Duke University School of Law Moot Court Board

Written Brief Scoring Criteria
I.
  Points Possible   Points Awarded
SUBSTANCE (max. 65 points)
  A.
  (3)    
Question(s) Presented
    1.
       
Includes relevant facts (1)
    2.
       
Identifies correct issue(s) (1)
    3.
       
States issue(s) clearly and concisely (1)
  B.
  (8)    
Statement of the Case
    1.
       
Distinguishes relevant from irrelevant facts (1)
    2.
       
States facts accurately (2)
    3.
       
Organizes facts into a clear picture (2)
    4.
       
Maintains objectivity, yet written persuasively (3)
  C.
  (10)    
Summary of the Argument
    1.
       
Outlines the argument (3)
    2.
       
Incorporates key facts (2)
    3.
       
Acknowledges rules of law (2)
    4.
       
Persuasiveness (3)
  D.
  (44)    
Argument
    1.
       
Treatment of Issues
      a.
       
Puts issues and sub-issues into logical order (3)
      b.
       
States topic at the start of the discussion (2)
    2.
       
Rules of Law
      a.
       
Discusses precedential cases in support of argument (3)
      b.
       
Uses the relevant facts of the precedential cases (3)
      c.
       
Derives holdings from precedential cases (3)
      d.
       
Synthesizes holdings into coherent rule of law (3)
      e.
       
Support all statements of law (3)
    3.
       
Analysis of the Issues
      a.
       
Analogizes / distinguishes case facts with from fact the problem (5)
      b.
       
Presents favorable arguments (5)
      c.
       
Anticipates adverse argument (5)
      d.
       
Applies a synthesized rule to the facts of the problem (4)
    4.
       
Conclusion directly and persuasively leads to desired outcome (5)
II.
       
RESEARCH (max. 10 points)
  A.
  (5)    
Discovered proper authorities
  B.
  (5)    
Accorded proper weight to authorities
III.
       
FORM (max. 25 points)
  A.
  (5)    
Elements / Format followed
    1.
       
Title page (1)
    2.
       
Adhered to page limitations (1)
    3.
       
Table of Contents (1)
    4.
       
Table of Authorities (1)
    5.
       
General appearance (1)
  B.
  (10)    
Grammar and Writing
    1.
       
This criterion requires of judges a general evaluation of the brief, looking specifically for typos, sentence construction, transitions, internal consistency,
and general flow (10)
  C.
  (10)    
Citations adhere to Bluebook format
 
  (100)    
TOTAL (max. 100 points)
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