How I Will Grade Your Research Paper

Your submission will represent 30% of your final grade.

This is what I will look fo (with the corresponding weight):

1. Neatness, following instructions on format, lack of typographical errors, and timely submission -- 5%

2. Grammatical correctness -- 5%

3. Use of legal authorities, accuracy, correct citation form -- 30%

4. Analysis and soundness of conclusions - 30%

5. Organization and clarity -- 30%

In Search of a Research Topic

Choose an area of law that interests you or you are familiar with. Read the papers or news magazines such as Newsweek or The Economist, or watch the news. Current events may suggest a possible topic. Just remember, you need to write a legal research paper, so it needs to address a legal issue or problem, that you will analyze and research on. The paper will have to provide your findings or conclusions on the issue or problem.

Note that I use the term `issue' or `problem' and not just `question'. I do not want you to choose a topic that only requires you to recite particular laws or to go into exposition. I want you to choose a topic that will require you to be analytical, to engage in critical thinking.

During our first meeting, I asked you to write on this legal issue: Can Erap Run For President in 2010? To resolve this, you would need to read the relevant provisions of the Philippine Constitution as well as the related authorities, examine the deliberations of the Constitutional Commission, determine what other laws might come into play, read up on Erap's arguments, and evaluate and test those arguments. Thereafter, you would need to state your findings and organize your own arguments supporting these findings with legal authorities set out in a logical and coherent manner. This is the process that each of you must undergo.

Good luck!

Legal Research Paper: Reminders

While you may choose the topic of your research paper, I need to approve it. Please submit your topic by December 16, 2009 (by email).

All papers must use Times New Roman, 11 font size, block format, 1 1/2 space. They should be at least 15 pages, but not more than 25 pages, long (using 8 1/2" x 11" sized paper). No colored paper, scented paper, borders, or emoticons. All authorities need to be quoted and cited correctly, and attributions properly made.

You must submit a hard copy of your paper by 5 p.m. of March 18, 2010. Submission by email will not be considered or accepted.