The Mysterious LSAT Writing Sample

The LSAT’s Writing Sample is the last section of the intellectual marathon.  After a day spent navigating Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension, many LSAT takers experience waning motivation.

That the Writing Sample is not scored misleads people to think of it as a throwaway exercise.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  A great writing sample may increase your chances of law school admission if your credentials are lacking in some way.

It’s your job to spot the crucial issues from the prompt and choose a position to advocate.  The prompt is written so that both choices have merits and deficiencies.  The Writing Sample tests your ability to make a cogent argument under timed conditions.

Tips:

1. Go out with a bang and not a whimper.  It’s worth your effort to put your best foot forward.
2. Take a few minutes to organize your answer.
3. Start with a strong topic sentence and your strongest point.
4. Don’t ignore evidence for the opposition.  Figure out a way to neutralize it.
5. Practice under test conditions.
6. Set your practice sample aside for a few days and then reread it with a critical eye.