Guide to Study Aids
Study aids generally focus on a particular area of law that corresponds to the subject of a law school course. They can be used both in preparing for class and in studying for exams. The Jacob Burns Law Library collects some types of study aids that you may wish to check out rather than purchase; others types are less scholarly and may be purchased at a book store or online.
To find a study aid that the Law Library does collect, do a keyword search in our online catalog JACOB or ask a Reference Librarian. Stop by the Reference Desk, email, or call 202-994-6647. (Please note that the Library may have some casebooks in its collection, but doesn’t collect them as a general practice.)
Study Aids Available at Jacob Burns Law Library
(most recent edition usually on reserve) |
Hornbooks |
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The most common study aid at the Library is a hornbook, a one volume work. Written by law professors, a hornbook provides a basic discussion of the law and includes footnotes to important cases and statutes. Unlike casebooks, which use selected cases to illustrate the law, hornbooks synthesize and explain it. In effect, hornbooks state the “black letter” law of a particular subject. They are published in West's Hornbook Series with green covers. |
Foundation Press'
Concepts and Insights Series |
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These are a group of books in between commercial outlines and hornbooks. Like hornbooks, they are in full prose and written by law professors, but they are more concise and less likely to have footnotes. |
Lexis' Understanding Series |
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West's Concise Hornbook Series
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Aspen's Examples & Explanations Series
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West's Nutshell Series |
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Shorter and simpler analysis of a legal subject and can be a good starting point in an unfamiliar area. |
Study Aids NOT at Jacob Burns Law Libary
(at bookstores or online) |
West's Sum and Substance Quick Review |
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Short study guides that are more basic than West's Nutshell series. |
Foundation Press' Turning Point Series |
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West's Black Letter Outlines |
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Commercial outlines block out basic principles and issues hierarchically, often following the organization of specific casebooks. They provide a general overview of a topic and can serve as a roadmap for students preparing their own course outline. |
Gilbert's |
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Emanuel's |
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Emanuel's CrunchTime Series |
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Gilbert's Legalines |
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Case briefs are often tied to particular casebooks, with cases individually briefed to ease class preparation. |
Aspen's Casenote Legal Briefs |
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West's High Court Case Summaries |
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Aspen's Law in a Flash Series |
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Flash cards aid in memorization. |
Aspen's Siegel Series |
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Exam preparation* publications of sample questions and answers to practice for law school exams. |
Lexis' Q&A Series |
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West's Exam Pro Series |
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* Exams from GW courses from previous years are available through the law school’s portal.
Another resource to consider is CALI, produced by the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction, a non-profit consortium of law schools to which GW belongs. CALI offers online, interactive lessons available by subject, casebook, and course outline. Contact a Reference Librarian for the CALI registration code and then visit http://www2.cali.org/.
Get the CALI registration code from the Burns Law Library.