Clear the Throat Clearers
Throat clearers are introductory phrases or sentences that writers use to start their responses but do not add substantive value to the answer. These can include statements like "I think," "I feel," "I believe," or "It is important to note that."
You should stay away from throat clearers in bar exam essay responses for several reasons:
It wastes time: Every minute is crucial during the bar exam. Throat clearers take up valuable time that could be better spent on directly addressing the issues and providing a clear, concise analysis.
It reduces clarity and precision: Bar exam graders look for clear and precise answers. Throat clearers can make responses seem verbose and less direct, potentially obscuring the main points and making it harder for graders to identify the candidate’s understanding and analysis of the legal issues.
It lowers the overall quality of the response: Throat clearers can make a response seem less professional and polished. Direct and concise writing demonstrates confidence and mastery of the material, which is what graders are looking for.
It distracts from the substance: Including unnecessary introductory phrases can distract both the examinee and the exam grader from the substantive legal analysis. The focus should be on the legal issues, applicable laws, and how the facts apply to those laws.
Instead of writing "I think the contract is unenforceable,” write “The contract is unenforceable,”
Instead of writing "I feel the Settlor’s amendment of the inter vivos trust is valid,” write “The Settlor’s amendment of the inter vivos trust is valid
Instead of writing "I believe the defendant is liable for negligence," write "The defendant is liable for negligence."
Instead of writing "It is important to note that the U.C.C. applies to the sale of the knives," write “the U.C.C. applies to the sale of the knives.”
