Paralegal Certification PrepLegal Research and WritingMedium
A paralegal is drafting an interoffice memorandum regarding a client's potential breach of contract claim. After stating the facts and the question presented, the next section of the memo should typically be the 'Brief Answer.' What is the primary purpose of the 'Brief Answer' section?
- ATo provide a detailed analysis of all legal arguments.
- BTo list all primary and secondary sources used in the research.
- CTo summarize the conclusion of the analysis and provide a concise answer to the 'Question Presented.'
- DTo re-state the facts of the case in a more persuasive manner.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. To summarize the conclusion of the analysis and provide a concise answer to the 'Question Presented.'
The 'Brief Answer' section serves to provide a direct, concise answer to the 'Question Presented,' typically in one or two sentences, followed by a brief explanation or summary of the key reasons supporting that answer. It allows the reader to quickly grasp the memo's conclusion.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A detailed analysis belongs in the 'Discussion' section, not the 'Brief Answer'.
- B. Listing sources is done in a 'Table of Authorities' or 'Works Cited' section, usually at the end of a formal brief or report.
- D. Re-stating facts persuasively is generally done in a brief, not an objective interoffice memo, and not in the brief answer section.
Brief Answer (Legal Memo)
A concise, direct answer to the 'Question Presented' in a legal memorandum, usually followed by a brief summary of the key reasons for that answer.
- Directly answers the 'Question Presented'.
- Typically one to two sentences.
- Provides a brief summary of the conclusion's reasoning.
- Appears early in the memo, after the facts and question presented.
Memory trick: Answer Briefly, Explain Quickly.