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2L/3L Guide: Upper Level Writing

Detailed guidance for upper level writing projects

The JD Writing Requirement guide provides a full overview of the process for developing and refining a topic within the general Option 1 or Option 2 frameworks, and also covers considerations for submitting a paper to a journal for publication as a student note. The JD Writing Requirement guide sections include:

  • Picking a topic of interest
  • Developing the scope and claim of your paper, including preemption checking (vetting and reworking your thesis to ensure your research will be novel and useful)
  • Organizing and managing your research and citations, with tips, sample documents, and software features for tracking your work
  • The drafting, editing, and workshopping process
  • Taking your paper to the next level for publication

Resources for extended and scholarly writing projects

Managing a research/drafting process

  • learn about citation management/research management (Main library guide) to track, organize, and cite research materials
  • we recommend Zotero (an open-source, freemium platform with good documentation and Bluebooking features): Zotero Setup Basics (3-page PDF) and Zotero & Juris-M Basics (presentation slides)
  • coming soon: YouTube channel with how-tos on Zotero and more support for your research and drafting process

Non-law resources and help

As a Berkeley Law student you have access to the research collections and resources of the University Library (the "main" library), which can help with cross-disciplinary research projects:

  • UC Library Search (search books, articles, and more from the main library's wide array of resources for scholarly and other materials)
  • main library research guides on a variety of non-law and interdisciplinary topics, resources, and research strategies
  • Databases A-Z from the main library - filter from over 1,500 resources for lists of recommended and useful databases for different subject/departmental areas (e.g., Gender and Women's Studies; Environmental Science, Policy & Management) or resource types (e.g., Statistics & Numeric Data; Archival Collections & Primary Sources)

A Student Research Appointment with a law librarian can be an ideal way to get individualized help exploring some of these resources, and/or to get connected to subject specialist experts at the main library for further in-depth consultation

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Considerations for publishing

Related to publishing your upper level writing and research, your upper level experience may include working as an editor on a student-led journal. Some library resources for Journal Management tasks are included in this guide.