This skill provides specialized guidance tailored to the writing characteristics of legal scholarship.
I. Characteristics of Legal Scholarship
Differences from Other Disciplines
| Aspect | Legal Scholarship | General Humanities |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Legal argumentation, normative analysis | Argumentative logic |
| Citation | Legal documents, judicial cases, doctrine | Academic literature |
| Structure | Problem-oriented, normative analysis | Flexible and diverse |
| Language | Rigorous and precise, standardized terminology | May be moderately literary |
Common Types of Legal Scholarship
- Theoretical research: Fundamental legal theory, philosophy of law
- Normative analysis: Statutory interpretation, institutional analysis
- Case study: Analysis of typical cases, commentary on judicial precedents
- Comparative law research: Comparison of foreign legal systems
- Empirical research: Analysis of the effects of legal implementation
- Legislative research: Legislative proposals, institutional improvement
II. Structure of Legal Scholarship
Common Structural Models
Problem-oriented structure (most commonly used)
一、问题的提出
二、现行法律规定及其不足
三、域外经验与比较借鉴
四、完善建议
五、结语
Normative analysis structure
一、引言
二、[制度/概念]的界定
三、[制度/概念]的构成要件
四、[制度/概念]的法律效果
五、[制度/概念]的适用问题
六、结论
Case study structure
一、案情简介与争议焦点
二、裁判理由分析
三、学理评析
四、制度反思与建议
Comparative law structure
一、问题的提出
二、我国现行规定
三、域外立法例（德国法、日本法、英美法）
四、比较与借鉴
五、完善建议
III. Legal Citation Standards
Based on the Chinese Law Citation Manual (2020 edition)
Citation of Books
王利明：《民法总则研究》，中国人民大学出版社2018年版，第156页。
Citation of Journal Articles
张明楷：《刑法学中的概念使用与概念界定》，载《法学研究》2021年第3期，第75页。
Citation of Legal Documents
《中华人民共和国民法典》第1165条第1款。
Citation of Judicial Cases
张某诉李某合同纠纷案，最高人民法院（2020）最高法民终123号民事判决书。
Citation of Judicial Interpretations
《最高人民法院关于适用〈中华人民共和国民法典〉合同编通则若干问题的解释》（法释〔2023〕13号）第5条。
Citation of Foreign-Language Sources
English-language books
H.L.A. Hart, The Concept of Law (Oxford University Press 2012), p. 89.
English-language journals
Richard A. Posner, "The Decline of Law as an Autonomous Discipline", Harvard Law Review, Vol. 100, No. 4 (1987), pp. 761-780.
IV. Legal Writing Standards
Language Style
Accuracy
- ❌ This legal provision is not quite reasonable
- ✅ The following problems exist in the application of this provision
Normativity
- ❌ The court ruled incorrectly
- ✅ This judgment has points worthy of discussion regarding the application of law
Objectivity
- ❌ I think the law should be amended
- ✅ Based on the above analysis, the current provisions need improvement
Common Legal Expressions
Introducing the problem
- In practice, there exists the problem of...
- There is controversy in academic circles on this matter
- Current law is unclear on this
Analysis and argumentation
- From the perspective of literal interpretation
- From the perspective of systematic interpretation
- From the perspective of purposive interpretation
- From the perspective of historical interpretation
Comparison and reference
- Foreign legislative examples indicate that...
- Experience in comparative law shows that...
Drawing conclusions
- In summary
- Based on the above analysis
- It can thus be seen
V. Legal Research Methods
Normative analysis method
- Identify the legal norms to be analyzed
- Literal interpretation: literal meaning
- Systematic interpretation: relationship with other provisions
- Purposive interpretation: legislative purpose
- Historical interpretation: legislative background
- Comparative interpretation: foreign provisions
Case Analysis Method
- Case Summary: Fact Finding
- Points of Dispute: Distilling Legal Issues
- Judicial Analysis: The Court's Reasoning Logic
- Academic Commentary: Theoretical Support or Criticism
- Institutional Reflection: Suggestions for Improving Rules
VI. Law Thesis Checklist
Structure and Logic
- Clear problem awareness
- Clear levels of argumentation
- Natural transitions between sections
- Conclusion consistent with argumentation
Citation Standards
- Uniform citation format
- Accurate citation of legal provisions
- Complete citation of cases
- Standardized citation of foreign-language sources
Language Expression
- Accurate use of terminology
- Objective and standardized expression
- No colloquial expressions
Academic Standards
- Viewpoints have sources
- Complete citation annotations
- Clear points of innovation
VII. Commonly Used Resources
Legal Databases
- PKULaw: https://www.pkulaw.com/
- Wolters Kluwer: https://law.wkinfo.com.cn/
- China Judgments Online: https://wenshu.court.gov.cn/
CSSCI Law Journals
- China Legal Science, Chinese Journal of Law, Peking University Law Journal, The Jurist, Legal Science, Science of Law, Tribune of Political Science and Law, Modern Law Science, Studies in Law and Business, Law and Social Development