LSAT Writing Sample Tips

The LSAT will ask you only to evaluate two choices—not to evaluate an argument. Argument writing prompts were discontinued in June 2007.

A good writing sample is direct and gets to the point. Even though they give you a whole page, don’t feel like you need to use every line. Instead, state your conclusion—your main point—in your first sentence. Then support it. Then stop.

1. In the first sentence, state which choice you support.

2. In the next three to six sentences, give three reasons why you support it.

• Make sure each reason relates to the two criteria.
• Keep it short but substantive by not repeating yourself.

3. Show that you understand the benefits of the other choice by concluding with one or two sentences starting with “although.” Here’s a good format to follow:

• Although the [other choice] has benefit X, person Y should still go with [your choice] because of reason Z.

That's it. No need to go further. Writing more for the sake of writing more will hurt your writing sample. They won't appreciate your verbosity.