5/5/2017 HOWTOANSWERBAREXAMESSAYQUESTIONSIMPRESSIVELYlawyerwannabe

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nejadzininTIPS November18,2015November18,2015 5,181Words

HOWTOANSWERBAREXAMESSAY
QUESTIONSIMPRESSIVELY

SharingtipsfrommyCriminalLawProfessorAtty.RubenC.Talampas,Jr.

HOWTOANSWERBAREXAMESSAYQUESTIONSIMPRESSIVELY

By:A y.RubenC.Talampas,Jr.

ThethenChairpersonoftheCommi eeonBarExaminations,MadameJusticeAmeurnaMelencio
Hererra,submi edareporttothePhilippineSupremeCourtherobservationsonthe1980barexams.

Accordingtoherseveralexamineeshavemadeveryunsatisfactoryshowingtosuchanextentthatthereisonewho
obtainedagradeaslowas7%anotherobtainedagradeof11%;stillsomeothersobtainedgradesof12%;16%;
17%;18%;19%;20%;21%;24%;25%;26%;27%;31%;34%;etc.

Shepointedoutthegeneralweaknessofthebarexaminees.Shesaid:Thereasonforthishighmortality
rate,maybeaributedtoseveralfactorsamongthemintheopinionoftheundersigned,maybeduemainlytothe
following:...inadequatecommandoftheEnglishlanguage.

Shefurtheremphasized:Theexamineesinhabitingthelowermostrungsofthegradingscalemanifestednotalone
anappallinglackofknowledgeofthefundamentalprinciplesinvolvedintheexaminationquestionsbutalsoan
inabilitytologicallystringtheirthoughtstogethercompoundedbyanalmostincredibledeciencyinlanguage
skills.

Itwaslessthan35yearsagobutstillherremarksseemtobetrueatpresent.

Thefollowingareactualquestionsandanswersofsomeexamineeswhichdemonstratetheirlackof
knowledgeofthefundamentallegalprinciplesandinadequatecommandoftheEnglishlanguage:

QuestionNo.6(b)Anaccusedwasfoundguiltyofdoublemurderandwasmetedouttwosentencesofreclusion
perpetua.Howwouldtheaccusedservethesentences?

AnswerBothpenaltiesmustbeservedbytheaccused,andhewaselectrocutedanddiedthenit
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AnswerBothpenaltiesmustbeservedbytheaccused,andhewaselectrocutedanddiedthenit
washesouttheremainingsentencetoservedbytheaccused.

QuestionNo.11.PatrolmanCruz,actingunderordersoftheMunicipalMayor,Whowantedtoputastopto
thefrequentoccurrenceofrobberyinSitioMasukal,patrolledtheplace.Ataboutmidnight,seeingthreepersons
actingsuspiciouslyinfrontofanuninhabitedhouseandenteringthesame,hearrestedthemwithoutwarrantand
tookthemtothemunicipalbuildingwheretheyweredetainedinjailforaboutvehoursbeforetheywerereleased.
PatrolmanCruzwasaccusedofarbitrarydetention.IfyouweretheJudge,wouldyouconvicthimofthecrime
charged?

AnswerNo.consideringhispossessionaspeaceocerbythehigherauthoritytopatroltheplace
whererobberyarefrequent.TheoneresponsibleforthisistheMunicipalMayorwhoorderwithout
warrantofarrestandtheactofthepatrolmanareingoodfaithbelievingtobearobberyenteringa
house.SotheproperpartyliableistheMunicipalMayor.

QuestionNo.17AAwastheownerofajeepneyforhire.Whenhisdriverwashospitalized,hehiredBBas
driveronatemporarybasisandentrustedtohimthevehiclefortransportingpassengersfromQuiapotoBaclaran
withacompensationofP30.00aday.BBneverreturnedthevehicleandaftersearchthevehiclewasfoundin
Tarnate,Cavite,abouttobesold.BBwaschargedwithQualiedTheftandwasconvicted.Appealingthe
judgmentofconviction,defensecounselcontendsthatBBmayhavecommiedEstafabutnotQualiedThefton
thetheorythatthepossessionofthevehiclewasobtainedwiththeconsentofAAtheowner,andtherefore,there
wasnoillegaltaking.Decidethecase.

AnswerThedefensecounseloftheaccusedcontentioninuntenableassumingnowthatthereisno
illegaltakingofthejeepfromAA.TheownerbutBBatemporarydriverhiredbyAAfailureto
returnthejeepsuchvehicleasnowreadytobesoldbyBBhaveanintenttogainistheftcasesasan
element.

Ouraim,ofcourse,isnottoridiculeandimmortalizetheseBaranswers.Ouraimistoremedy,
correct,andsupplementtheaforesaiddecienciesforfuturebartakerssothattheywouldnotsuer
thesamefate.

Byfarthemostimportanttoolthatthebarcandidatecouldequiphimselfwithwhichtotacklethe
examinationthatisinherentlypersonaltohimiscommandofwri enEnglish.Theexamineewhohasa
fairlygoodcommandofEnglish,assumingthatheispreparedinallotherma ers,standsdenitelywith
amuchbe erchanceofpassing.

NotalltheBARtipsIwillbepresentingherearemine.Ibelievetheyarethecollectiveideasof
pastbarexaminees,bartopnotchers,barlecturersandlawprofessorswhowanttosharetheir
experiencesandhavethedesireandconcerntohelpfuturebartakers.Iwilltrythoughtopresent
theseinamorecomprehensibleandeectiveway.

Abarexamineesanswershouldbeatotalpackage.Meaning,itcontainsallthenecessary
ingredients.Thisiswhenthe4Lscomein:law,language,logic,andlayout.Hisanswershouldbe
legibleandneatwithouttheirritatingerasuresobservingthepropermarginandspacebetween
paragraphswithcorrectcomposition,grammarandspellingcoupledofcourseoftheknowledgeof
thelawprinciplesanditsapplicationtothegivensetoffactsresponsivetotheissueorquestionat
hand.

Theexaminerwillbelookingandexpectingforthefollowingfromyouranswer:

1.Properunderstandingandappreciationofthefacts,particularlyofthecomponentsordetailsthatcan
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1.Properunderstandingandappreciationofthefacts,particularlyofthecomponentsordetailsthatcan
bematerialinresolvingthegivenproblem;
2.Appreciationoftheapplicablelawsthatmaycomeintoplay;
3.Recognitionoftheissuesposed;
4.Resolutionoftheissuesthroughtheanalysisandapplicationofthelawtothegivenfacts;and
5.Presentationandarticulationofanswer.

Inessence,youranswershouldclearlyindicate:

1.therelevantfacts;
2.theapplicablelaw;
3.youranalysis;and
4.yourconclusion.

Toexpounditfurther,aBarexamineesanswershouldclearlydemonstrate:

IDENTIFICATIONOFTHEPROBLEM

Youranswershoulddemonstrateyourabilitytoidentifycorrectlytheproblem(s)andissue(s)oflaw
presentedinthequestion.Youranswershoulddemonstrateyourabilitytoarticulateandclassifythe
problempresented,thatis,tostateitinalawyerlikefashionandtoplaceitinitspropercategoryor
categoriesofdoctrine.

KNOWLEDGEOFTHELAW

Youranswershoulddemonstrateyourknowledgeoflegalprinciplesandyourabilitytorepeatthem
accuratelyontheexaminationastheyrelatetotheproblempresentedbythequestion.Youshouldstate
conciselytheprinciple(s)andrule(s)governingtheissue(s)presentedbythequestion.

APPLICATIONANDANALYSIS

Youranswershouldrevealyourcapacitytoreasonlogicallybyapplyingtheappropriateruleor
principletotheoperativefactsofthequestionasastepinreachingyourconclusion.Thisinvolves
makingthecorrectpreliminarydeterminationastowhichfactsinthequestionarelegallyimportantand
which,ifany,areirrelevant.

Thelineofreasoningthatyouadoptshouldbeclearandconsistentwithoutgapsordigressions.Thisis
themostimportantelementinyouranswerand,therefore,carriesthemostweightinthegradingprocess.

CONCLUSION

Youshouldaddressyourselftothetaskthatthequestionasksyoutoperform.Forexample,ifthe
questioncallsforaspecicconclusionorresult,suchconclusionshouldclearlyappearinyouranswer
andshouldbestatedconciselyandwithoutequivocation.

Ananswerthatconsistsentirelyofmereconclusionsunsupportedbyanystatementsordiscussionofthe
rulesorreasoninguponwhichitisbasedisentitledtoli lecredit.Clarityandconcisenessare
important,butmakeyouranswercomplete.Donotvolunteerirrelevantorimmaterialinformation.

ARTICULATION

Articulationisexpressiveofthefollowingbasicfundamentals:goodlanguage,impressivepresentation,3/15
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Articulationisexpressiveofthefollowingbasicfundamentals:goodlanguage,impressivepresentation,
logicalreasoningandsubstantialbackgroundknowledgeoflawandprocedure.Impressiveanswers
showingthecandidatesreasoningfacultyiswhattheexaminerswanttoreadinyourexamination
notebooks.

Youranswershoulddemonstrateyourabilitytoanalyzethefactspresentedbythequestion,toselectthe
materialfromtheimmaterialfacts,andtodiscernthepointsuponwhichthequestionturns.Itshould
showyourknowledgeandunderstandingofthepertinentprinciplesandtheoriesoflawinvolvedand
theirqualicationsandlimitations.Itshoulddemonstrateyourabilitytoapplythelawtothegivenfacts,
andtoreasonlogicallyinalawyerlikemannertoasoundconclusionfromthegivenpremises.

YoumustalsobeawarethattheBarquestionsarenotallcaseorsituationerproblems.Thereareother
typesofBaressayquestionsyououghttoknowsoyouwillbeabletoprepareandanswerthem
properlyincaseyouencounterone.TheusualtypesofBaressayquestionareenumeratedbelow:

1.Enumeration;
2.Distinction;
3.Denition;
4.Reasonbehindthelaw/concept/principle;and
5.CaseProblem.

CASEPROBLEM

Thistypecomprisesanaverageof8090percentofthequestionsineverysubject,hence,itis
imperativethatyouarewellversedinansweringthesame.

Giventhatyouknowalreadythelaw;thatyouknowhowtoapplyittothesetoffacts;thatyouwrite
legiblyenough;leftyouwithoneproblemthatishowareyougoingtopresentorarticulateitinan
impressivemanner.

Areadyoutlineorstructureofyouranswerwilltremendouslyhelpyoutoanswerfasterwithout
missinganimportantpart.Byconstantpracticeinansweringthistypeofquestionwiththe
outline/structureinyourmind,youwillbeamazedhowiteasyforyoutostartoutrightandtacklethe
questionandcomeupwithanimpressiveanswer.

Belowisthesuggestedoutline/structureofyouranswerforacase/situationerproblemquestion:

1stParagraphPositive/Negative/QualiedAnswer

2ndParagraphApplicableLaw/Jurisprudence
rd
3 ParagraphCorrelationoftheLaw/JurisprudencewiththeFactsoftheCase

4thParagraphConclusion(thismaybepartofthe3rdParagraph)

Okay,youalreadyhaveanoutlinebutisntitboringfortheexaminertoreadinyouranswersthesame
wordsorphraseatthebeginningofyourparagraphs?Forexampleyouwillusethesewordsinevery
answer:thecontentionisuntenable;thelawprovides;therefore.Theexaminerwillspotthisandmight
notbeimpressedtoyouatallwhichwillresulttoalesserpoints.

Youwillagreethatthehardestthingtodoistostart.Wewantthattherstsentencesorparagraphwe 4/15
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Youwillagreethatthehardestthingtodoistostart.Wewantthattherstsentencesorparagraphwe
willwritewillimpresstheexaminerandmoreoftenwecannotndtherightwordstostart.Woulditbe
easierifjustliketheoutlineyouhavealreadyapoolofwordswaitingtobeused?

KnowingFirstLinersorintroductorywordswillgreatlyhelpyoutoquicklyandsmoothlystringyour
thoughtsandeectivelyconveyyouranswers.Thefollowingrstlinersorintroductorywordscanbe
usedinterchangeablytobegineveryparagraphofyouroutlinedanswer.

ThefollowingUsefulIntroductoryLinesaremostlytakenfromthearticleofA y.ReyC.Tatad,Jr.
withthesametitle.

ANSWERINGINTHEPOSITIVE

1.Thepetitionismeritorious.
2.Thecontentionhaslegalbasis.
3.Thecasewillprosper.
4.Theargumentisproper.
5.Theprovisionisperfectlyapplicable.
6.Theactionistenable.
7.Themotionshouldbegranted.
8.TheJudgeiscorrect.
9.Thepetitionisimpressedwithmerit.
10.Yes.Itisa(i.e.patentviolation)ofthe
11.Thereismeritinthepetition.
12.Thepetitionerscontentionissustainable.

ANSWERINGINTHENEGATIVE

1.Thedecisionisnotinaccordwithlawandjurisprudence.
2.Thedecisioniserroneous.
3.Thecontentionistotallymisplaced.
4.Thedoctrineof..doesnotapplyinthiscase.
5.Thepetitionisnotmeritorious.
6.Theevidencepresenteddeservesscantconsideration.
7.Thecontentionhasnolegalbasis.
8.Theargumentisbereftofmerit.
9.Thepetitionisdevoidofmerit.

10.Petitioners/Respondents/Complainants/Plaintis/Defendants/Accusedrelianceonthe(i.e.doctrine
of)isinappropriate.

11.Itisafutilegestureonthepartoftherespondenttoinvoketheruleon
12.Thetheory/argumenthasnogroundtostandupon.
13.Thecontentionhasnolegwithwhichtostandon.
14.Thepositionofthepetitionerrunscounterwiththedoctrineof
15.Thecasewillnotprosper.
16.Thecaseisnottenable.
17.Theactoftheaccusedinisofnomoment.
18.Theassertionlackssubstance.
19.The(i.e.respondent)cannotrelyon(i.e.merealibis)toaidhiscause.

20.Thecourtcannotcountenancethe(i.e.inconsistentposturesofthepetitioner)
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20.Thecourtcannotcountenancethe(i.e.inconsistentposturesofthepetitioner)
21.Thetestimonythat,cannotbegivencredence.
22.Theevidencepresentedhasnoprobativevalue.
23.Theallegationisbeliedbythefactthat
24.Toputitotherwisewouldbetorenderthelawon_____________

useless/futile.

25.Theactuationsoftheaccusedin(i.e.eeingandhiding)negates(i.e.

innocence)

26.Whileitistruethat_______________isa(i.e.constitutionalguaranteedright

ofaperson),itdoesnot,howevermean

27.Itisnotcorrecttosaythat
28.Itisnotpropertostatethat
29.Itisnotaccuratetoconcludeoutrightthat
30.Acontraryconclusionwoulderodetherulethatprovidesinpartthat
31.Tosustainthecontentionwouldbetorenderthelawon____________

nugatory.

32.Itwouldbeabsurdandincongruoustosustaintheargumentthat
33.Itisnotenoughthat
34.Thefactthatisimmaterialsince
35.Thefactthatisirrelevantsince
36.Initself,mereisnotsucient(i.e.towarrantconviction).
37.Thepetitionercannotgiveanyadditionalmeaningtotheclearandplain

languageofthelaw.

38.TheSupremeCourt,inseveralcases,hasstruckdownthe(i.e.defenseofalibi)
39.Thea endantcircumstancesofthecasearecontrarytothepetitioners

assertion.

40.Theevidencedoesnotsupportthetheoryofthepetitioners.
41.Thereisnocogentreasontodisturbtherulingofthe(i.e.CourtofAppeals)
42.Theclaimfor(i.e.moraldamages)mustnecessarilyfail.

ANSWERTHATREQUIRESQUALIFICATION

(Butifthefactsarecompleteinitself,donota empttoaddfactsorassumeanything.)

1.Wemustdistinguish.If(orAsfarasthe__________isconcerned)
2.Itdepends.If(orAsfarasthe__________isconcerned)
3.Thequestionrequiresaqualiedanswer.If
4.Iwillqualify.If
5.Ontheassumptionthat
6.Myanswermustbequalied.
CITINGLAWPROVISIONS
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CITINGLAWPROVISIONS

1.Nolessthanthe(i.e.1987Constitution)providesforthe
2.The(i.e.RulesofCourt)substantiallyprovidesinpartthat
3.Underthebroadprinciplesof(i.e.dueprocessclause)
4.Undertheallencompassingdoctrineof(i.e.incontestabilityclause)
5.Underthelaw
6.Accordingtothe(i.e.FamilyCode)
7.Thelawisexplicitonthema er.
8.Thelawexplicitlyexpressesinpartthat
9.Byexpressprovisionoflaw,
10.Byoperationoflaw
11.Asama eroflaw
12.Worthrememberingistheruleon_______________whichprovidesinpartthat
13.Decisiveonthema eristhepertinentprovisionofthe(i.e.Lawon

Property)

14.Thelawprescribescertainruleson
15.Bylegislativeat

QUOTINGSUPREMECOURTDECISIONS

1.TheSupremeCourtinonecase,hadtheoccasiontorulethat
2.InalonglineofcasesdecidedbytheSupremeCourt,ithasalwaysbeen

(consistently)heldthat

3.InalitanyofcasesdecidedbytheSupremeCourt,
4.Inalongstringofcasesdecidedbythehighestcourtoftheland,
5.AccordingtoseveralcasesdecidedbytheSupremeCourt,
6.InaseriesofcasesdecidedbytheSupremeCourt,

*Donotusethewordsseries,litanyorlonglineifthereisonlyone

decision/jurisprudenceforthattopic.

7.Inonecasedecidedbythehighestcourtoftheland,itwasheldthat
8.Inonecase,theSupremeCourtruledthat
9.Ithasbeensaidthat
10.Inarecentcase,theSupremeCourthaslaidtoresttheissueofwhetherornot
11.Itiswellse ledinthisjurisdiction
12.Itiswellse ledinthiscountry
13.TheSupremeCourthassteadfastlyadheredtothedoctrinewhichstates

that

14.Inacasewithsimilarfacts,theSupremeCourtruledthat
15.InseveralnotableSupremeCourtdecisions,thehighestcourtdeclaredthat
16.TheSupremeCourthasoftenstressedthat
17.Inthelandmarkcaseof_____________,(ifthecaseissofamous)the
SupremeCourtlaiddownthedoctrinewhichsubstantiallyprovidesthat
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SupremeCourtlaiddownthedoctrinewhichsubstantiallyprovidesthat

18.Intheleadingcaseof
19.AsenunciatedbytheSupremeCourtinonecase,
20.Thecourthasrepeatedlyruled
21.Acaseinpointisacasealreadydecidedbynootherthanthehighestcourtoftheland,wherethe
SupremeCourtheldthat
22.ThereislikewiseanarrayofcasesinthisjurisdictionwheretheSupremeCourthasconsistently
declaredthat
23.Deeplyrootedisthejurisprudencewhichprovidesthat
24.Inonecase,theSupremeCourtwasemphaticwhenitruledthat.

EMPHASIZINGCASEDOCTRINES/JURISPRUDENCE

1.Itishornbookdoctrinein(i.e.CivilLaw)that
2.Immortalistherulethat
3.Wellse ledistherule
4.Wellentrenchedistheprinciplethat..
5.Elementaryistherulethat..
6.Thecardinalrulein(i.e.laborlaw)isthat
7.Itisafamiliarcanonin(i.e.politicallaw)that
8.Bywellse ledpubliclaw
9.Basicistherulein(i.e.CriminalLaw)
10.Itisanelementaryprinciplein
11.Itisafundamentaldoctrinein
12.Wellacceptedistherulethat
13.Itisaxiomaticin(i.e.CivilLaw)that
14.Enshrinedinthe1987Constitutionistherulethat(i.e.nopersonshallbedeprivedoflife,libertyor
propertywithoutdueprocessoflaw)
15.Consonantwiththeruleon
16.Itisarecognizeddoctrinein(i.e.Civillaw)that
17.Itisabasictenetin(i.e.CommercialLaw)
18.Consistentwithcurrentjurisprudence
19.Itisalegalpresumption,bornofwisdomandexperience,that
20.Itisanoftrepeatedrulethat
21.ThePhilippinesadheretotheprincipleof

REFERRINGBACKTOTHECASE

(correlatingthefactswiththelaw/jurisprudence)

1.Applyingthesaidlaw/doctrineintheinstantcase,
2.Fromthefactsgiven,noteworthyisthe
3.Fromthefactsofthecase,itisreadilyobservablethat
4.Intheinstantcase,itmaybeobservedthat
5.Itiscrystalclearfromthefactspresentedthat(i.e.thecrimeoftreason)ispresent(orwas
commi ed).
6.Inthepresentcase,itisimmediatelynoticeablethattheelementof

__________iswanting(orlacking).
7.Underthecircumstances,theproperremedywouldbe
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7.Underthecircumstances,theproperremedywouldbe
8.Thecaseobtainingindicatesacaseof(i.e.B.P.22)
9.Itlogicallyfollows
10.Itgoeswithoutsaying
11.Evenassumingarguendo,forthesakeofargumentthat
12.Thesituationinthecaseathand
13.Thesituationpresentedevincesacaseof
14.Thefactssucientlyindicated
15.Inthegivenfacts,itisimmediatelyapparentthat
16.Itisevidentthat
17.Inthesametoken
18.Underthefactsstatedintheproblem,
19.Inthecaseunderconsideration,
20.Worthstressingisthefactthat
21.Worthemphasizingisthefactthat
22.Thefactswouldrevealthat
23.Acarefulperusalofthefactsofthecasewouldrevealthat
24.Acarefulscrutinyoftheactuationsoftheaccusedwouldrevealthat
25.Acarefulreadingofthe(i.e.DeedofAbsoluteSale)wouldrevealthat
26.Acursoryexaminationofthe

CONCLUDINGWORDS

1.Fromthegamutofevidenceonhand,itcanbegathered/deducedthat,
2.Takenalltogether,
3.Finally,
4.Hence,
5.Therefore,
6.Fromtheforegoing,itcanbededucedthatthereisreally(i.e.aviolationof)
7.Fromtheforegoing,itisnowsafetoconcludethat.
8.Lastly,
9.Consequently,
10.Asanecessaryconsequence
11.Thelogicalimplicationisthat
12.Atanyrate,
13.Inviewoftheforegoing,
14.Asaninevitableconclusion,
15.Inthelightofthecircumstances,
16.Undoubtedly,
17.Indubitably,
18.Clearly,thecaseathandfallssquarelywithinthepurviewof
19.Verily,he/shehascommi ed
20.Forthis/thesereason/s,itisunavoidabletoconcludethat
21.Basedonthefactsobtaining,
22.Inthislight,
23.Thisbeingthecase
24.Clearlytherefore,applyingtheaforecitedrulinginthecaseathand,
25.Inlightoftheforegoing,itisbeyondcavil(doubt)that,
26.Thereisnodoubtthat
27.Totheunprejudicedmind,theactuationsofthethree,whenanalyzedandtakentogether,leadstono
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27.Totheunprejudicedmind,theactuationsofthethree,whenanalyzedandtakentogether,leadstono
otherconclusionexceptthat(i.e.conspiracy

amongthemexisted)

28.Inescapably,therefore,
29.Allthingsconsidered,
30.Itfollowsthereforethat
31.Asalogicalresult
32.Insum,..
33.Inviewofthefactthat,
34.Alltold,
35.Giventheprevailingfacts
36.Havingstatedtheforegoingpremises,
37.Onenalpoint,
38.Accordingly,

Usingtheoutlineandtherstlinersabove,makeaformatormodelofyouranswerandusewhatyou
deemisapplicableinagivenquestion.Youmaymakeyourownmodelsasmanyasyouwantbutitis
suggestedtohaveatleast10models.Herearesomeexamples(takenfrommy2007BarTipstoNEUand
INCBarExaminees):

No/Yes.Hecan/cannot..,

Thelawprovidesthat/TheSupremeCourthasheldinalineofcases

Inthecaseatbar..

Hence..

Xsclaimisnotmeritorious,hencethecaseshouldbedecidedagainsthim

Accordingtothelaw/TheSupremeCourt,inmanycases,hasruledthat.

Basedonthefactsofthecase

Therefore/Consequently...

The....isproper/tenable/untenable

Itisawellse ledrule/Asprovidedforunderthe

Moreover....Hence/Therefore

UndertheprovisionsofRA/Constitution/Law/Statute....

Ontheproblemathand..,..Consequently

Ontheotherhand.

Assuchitshouldberuled

ENUMERATION
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ENUMERATION

Therealsecretinrememberingthema erscontainedinanenumerationistheuseofkeywords.Make
yourkeywordsonenumerationsyouconsiderimportant.Neverleaveablankinanenumeration!
However,ifyouusethele ersa,b,c,etc.fornumbersintheenumeration,somuchthebe er.Tento
one,theexaminermaynotcounthisngers.Maketherstfourintheenumerationdenitelygood.

Ifyoucanenumerateall,writeitinbulletedornumberedformtohighlightthefactthatyouknowallof
themandformoreconvenientreading

purposes.

1.

2.

3.

Ifyoucannotenumerateall,writeitinparagraphformsothatitwouldnoteasilybenoticeablethatyou
missedsomething.

1.Incapsuleform,thefollowingaretheelementsofthecrimeof_______
2.Inanutshell,thefollowingaretheelementsofthecrimeof_________
3.Thefollowingelementsaregenerallyconsideredinthedeterminationof

thepresenceof(i.e.employeremployeerelationship)

4.Amongthe(i.e.defenses/remedies)availableto(i.e.Mr.X)asprovidedforby/inthe(i.e.CivilCode)
are:

(1)

(2)

5.Thefollowingaretherequisitesfor
6.Inorderthatacasefor(i.e.B.P.22)toprosper,thefollowingelementsmustbea endant/present:
7.Toconstitute(i.e.homicide),thefollowingrequisitesmustconcur:
8.(i.e.Legalcompensation)requirestheconcurrenceofthefollowingconditions:
9.Toestablishapersonsculpabilityunder(i.e.estafa),itisindispensable

that

DISTINCTION

Whenbeingaskedtodistinguish,donotstateitsdenition.Ifyougiveitsdenition,youareineect
askingtheexaminertoextractoutthedierencesofthetwo[ormore]fromyourdenition.Donotalso
givetheirsimilarities.Youareaskedtodierentiateandcontrast,sosimilaritiesarenotincluded.The
numberofdistinctionsyouwillgivemustalsobeproportionateonthepointsallo edforsuch.Ifitis
onlyworthtwopoints,donotgive8distinctions.Theexaminercannotgiveyou8pointsforthat.Fora
twopointdistinctionquestion,perhaps,threewouldbeenough(fourisnottoomuch).

1.The(i.e.two)maybedistinguishedfromeachotherinthefollowing
ways:
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ways:

a.

b.

2.Intherst,itisnecessarythattherebe..,whereasintheseconditissucientthattherebe.
3.Intheformer,whileinthela er
4.Theformerrequireswhilethela er
5.ontheotherhand______________is

DEFINITION

1.________________isacomprehensivetermusedtodescribe_______.
2._________________,initsgenerallyacceptedsense,refersto.
3.Itisasafeguardandguaranteeprovidedbythe1987Constitution..
4.Itisakindofreliefgrantedtoa______________bythe
5.________________isabranchofpubliclaw(orprivatelaw)whichdealswith..
6.Itpertainsto
7.Itconnotesa.
8.isadoctrinein(i.e.CivilLaw)whichrefersto
9.isaprinciplein(i.e.CriminalLaw)whichstatesthat
10.Itpresupposes
11.Itsprincipalidentifyingfeatureis..
12.Itisakinto
13.Thefunctionofwhichisto
14.Theoceofwhichisto

REASONBEHINDTHELAW/CONCEPT/PRINCIPLE

1.Thepurposeofthelawis
2.Thelawisdesignedto
3.Itisintendedtoshield
4.Itisprimarilyaimedatprotecting____________fromunwarranted____
5.Therationalebehindthelawis
6.Thespiritofthelawistotheeectthat

ADDITIONALTIPSONHOWTOAPPROACHBARESSAYQUESTION

1.Finishingisthekey.ManyfailtheBarexam(h p://lawyerist.com/tag/barexam/)becausetheydont
nishtheexam.Theyspendsomuchtimeonanearlyquestionthattheycantnishthelaterones.
Ortheyworkonallofthequestionsatonce,butwithoutnishingsomeorallofthem.Eitherway,
theseBarcandidatesarewritingtooslowly,anditcoststhemtheirtickettoalawlicense.Focuson
onequestionatatime.Dontbotherorthinkofanotherquestionwhileansweringone.

2.Budgetyourtimeaccordingtothenumberofquestionsandlengthofproblems.Checkthepoint
percentageallocationforeachquestion.Thiswillbeyourguideonhowmuchtimeyouwillspend
foraquestion.Ofcourse,youwilldevotemoreminutestoquestionswithabigorhigherpercentage
(i.e.5%;10%)thanquestionswithaminimumpointpercentage(i.e.1%;2%).

3.Setatimeschedule.Itseasytowastetimebyge ingcarriedawaybyasinglequestionorbyge
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3.Setatimeschedule.Itseasytowastetimebyge ingcarriedawaybyasinglequestionorbyge ing

stuckonaquestionthatsgivingyoutrouble.Makeageneralallocationforeachquestionandadjust
thetimedependingontheirpercentageweight.Monitoryourpacesothatyoustaycalmandwillbe
abletoanswerallquestionsontheexam.

4.Ifthequestionislengthy,readrstwhatisrequiredatthebo omofthequestion.Bydoingthis,you
willbeabletodeterminewhatfactsdoyouneedandwhatfactsareimmaterial.Thiswillsaveyou
timefromrereadingthequestion.Youcanalsostartformulatingyouranswerinmindwhilereading
thequestion,thus,itwillbeeasierandfasterforyoutowriteyouranswerssinceyouarealready
guidedbyyourearlieranalysis.Itwillalsominimizeerrorsanderasures.

5.BeremindedthatoneofyourtaskswhilepreparingfortheBarexamistobecomeanexpertfact
pa ernreader.Sowhatdoyoudoifyouarentverygoodatreadingfacts?Youneedtoexperiment
withdierentwaystogetbe eratreadingfacts.PracticeansweringpastBarquestionsasmanyas
youcan.Analyzethesuggestedanswersandtakenotehowtheanswersusedthefactsinthe
problem.Remember,youwontgetallthepossiblepointsifyoudontunderstandwhattheBar
examinersareaskingyou.Youmustbecomeanexpertfactreaderinordertowriteacompleteexam
answer.

6.Beforeanswering,formulateonyourmindwhatwillbeplacedonyourrst,secondandthird
paragraphs.Mentallyapplyyouroutline.Therstparagraphnormallycontainsaonesentencedirect
tothepointanswertothequestion.Thesecondparagraphcommonlycontainslegalbasis(provision
oflawinpoint,jurisprudence,corelationofthejurisprudence/provisionwiththefactsofthecase
andapplication).Thirdparagraphnormallycontainstheconclusion.Whenyouarealreadydecided
ofyouranswer,writeitaccordingtoyourthoughts.Inthisapproach,youwillnotonlybeavoiding
unnecessaryrevisionsanderasures,youwillalsomaintainthecleanlinessofyourbooklet.Bearin
mindthat,adirtybookletisirritatingtotheeyesofthepersoncheckingthesame.

7.Uselogicorcommonsensewhenyoudonotknowtheanswer.Askthequestion,Whatisthebest
solutionorresolutionforthiscase?orIfIweretheexaminerhowdoIwantthequestion
answered?Donotjustguess,makeasmartguess.Yourbestguideistothinkwhatismostjustand
equitablesincethesearethepurposeanylawseekstoachieve.

8.Ifyoureallyhavenoideaonhowtoanswerareallydicultquestion,oraborderlinecase,oryoudo
notknowwhattheansweris,theuseofinvertedpyramidofansweringquestionmaybehelpful.
Thismaybedonebyinvertingtheusualanswerformat.Initially,presentyourknowledgeofthelaw
and/orjurisprudence,thenmakeyoursmartguess.Withthis,youmaybeabletoshoworconvince
theexaminerthatyouknowsomethingabouttheissuebutyouweremerelyincorrectinyour
conclusion,youmaygetacreditforyouranswer.

9.Numberyouransweraccordingly.DontmaketheExaminersearchforyouranswers.Makeyour
answerlookprofessional.Dontusetextspeakanddontabbreviate.Answerswhichlook
professional,arewellorganizedandwhichuseparagraphsandindentingwhereappropriatemake
theExaminersjobeasier.

10.Ananswertoonequestioninoneproblemrequiresaseparatepage.Answerstosubquestionsmay
bepresentedcontinuouslyinapageseparatedbyspace/s.Itissuggested,however,thateven
answerstosubquestionsbepresentedonseparatepage,unlessyouranswerisveryshort,sothatin
caseyouwanttochangeanyorincaseyouhavemissedasubquestion,youcanstillinsertyour
answerintheremainingspacesofthepage.
11.Dontsubmityourtestbooklettooearly.Theresnoprizeforearlynishers.Budgetandutilizeall 13/15
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5/5/2017 HOWTOANSWERBAREXAMESSAYQUESTIONSIMPRESSIVELYlawyerwannabe

11.Dontsubmityourtestbooklettooearly.Theresnoprizeforearlynishers.Budgetandutilizeall
thetimeallocatedforyouto:(a)composegoodanswers;(b)reviewyouranswers;and(c)write
legibly.

12.Practice,practice,practice.PracticeisvitaltoyoursuccessintheBarexam.Youmustgetused
answeringBaressayquestions.Theonlywaytoknowifyoucan(orifyouknowthelaw)isto
practice.AnsweringBarquestionsregularlywillhelpyoulearnthelawaswellasbecomeabe er
tester.Therearemanysamplebarexamessayquestionsandanswersavailableontheinternet.You
mayalsondtheQ&ApublishedbytheUPLawCenterhelpful.

13.Thekeytosuccessinanyendeavorispreparation.Familiaritywiththestructureoftheessay
questionsandhowyourespondtothemwillgoalongwayinalleviatingyouranxietyontestday.
Youjobistopracticetheapproachwevejustoutlinedsothatitbecomessoautomaticbyexamday
thatyoumovefromonesteptotheotherwithoutmissingabeat.

14.Atleasttwiceduringyourbarprep(ideallyfour),doasimulatedBarexamday.Doamockversion
ofit.ThekeyistopracticeunderconditionssimilartotheactualBarexaminations.Thiswillmake
youmindfuloftimeconstraintsandmorecomfortablewhenyouapproachtherealtest,theBar
exam.

15.Finally,PRAY!

ThetaskaheadofusisnotasgreatasthePowerbehindus.

MaytheForcebewithyou!!!

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5/5/2017 HOWTOANSWERBAREXAMESSAYQUESTIONSIMPRESSIVELYlawyerwannabe
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