Directed Research & Topic Selection

As you all know, in order to graduate RWU Law you must complete the school’s writing requirement “under the direct supervision of a professor or director of an institute” during which you “must write an individually authored paper that reflects substantial legal research; presents a legal argument that is well-developed, organized, and supported; is at least 5500 words long; and is of sufficient quality to earn a grade of “C” or higher.”

One way this requirement can be fulfilled is by writing a directed research paper.

Once you have a faculty member chosen who has agreed to supervise you, the next big step is selecting a topic. This time of year is prime time for directed research topic selection and it is important to remember that you have resources beyond your supervisory professor. The law library and the law librarians are willing to help you identify resources and discuss your research plan. Many students come to the library and meet with the librarians with some vague idea of what they are interested in researching but need a conversation with a research expert to help formalize their proposed thesis.  

The library has resources for the writing process, from topic selection to writing improvement texts. The library also provides individualized research consultations for students who are working with faculty on a directed research paper. These sessions are being moved to Zoom this year and are focused on developing research strategies based on your individual needs.  

Furthermore, we encourage students to meet with Dr. Justin Kishbaugh, Associate Director of Academic Success & Professor of Writing. (If you are interested in scheduling a writing consultation, he can be reached at jkishbaugh@rwu.edu.)

Here are other helpful resources:

• Basic information on selecting a topic can be found on our page TimeSaver: Selecting a Topic.
• Information on legal research and writing can be found on our page TimeSaver: Legal Research and Writing.
• Information on topic development and preemption can be found in our LawGuide for Law Review.
• To schedule a research consultation with a law librarian, contact us via Ask a Librarian, or by email to LawLibraryHelp@rwu.edu. 

Before you get started on the directed research paper, take a dive into the entertaining article A Compendium of Clever and Amusing Law Review Writings -- An Idiosyncratic Bibliography of Miscellany with In Kind Annotations Intended as a Humorous Diversion for the Gentle Reader (51 Drake L. Rev. 105 (2002)).