Persuasive Issue Statements
83 Illinois Bar Journal, Vol. 83, p. 139, 1995
2 Pages Posted: 4 Mar 2008
Abstract
Issue statements in trial memoranda and appellate briefs present the issues in a light favorable to the advocate's position and invite the reader to view the issues from that perspective. Persuasive issue statements strike a balance between subtle persuasion and obvious bias. An effective issue statement conveys the substance of the issue, emphasizing those aspects that favor the advocate's position. Ideally, the issue statement prepares the judge to read the remainder of the argument with a reasonable understanding of the issue and a predisposition to rule favorably.
Keywords: legal writing, issue statements, advocacy
JEL Classification: K10
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation