a new, conclusive way, showing how the evidence presented has proven the argument.
## Writing Style and Language
The tone of a legal article should be formal, objective, and precise. Clarity is paramount. Complex legal concepts should be explained simply, and legal jargon should be avoided unless it is necessary, in which case it should be defined. According to guides on legal writing, such as Strong (2018), short, clear sentences are generally more effective than long, complicated ones. Careful proofreading to eliminate spelling and grammar errors is also essential, as mistakes can undermine the credibility of the author’s argument.
## References
- Finch, E. and Fafinski, S. (2021) Legal Skills. 8th edn. Oxford University Press.
- Strong, S.I. (2018) How to Write Law Essays & Exams. 5th edn. Oxford University Press.
