Devoted entirely to developing your practical skill in argument, your engagement and practice in this module builds ability and understanding that will benefit you in successful legal professional practice - and across many other areas of employment and everyday activity. Despite frequent mention in educational and employment contexts (where the skill is often tested as part of an interview process), few graduates have received the formal training needed to present knowledgeable, winning argument consistently and with self-belief. This module is therefore designed to provide you with a critical edge, empowering you to engage in argument effectively in any situation, both by developing the skill of presenting a compelling case, and by sharpening your awareness of when poor or underhand arguments are being used against you, enabling you to call these out wherever they arise. Requiring no previous knowledge of any area of law, you will develop expertise in strategy, logic, fallacy identification and rhetoric from the ground up, in the only pure skills module in the law curriculum.
Lecture/Workshops 14 hours, Seminars 18 hours
Short writing piece. Assessment Details: Short argument (1000 words) worth 40% of total marks for the module.
Extended writing. Assessment Details: Essay (2500 words) worth 60% of total marks for the module. This Assessment is Pass Compulsory.
Reassessment Method: Single instrument100% written assessment (2,500 words)
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On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1.Apply a systematic understanding of argumentative strategy, logic, fallacy identification and rhetoric in the composition of argument
2.Identify different types of strategy, logic, fallacy and rhetoric in given arguments, and to articulate and critique these in effective communication
3.Rank the strengths and weaknesses of arguments across a range of formal and informal criteria
4.Deploy persuasively the underlying concepts and principles of effective argument in contexts beyond those in which they were introduced in module learning
5.Present both sound and weak argument with persuasive force, and present cogent and persuasive responses to challenge.
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