IRAC - Definition and Overview

IRAC (pronounced EYE-rack) is an acronym that generally stands for: Issue, Rule, Analysis, and Conclusion. It functions as a methodology for legal analysis used in hypothetical questions on law school exams.

Proponents say it reduces legal reasoning to the application of a formula. Critics of IRAC stated that it tends to lead to overwriting, and oversimplifies the complexity of proper legal analysis.

Variations

• MIRAT (Material Facts, Issues, Rules, Application, Tentative Conclusion).
• IDAR (Issues, Doctrine, Application, Result).

External links

• http://www.lawnerds.com/guide/irac.html
• IRAC is not always an effective method of writing law school exams for many students. It tends to lead to overwriting. You may prefer to use the Under, Here, Therefore approach demonstrated on the following web site, http://www.barwrite.com/Real-Property.asp. The book Scoring High on Bar Exam Essays by Dr. Mary Campbell Gallagher teaches this method. http://www.barwrite.com/book_bar_exam_essays.asp

Also see http://www.law.whittier.edu/academic_programs/asp/exam.asp.

• Also please see http://www.leews.com/. These two sites will give you effective advice on writing a law school exam.
• Additionally, the book, Planet Law School has good tips on writing law school exams.
• Problems with IRAC (http://blog.qiken.org/archives/000718.html)