PLST 202
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OBJECTIVE MEMO: OUTLINE ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
In this assignment, you will create an outline for the Discussion section of your Objective Memo.
Later in this course, you will write an Objective Memo. In the Objective Memo assignment, you
will write a Legal Memorandum that objectively explains the rule in an area of law, and how that
rule then applies to our client’s facts. The specific area of law will be assigned to you by the
professor in Read: Outline and Rule Explanation Paragraph Prompt. To write the Objective
Memo, you must first create this outline for the Discussion section of that memo.
The Discussion section is organized into subsections that each explain one part of the rule. So,
the first step in the process of writing a legal memorandum is to create an outline of that
information. To create this outline, you must become very familiar with the cases you will use so
that you can categorize each case based on the part of the rule addressed in that subsection. The
four cases that should be used are listed in Read: Outline and Rule Explanation Paragraph
Prompt located in the Learn items for Module 3: Week 3. Reading and understanding the cases
is essential to this step of the process because you must understand which part of the rule each
case best explains. Once you can identify which part of the rule the case explains best, you can
then list that case under that corresponding subsection.
INSTRUCTIONS
After reviewing Read: Outline and Rule Explanation Paragraph Prompt located in the Learn
items for Module 3: Week 3, create an outline that breaks the rule down into parts. Below each
part of the rule, list 2-3 of the cases that best explain that part of the rule.
Assignment Requirements:
Length of assignment: 50-100 words
Format of assignment: Citations should be in Bluebook format
Number of citations: Four citations are required
Acceptable sources: Use only the four cases provided to you in Read: Outline and Rule
Explanation Prompt. No other sources should be used.
Submit your assignment as a .doc, .docx, .rtf, or .pdf document. All writing assignments
(not discussion boards) should be uploaded as an attachment. Do not submit your work in
the textbox.
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.
~ EXAMPLE ON NEXT PAGE ~
PLST 202
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EXAMPLE:
Here is an example of how you can create your outline.
Let’s assume that the issue is battery and that you have read four cases where the court breaks
down the rule for battery into three parts: (1) intentional, (2) harmful, (3) touching of another.
The next step is to determine which cases address which elements the best. Assume 4 cases were
assigned. Case 1 addresses ‘intentional’ and ‘harmful’ well, but not ‘touching of another.’ Case
2 addresses ‘harmful.’ Case 3 addresses ‘intentional’ and ‘touching of another.’ Case 4 addresses
‘touching of another.’ Here is an example of sorting these cases and creating the outline:
(1) Intentional
Case 1
Case 3
(2) Harmful
Case 1
Case 2
(3) Touching of Another
Case 3
Case 4
NOTE: Do not write “Case 1,” “Case 2”, etc. in your outline submission. You should write out
the full case citation that was provided to you in Read: Outline and Rule Explanation
Paragraph Prompt.
C R P
Rule 10 to >8.0 pts
Advanced
The rule has been broken
into the correct parts. The
breakdown of the parts of
the outline are consistent
with the breakdown of the
rule in the cases.
8 to >6.0 pts
Proficient
The rule has been broken
into parts. The breakdown
of the parts of the outline
are mostly consistent with
the breakdown of the rule
in the cases.
6 to >0.0 pts
Developing
The rule has been broken
into some parts. The
breakdown of the parts of
the outline are not
consistent with the
breakdown of the rule in
the cases.
0 pts
Not
Present
10 pts
Cases 25 to >22.0 pts
Advanced
All of the assigned cases
are associated with at least
one portion of the rule. The
most relevant cases are
associated with the correct
portion of the rule.
22 to >17.0 pts
Proficient
Most of the assigned
cases are associated with
at least one portion of the
rule. Cases are associated
with the portions of the
rule.
17 to >0.0 pts
Developing
Some of the assigned
cases are associated with
at least one portion of the
rule. Cases are not
associated with the correct
portion of the rule.
0 pts
Not
Present
25 pts
Grammar
and
Spelling
5 to >4.0 pts
Advanced
Spelling and grammar are
correct.
4 to >3.0 pts
Proficient
Spelling and grammar has
some errors.
3 to >0.0 pts
Developing
Spelling and grammar
errors distract.
0 pts
Not
Present
5 pts
Bluebook
Citations 10 to >8.0 pts
Advanced
All citations are in current
Bluebook format.
8 to >6.0 pts
Proficient
Most citations are in
current Bluebook format.
6 to >0.0 pts
Developing
Some citations are in
current Bluebook format.
0 pts
Not
Present
10 pts
Total Points: 50
Objective Memo: Outline Grading Rubric | PLST202_C01_202220
The Law Offices of Patrick, Swayze, and Zimmerman
This document may contain information that is privileged or confidential. If you are not the
intended recipient, please delete the information and notify us immediately.
To: Legal Assistant
From: Supervising Attorney
RE: Welcome and First Assignment
Welcome to the law firm of Patrick, Swayze, and Zimmerman. We are excited that you are a new
member of the team.
During your time here at the firm, you will be supervised by one of the partners (your professor
in this class). Please understand that even though you have received some legal training, it is
imperative that nothing leaves this office without first being reviewed by your supervising
attorney. Any work that is going to be given to a client, court, or opposing attorney must be
approved and signed by your supervising attorney. Remember, all correspondence with anyone
outside of this office must come from your supervising attorney.
Your first assignment is on the next page.
The Law Offices of Patrick, Swayze, and Zimmerman
This document may contain information that is privileged or confidential. If you are not the
intended recipient, please delete the information and notify us immediately.
A new client recently called and informed me that she accidentally left a valuable item at a
resort. When she returned to retrieve the item, it was missing. Unfortunately, these are all the
details we have at this point. I have performed some basic research and located four cases that
deal with the issue of a bailment – what was likely created when the resort indicated that they
would keep the item for the client.
It is likely that a gratuitous bailment was created based on the information we know at this point.
A gratuitous bailment is created when an individual “…comes into possession of chattel and
exercises physical control over it.” Morris v. Hamilton, 302 S.E. 2d 51 (Va. 1983). Therefore,
there are two elements that the client would have to demonstrate: (1) possession of chattel and
(2) exercise of physical control over the chattel. This should help you create the outline. Make
sure to focus on each of these two elements.
Your first assignment is to read the four cases attached to this document, draft a basic outline for
the Analysis/Discussion section and one rule explanation paragraph. Remember, this rule
explanation paragraph will only discuss one of the two elements/issues and only contain
information from one case (not from multiple cases).
You may want to consider creating a case brief for each case as a way to remember what each
case discusses. However, these are not required and should not be submitted. In addition, make
sure to review the instructions for how to create an outline and a rule explanation paragraph.
The four cases that you will read are:
Morris v. Hamilton, 302 S.E. 2d 51 (Va. 1983).
K-B Corp. v. Gallagher, 237 S.E. 2d 183 (Va. 1977).
Handelsgesellschaft v. Sheridan Transp. Co., 800 F.Supp. 1359 (E.D. VA 1992).
Zurich American Ins. Co. v. Public Storage, 743 F.Supp. 2d 525 (E.D. VA 2010).
When reviewing the cases, make sure to just focus on the issue of creation of a bailment, not
liability.
1
Outline
Student’s Name
University
Course
Professor
Date submitted
2
Outline
Four cases would be involved in the court section. The court has divided the cases into
three primary phases depending on the extent of charges; touching of another, harmful, and
intentional. The case about the twenty gun and drug traffickers was considered intentional. At the
same time, the Oklahoma man’s case was addressed as harmful and intentional. On the other hand,
Tristyn Bailey's murder case was addressed as touching of another person and harmful. Lastly, the
Pryor man's charges were considered touching of another person.
(1) Intentional
i. The federal grand jury charges twenty Western District of Pennsylvania residents in
Pittsburgh for allegedly violating the firearms and narcotics laws through the gun and
drug trafficking (Justice, 2021).
ii. An Oklahoma man faces murder charges in India in connection with homicide
(Strader, 2021 ).
(2) Harmful
iii. A 13-year-old Florida teenager and Cheerleader Tristyn Bailey’s body was found in
the woods need their home after allegedly being stabbed 114 times by the killer as she
fought off (Wong, 2021).
iv. An Oklahoma man faces murder charges in India in connection with a homicide.
(3) Touching of Another
v. The federal jury allegedly convicted a Pryor man for repeatedly abusing his two
daughters sexually (Press, 2022).
vi. A 13-year-old Florida teenager and Cheerleader Tristyn Bailey's body was found in woods
near their home after allegedly being stabbed 114 times by the killer as she fought off.
3
References
Justice, D. o. (2021, November 22). Pittsburgh Felon, 21, Charged with Violating Federal Drug
and Gun Laws. United States Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/usao-
wdpa/pr/pittsburgh-felon-21-charged-violating-federal-drug-and-gun-laws
Press. (2022, March 10). Federal Jury Convicts Pryor Man of Sexually Abusing Two of his
Children. United States Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/usao-
ndok/pr/federal-jury-convicts-pryor-man-sexually-abusing-two-his-children
Strader, S. (2021, July 26). 3 Lamar murder suspects now indicted in Oklahoma homicide case.
KOAMNEWSNOW.COM: https://www.koamnewsnow.com/3-lamar-murder-suspects-
now-indicted-in-oklahoma-homicide-case/
Wong, W. (2021, July 16). Teen accused of stabbing girl 114 times allegedly asked how her
death was his 'problem.' NBCNews: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/teen-
accused-stabbing-girl-114-times-allegedly-asked-how-her-n1274162
