Research & Writing I

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Research & Writing I

PAR 111 - Introduction

Mike Brigner, J.D.

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Why Are We Here?

Unsolicited comment from a recent Sinclair Paralegal Program graduate:

“I have now graduated, and also got married this past June. I also am

working for Attorney ____ as a Paralegal. I must admit that the job is

more fascinating than I could have ever imagined.”

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Advice from Your Classmates

I would advise students who take this course in the future that:

Pay close attention to use of the library

Sometimes it gets hectic in the LRC with everyone wanting the same books

Be ready; take your time!

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Advice from Your Classmates

Allow plenty of time for each activity and the exam

Do not put off assignmentsContinually work on projects;

don’t wait till the last day to work on it

You do a lot of research that is very beneficial in learning legal resources

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Lexis ID Number URGENT!

By the end of first week of class If you do not already have a Lexis ID# for this

school year (through next August 31)You must go to Sinclair Tartan Bookstore to

purchase ID ($44)Lexis ID is mandatory

If no Lexis ID, you will be administratively withdrawn from all LAP classes

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Your Professor for This Course

Mike Brigner– Teaching at SCC since late ’70’s– Former News Reporter, Judge– National Domestic Violence

Consultant & Trainer– Author of 100+ Legal Articles

– Would Rather be on a Bicycle

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Reaching Me

Office: Room 5348PAR Office: 5141Mailbox: 5141 (NOT

under door of office!)ADVICE:

Appointment is recommended, usually in CIL instead of office

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Reaching Me

Voice Mail: 512-2950 (leave date & time!)

Discussion BoardE-mail through

My.SinclairADVICE: E-mail is

recommended over phone call

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Read Your Syllabus

Contact InfoKey DatesWebsites, & Other ResourcesGrading & ExpectationsClass Procedures & PoliciesCourse OutlineAll Assignments & Due Dates

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More Syllabus

TextOther ResourcesWebsite ResourcesGradingQuizzesClass Procedures & PoliciesExtra Credit

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Basis of Grade

7 Projects 35 points eachProject #8 Long Memo 100 pointsQuizzes (2 x 10 points) 20 pointsFinal Exam (Library) 75 pointsAmicus 30 pointsTimeslips 30 pointsNotebook with corrected Projects 20 pts.

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Basis of Grade

7 Projects 35 points each1. Sources of the Law

2. Finding the Law

3. More Finding the Law

4. Shepard’s Online

5. Lexis & Web Research

6. Legal Letters

7. Short Memo

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Class Notebooks (SeeSpecial Assignments Handout)

You get credit for same work 3 times!

Must include CORRECTED versions of Projects #1 through #7

Will be graded while you wait at last class

Worth 20 points

Requirements of Notebook:

a) separate binderb) includes ONLY

corrected versions (no correction marks)

c) of all of your graded Projects

d) tabbed in correct order

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Amicus/Timeslips (See Special Assignments Handout)

Amicus: Record all of your Assignments/Activities as To-Do's – WITH DETAILS

Record all of your class meeting time and other meetings as Appointments

This will be worth up to 30 points

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– Timeslips: Keep time for all of the work you do for this class – WITH DETAILS

– Record your time in the Timeslips program– Record your expenses, too - MANDATORY

Record AS YOU GO – at least WEEKLYNO advance entry (unethical)This will be worth up to 30 pointsEntries must follow STANDARDS FOR

AMICUS (handed out in training)

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TRAINING: Look for message on Discussion Board.

Entries must follow STANDARDS FOR AMICUS

(Standards are handed out in training)

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NAMES

– Timekeeper Name: Always the same: YOU– Client Name: “Marian Dewey”

NAMING SYSTEM FOR CLIENT– Client First Name = Marian– Middle Name = Your First Initial + Last Name– Client Last Name = Dewey

MY NAME = Marian MBrigner Dewey

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Easiest Ways to Lose Points

No cover page Incorrect cover pageNot reading instructionsNot checking My.SinclairSingle spacedNo spel checkkk & proofreadingLate assignmentsMissed classes

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Time Issues:

Studies show: Attendance is key factor in student success

You must SIGN IN for each class or lose points for that class!

No 15 Minute Rule. If Prof is delayed, use time to work on assignments.

SCC CLOSED on Monday, January 16

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Class Procedures & Policies

Follow Quality Standards in all

PAR work

Expectation = Letter-Perfect

Work

You work for the law firm of S, B, B & D

You must participate fully in group work

Late assignments

cost you 10%

No

handwritten assignments

Attendance mandatory, or lose 10 pts/ea

Complete cover page mandatory

BLANK SCREEN

ZONE!

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Classroom Etiquette

Check out “PAR Library”Need not ask to be excusedNO typing, printing, playing

on PC during class!No food, drink, or spittoonsThis is your law office; keep

it neat & organizedClean up your area at the

end of every class

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One Word

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Protect Your Work

Helping others learn is okayDoing their work is notDo not ask for or give copies or disksCopied work = ?

Failure for user AND donorProtect your paperworkProtect your disks

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Care & Feeding of Disks

“TECH HAPPENS”Label your disks!BACK UP! BACK UP!! BACK

UP!!! BACK UP!!!!“The computer ate my homework”

is not an acceptable excuseDon’t loan out your disks, or leave

them around for others to “borrow”

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SAVE YOUR WORK

Save ALL graded papersSave ALL corrected papers for notebookSave ALL work electronicallySave ALL corrected work electronicallyBACK UP all saved workYOU WILL NEED THESE for Internship

Portfolio, which is required for graduation

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LOG-ON IN 14-114:Name: stu-14-parPassword: <none>Domain: SCCA-NT

LOG-ON IN 14-306EName:

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http://my.sinclair.edu

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My.Sinclair

This is your main News & notice source It is YOUR responsibility to check DAILY E-MAIL: Personal news to/from ProfDISCUSSION BOARD: News for class

– Updates, corrections, jobs, class cancellations, extra credit, assignment tips

CALENDAR: All due dates, changes in due dates, class locations, free days

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My.Sinclair

ANNOUNCEMENTS:– From SCC or Prof.

– News, alerts appear on your home page

MYGRADES: Shows your absences & grades weekly. Check often. Email prof if you catch any errors.

EXTERNAL LINKS: Helpful links for this course– Lexis, Law Libraries, Ohio Supreme Court, Ohio

Revised Code, Montgomery County records, & more

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Communicating on My.Sinclair

With Professor:– E-mail for private messages (grades, illness)

• Use My.Sinclair address only

– Discussion Board for EVERYTHING ELSE• Class-related questions go HERE, not in E-mail

ALL Messages Should Begin W/Course #– Example:– Subject: 111.01 Projects, Are You Nuts?– Or: 111.50 Classmates, Are They Nuts?

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Communicating on My.Sinclair

With other students:– E-mail for private messages– Discussion Board for class info

We Are A Learning Community– Without “cheating” (doing each other’s work)

we help each other learn. This includes answering each other’s questions on the Discussion Board. If everyone is stumped, I will add suggestions.

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Sinclair People Website

All COURSE MATERIALS here– Projects, Forms, PowerPoints– In-Class Exercises, PAR Newsletter

If you want hard copy, print oneReplaces H Drivehttp://people.sinclair.edu/mikebrigner/

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SCC Disability Services Notice

Qualified individuals with disabilities who produce required documentation of their disability & self-identify their need for accommodations are eligible for disability services

(Someone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities and who, with or without accommodations, can meet the essential requirements for participation in a program)

Students are required to identify their needs & to register with the Sinclair Office of Disability Services in order to be eligible for academic adjustments. All services are based on individual needs.

For more info: http://sinclair.edu/stservices/edu/index.cfm

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Research & Writing I

Concluded Thank you

Mike Brigner, J.D.END OF CLASS: (EVERY Class) Clean up classroom; log off computers; check for personal property & computer disks; make sure you have signed in.

Documents

Research & Writing I