LSAT Writing Section Strategy

LSAT Writing Sample Introduction

The LSAT Argumentative Writing task was introduced in 2024 as an updated version of the exam's writing sample. Test takers are given a debatable prompt, as well as three to four different perspectives that provide additional context to the issue. They are then asked to draft an essay that presents a concise and well-organized argument using at least some of the information contained in the perspectives. The Argumentative Writing task is unscored and may be taken up to eight days before the multiple-choice part of the LSAT, or up to one year after. The Argumentative Writing task is taken on a laptop or desktop and is remotely proctored through the computer's webcam and microphone.

Test takers are given a total of 50 minutes to complete their essay. The first 15 minutes are used for prewriting analysis, allowing test takers to gather their thoughts and organize points they want to make via the provided digital notepad. Test takers are also given questions to assist them in thinking through and analyzing the information they have been given. After this, they have 35 minutes to craft their essay. Prospective law students are required to have a writing sample on file for their LSAT scores to be sent to designated law programs, and if a writing sample has been completed with the last five years, the Argumentative Writing task does not need to be completed again.

The Most Effective Strategies for Writing a Strong Essay

When it comes to completing the Argumentative Writing task, there is no word or space limit; however, LSAC encourages test-takers to focus on crafting a well-organized and concise argument rather than being overly concerned about how many words they use to do this.

Given that the essay is unscored, some test takers put little effort into preparing for this aspect of the exam. This is a mistake. Law programs do read essays and often use them when deciding between two candidates who are otherwise very similar. Over the past few years, law programs have expressed concerns about the rise of AI-assisted writing technologies used by prospective students to craft personal statements and complete law school applications. In fact, the desire of law schools to better understand the inherent writing abilities of applicants was an important reason why the Writing task was revised in 2024.

Fortunately, the Argumentative Writing task can be mastered with a thorough understanding of the task and focused practice. The amount of practice test takers put into writing a commanding essay will likely not be as extensive as preparing for the multiple-choice sections of the LSAT. But some practice is strongly encouraged, as the more familiar you are with writing an essay within a strict time limit, the better you will perform when completing the task for real.

Here are the most effective strategies to keep in mind for the Argumentative Writing task:

Prewriting Phase: 15 minutes

Read with a critical eye and a sense of urgency: Over the span of 15 minutes, you will read the question prompt and the various provided perspectives. Read these with a critical eye and a sense of urgency, as if you were completing a Reading Comprehension passage.
Determine your position on the issue: After reading the provided information, notice whether you have an opinion or "gut reaction" to the issue. Remember, there are no right or wrong positions here—what matters is choosing a position and supporting it. You are not being evaluated on what position you take, but how well you support that position.

If you read the prompt and perspectives and don't feel an immediate reaction, there's no reason to worry. Writing from a place of personal investment may make writing the essay easier, but having an immediate reaction to the prompt and/or perspectives is not necessary to create a compelling argument. If nothing resonates with you, that's perfectly fine. Simply choose a position and use the available information that will most help you support it.

Note what you agree or disagree with: As you read each perspective, use the provided digital notepad to jot down things you do or do not agree with. Some perspectives may not provide much information for you to work with, but others will give you more than enough information to balance things out. You do not need to address every single point in every single perspective, but you should address at least some of the points being made.
Write down your thesis statement: Having a clear thesis statement, or at least the beginnings of one, will make writing your essay significantly easier when you transition into the writing part of the task.
Don't be afraid to include personal experience: If you have personal experience or helpful examples that relate to the topic and can be included in your essay, use them! The point of this essay is not simply to regurgitate the information you've already been given, but to write a strong and coherent argument. While you should certainly address aspects of the given perspectives, emphasizing personal experience where it adds value can make your essay more interesting and compelling.

Writing Phase: 35 minutes

Establish your position: The first paragraph of your essay should make your position on the issue clear. The people who will read your essay are not reading it the same way you would read a mystery novel. They do not want to be kept in suspense, and they are not hoping for plot twists or surprises. Be as clear as you can be about your position, because the clearer you are, the easier it will be to support your argument.
Decide on the best order for supporting paragraphs: There is no need to respond to each perspective you are given one by one, or to address every point made within a particular perspective. Once you know what points you want to make to support your argument, organize paragraphs around those points, then arrange those paragraphs in the order that provides the best flow and ease of readability.
End with a solid conclusion: Conclusions do not need to be brilliant or offer an unexpected revelation. They simply need to show how the points you raised in your supporting paragraphs relate back to the thesis in your first paragraph.
Manage your time wisely: If you find yourself running out of time, focus on completing your essay rather than addressing grammatical flaws or spelling errors. After you have a complete essay, you can always go back and make additional edits, but you do not want to run out of time and fail to write a conclusion, or leave important information out of a supporting paragraph.

Sample Essay Outline

There is no single right way to craft a strong essay, and what works for one test taker may not be effective for another. While most essays are 3 to 5 paragraphs long, what ultimately matters is generating a cohesive, well-supported argument. The more you practice writing essays, the better sense you will have of how many paragraphs you need to create the strongest argument possible. It can be helpful to keep the following outline in mind when drafting your essay:

Paragraph 1: Introduce the issue and provide a one-sentence thesis in which you make your position on the issue clear.

Paragraph 2: Make your first argument, Argument #1, drawing on one of the provided perspectives and incorporating any personal experience where relevant.

Paragraph 3: Make your second argument, Argument #2, drawing on a second provided perspective and incorporating any personal experience where relevant.

Paragraph 4: Offer an opposing argument and respond to that argument, highlighting flaws, paradoxes, or logical reasoning fallacies.

Paragraph 5: Write a brief conclusion that summarizes your thesis and demonstrates how the points made in your supporting paragraphs relate to the thesis.

Alternate Essay Outlines

Below are two alternate essay outlines you might want to consider using:

Essay Outline #1:

Paragraph 1: Introduce the issue and provide a one-sentence thesis in which you make your position on the issue clear.

Paragraph 2: Make your first argument, Argument #1, drawing on one of the provided perspectives and incorporating any personal experience where relevant.

Paragraph 3: Make your second argument, Argument #2, drawing on a second provided perspective and incorporating any personal experience where relevant.

Paragraph 4: Write a brief conclusion that summarizes your thesis and demonstrates how the points made in your supporting paragraphs relate to the thesis.

Essay Outline #2:

Paragraph 1: Introduce the issue and provide a one-sentence thesis in which you make your position on the issue clear.

Paragraph 2: Make your first argument, Argument #1, drawing on one of the provided perspectives and incorporating any personal experience where relevant.

Paragraph 3: Offer an opposing argument and respond to that argument, highlighting flaws, paradoxes, or logical reasoning fallacies.

Paragraph 4: Write a brief conclusion that summarizes your thesis and demonstrates how the points made in your supporting paragraphs relate to the thesis.

Again, the number of paragraphs your essay has is not as important as making a strong argument that is well-supported by information from the various perspectives, as well as your own relevant personal experience. The most persuasive arguments are not lengthy and rambling; they are focused, well-organized, and make logical sense as you progress from one paragraph to the next.