Law school can be intense, and legal writing doesn’t make it any easier. For many students, writing essays is one of the most challenging parts of studying law. A great essay not only demonstrates your legal knowledge but also showcases your ability to analyze, argue, and write clearly. At Law Essay Pros, we’ve reviewed hundreds of law essays — and we’ve seen the same avoidable mistakes again and again.
In this blog, we break down the 7 most common mistakes law students make in their essays — and offer tips on how to avoid them.
1. Failing to Answer the Question Directly
The mistake: Many students go off-topic or write a generic essay that doesn’t directly address the prompt.
How to fix it:
Break the question down into parts and make sure your thesis directly answers it. Refer back to the question throughout your essay to stay on track.
2. Weak or Disorganized Structure
The mistake: Essays without a clear structure are confusing and difficult to follow. Paragraphs jump between points with no logical flow.
How to fix it:
Use a clear structure such as IRAC (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion) for problem questions or a traditional introduction-body-conclusion format for essays. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence and stick to one main idea per paragraph.
3. Not Using Legal Authority
The mistake: Some students make arguments without backing them up with legal sources like case law, statutes, or academic commentary.
How to fix it:
Every argument must be supported by legal authority. Use up-to-date cases, cite relevant legislation, and incorporate scholarly views where appropriate. Always include proper references using the correct legal citation style (e.g., OSCOLA, Bluebook).
4. Overuse of Legal Jargon
The mistake: Students sometimes try to sound “more legal” by stuffing their essays with unnecessary jargon or complex language.
How to fix it:
Good legal writing is clear and precise. Use legal terms only when necessary, and always explain them if the meaning isn’t obvious. Aim for clarity over complexity.
5. Lack of Critical Analysis
The mistake: Describing the law is not enough. Many essays fail to critically assess legal issues or case decisions.
How to fix it:
Engage with the material. Discuss implications, evaluate strengths and weaknesses of judgments, and consider alternative viewpoints. Critical analysis shows deeper understanding and earns higher marks.
6. Poor Referencing and Plagiarism
The mistake: Inadequate citations or copying content without attribution can lead to plagiarism — a serious academic offense.
How to fix it:
Use proper citation guidelines consistently. Keep track of all sources during research, and make sure to paraphrase and reference correctly. Tools like plagiarism checkers and citation generators can help.
7. Not Proofreading
The mistake: Spelling, grammar, and formatting errors can make even a well-argued essay look careless.
How to fix it:
Always proofread your work. Use editing tools like Grammarly or Hemingway, and consider reading your essay aloud to catch awkward sentences. Better yet, have someone else review it.
Final Thoughts
Writing a strong law essay is a skill that takes practice, attention to detail, and a strategic approach. Avoiding these common mistakes can dramatically improve your writing and boost your grades.
At Law Essay Pros, we specialize in helping law students craft high-quality, well-researched, and professionally edited essays. Whether you need help getting started or polishing a final draft, our expert legal writers are here to support you.
Need Help With Your Next Law Essay?
Contact Law Essay Pros today for personalized writing support and expert guidance tailored to your course, topic, and deadlines.