How to tackle the new LSAT Writing Sample

In addition to the major format change in the LSAT this year, the writing sample is changing too — and you need to care about it.

The LSAT writing sample has been a component of the law school application process for a long time, but students traditionally didn’t worry too much about it. The advice in the past was to just make sure you wrote something coherent and organized, and then don’t worry too much beyond that.

With the new LSAT writing sample starting in August 2024, students should start to take the writing portion of the exam more seriously. 

The new LSAT writing sample provides admissions committees with a direct demonstration of an applicant’s writing ability, critical thinking skills, and capacity for logical reasoning under time constraints.

While the writing sample is not scored, it is forwarded to law schools along with the LSAT score report.

And increasingly, law schools ARE reading it. Especially in the age of AI, it is becoming more and more important for law schools to make sure applicants have the writing skills necessary to succeed in law school and beyond.

So don’t brush off the new LSAT Writing Sample. Prep more for the actual LSAT, of course, but do prep for the writing sample as well.

In what follows, we’ll talk through what the writing sample consists of and how to tackle it.

Prompt Structure

The new LSAT Writing Sample prompt has several parts:

Introduction to an issue. You’ll be presented with some background information on an issue, along with an overview of some different opinions or perspectives on the issue.

Key question. This is the actual question you need to answer in your essay. The question will be more open-ended than the questions in previous LSAT writing prompts. Something more along the lines of “How should governments balance the need for healthcare reforms with the demand for tax cuts?” instead of old essay prompts that give you two explicit options, like “Should Company X sign a contract with Venue A or Venue B?”

Perspectives. You’ll then be given 3–4 perspectives from stakeholders in the debate. Maybe you’ll hear from a politician, a healthcare worker, an economist, and a social worker, for example. These perspectives may align in some areas, contrast in others, or may just simply look at the issue from different lenses. You are free to fully or partially agree with any of the perspectives, or you can present your own opinion.

Pre-writing analysis and guiding questions. LSAC oh-so-helpfully gives you a few questions to think about and some ideas for how to plan your essay. Things like “consider which perspective you find most compelling” and “think about the things that would strengthen or weaken a perspective.” These guiding questions are generic and don’t seem to vary according to the prompt, so read them once, internalize them, and don’t bother with them in the future.

(If you took the ACT in high school and are having ACT Writing Test flashbacks, that’s because this essay prompt structure is extremely similar to the essay prompts used on the ACT since 2015.)

Example Prompt

Lawhub has a few example writing samples that you definitely should work through. But because they have only released 3 so far (and 1 in Spanish), here’s one I created in the same format:

Background:

 Universities play a crucial role in advancing knowledge and addressing societal issues, sparking debate over whether to prioritize research that tackles global challenges, like climate change, or research in specific academic fields, like theoretical physics. Proponents of focusing on global challenges argue that such research leads to immediate benefits, such as sustainable energy solutions. Conversely, advocates for specific academic fields emphasize that fundamental research can underpin future technological innovations. The allocation of university research resources impacts technological progress, economic development, environmental sustainability, and social equity. Decisions on research priorities can shape scientific breakthroughs, solutions to global challenges, and the preparedness of future generations to tackle complex problems. Therefore, it is important to consider to what extent universities should prioritize research addressing global challenges over research advancing specific academic fields.

KEY QUESTION:

 To what extent, if any, should universities prioritize research that addresses global challenges over research that advances knowledge in a specific academic field?

Perspective 1 — an excerpt from a speech by a politician 

 As a legislator deeply concerned with public welfare, I stand before you today to emphasize the need for universities to focus on global challenges like climate change, public health, and poverty. Research in these critical areas can yield significant and immediate societal benefits, improving the quality of life worldwide. Moreover, prioritizing such research attracts substantial funding from governments and organizations eager to support solutions to these pressing issues. This not only benefits the universities financially but also enhances their public image as institutions committed to global well-being.

Perspective 2 — an excerpt from an interview with a theoretical physicist 

 In a world driven by immediate results, the long-term value of fundamental research can often be overlooked. As a theoretical physicist, I advocate for the importance of advancing knowledge in specific academic fields. Fundamental research in areas like physics, mathematics, and literature may not have immediate practical applications, but it lays the groundwork for future breakthroughs. Ensuring that all academic disciplines receive adequate support and funding is crucial, as today’s theoretical research can lead to tomorrow’s technological innovations. Neglecting these fields risks stifling long-term scientific progress and innovation.

Perspective 3 — an excerpt from an article by a social activist

 Universities must prioritize research that addresses the most pressing global challenges of our time. Climate change, social inequality, and public health crises are not abstract issues — they affect real people, right now. Research focused on these areas can lead to tangible improvements in people’s lives, from reducing carbon emissions to ensuring equitable access to healthcare. By focusing their resources on these urgent needs, universities can be at the forefront of driving social justice and creating a fairer, healthier world. It’s time for universities to step up and show that they are truly committed to making a difference.

Perspective 4 — an excerpt from a report by a university admissions officer

 Universities should take a balanced approach, allocating resources to both global challenges and fundamental research. This strategy allows institutions to address urgent societal needs while fostering long-term academic growth. Supporting a diverse range of research initiatives attracts a wide array of students and faculty, enhancing the university’s reputation as a comprehensive center of learning and innovation.

How to Tackle the new LSAT Writing Sample

Phase 1: Prewriting Analysis

Duration: 15 minutes

Thankfully, the new LSAT writing sample gives you an extra 15 minutes during which you can start planning out your essay. During this time, your task is to read the prompt and perspectives, then gather your thoughts, decide on your position, and create a rough outline of your essay.

Step 1: Read the prompt critically

• Identify the key question and the core issue that requires your opinion.
• Understand why this issue is still debated.

Step 2: Read and analyze each perspective

• If you have a gut reaction opinion in response to the key question, jot down that answer so that you can then weigh the presented perspectives against your own. As you read them, consider where they align or disalign with your own perspective.
• If you don’t have an opinion on the issue, no worries. You can form one while reading through the perspectives. As you read them, note which points seem persuasive to you. Also make note of any points you find unpersuasive or flawed.
• You don’t have to incorporate all of the perspectives into your final essay, but you will want to engage with some of the points from at least some of the perspectives. So decide which points are going to be easiest for you to either agree with or take issue with in your essay.
• If you can think of examples or arguments from your own experience or knowledge that would be relevant to the question, include them in your notes as well. You shouldn’t restrict yourself to just the information presented to you.

Step 3: Solidify your position & outline your argument

• After reading through all of the presented perspectives, decide on the position you want to take in your essay. There is no right or wrong position. The best position to take is the one you can best defend.
• Plan the structure of your essay, including the points you will make and the order in which you will present them.
• If you have time, you can start drafting your thesis statement, but note that you will not be able to copy-and-paste it into your essay. (You will still be able to see it, but will have to retype it from your notes.)

Phase 2: Writing

Duration: 35 minutes

Here is an outline you can use for your essay.

Paragraph 1: Thesis

• Briefly restate the central issue.
• Clearly state your thesis.

No need for extra fluff or detail here. Just make your position clear and move on to the body paragraphs.

Paragraph 2: Argument #1

• Give your strongest reason for your stance, using one of the given perspectives that support your argument.
• Provide a specific example or additional reasoning to support your argument.

Paragraph 3: Argument #2

• Give another reason for your stance, either drawing on another of the given perspectives or providing your own.
• Provide a specific example or additional reasoning to support your argument.

Paragraph 4: Respond to Opposing Perspective

• Start with a transition/topic sentence that introduces the opposing side or that anticipates an objection to your perspective.
• Explain why you disagree with that opposing perspective.
• Provide a specific example to support your argument against this perspective.

Paragraph 5: Conclusion

• Restate your thesis and summarize your main arguments.

Like the introduction, this paragraph can also be short and sweet. Focus on adding more detail and depth to your body paragraphs. Don’t worry about having a robust intro or conclusion.

Tips for Writing

Stay focused. Concentrate on presenting a coherent and logically structured argument.

Write clearly. You don’t need to write with flowery language or ornate prose. Get your ideas across in precise, concise, and clear ways.

Engage with the perspectives. You don’t need to respond to all of them, but you should engage with at least some of them. The easiest option is to paraphrase an idea from one of the perspectives, but you can also incorporate a direct quote as long as you do so with proper punctuation and grammar.

Manage Your Time. Focus on first just getting your essay complete. Then if time permits, fine-tune it by adding details and checking your grammar.