Letting Students Teach Each Other: Using Peer Conferences in Upper-Level Legal Writing

Abstract:     
This Article illustrates how incorporating structured one-on-one student conferences in an upper-level legal writing course helps novice writers develop expertise. This Article also explains how peer conferences help students to develop critical skills that they will need as practicing lawyers. Although the peer conferences described in this Article are discussed in the context of legal writing, peer conferences may be used in any upper-level course, including both practice-oriented courses and doctrinal courses. This Article responds to the recent impetus to reexamine the nature and purpose of legal education by providing students with more skills training.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 48

Keywords: autonomy-support, collaborative learning, feedback, law student, legal writing, modeling, peer conference, writing center theory

Accepted Paper Series