Free tool · Legal Research and Writing
How to Write a Persuasive Point Heading: A Point Heading Checker
A persuasive point heading is a full sentence that states your conclusion on the point and the main reason for it, using the facts of your case. ‘Negligence’ is a label; ‘The shop breached its duty of care by leaving the spill for forty minutes with no warning’ is an argument. A judge who read only your headings should be able to follow your case. Keep each heading short enough to take in at a glance (roughly one or two lines), avoid words of emphasis such as ‘clearly’ and let the reason carry the force. Then make sure the section under the heading proves what it says.
Tool · Point Heading Checker
A strong point heading.
A full sentence: It reads as a full sentence with a verb.
Gives a reason: It links the conclusion to a reason.
Uses the client’s facts: It refers to the parties or the facts of this case.
Length: A good length.
Tone: The tone is measured.
Starts with the point: A heading should state the point, not just a number or a word such as ‘Argument’.
Next step: This heading states a conclusion and a reason. Check that it is accurate and that the section proves it.
Type a point heading for a brief, using invented facts. A good point heading is a full sentence that states your conclusion and the main reason, uses the facts of the case and is short enough to take in at a glance, so that a judge who read only the headings could follow the argument. The checker looks at form, not at whether the argument is right. Try a topic label such as ‘Negligence’ and see what changes. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored or sent.
How to use it
- Type your point heading.
- Check that it is a full sentence with a verb, a reason and the case’s facts.
- Fix what is flagged.
- Read all your headings in order: do they tell the story of the argument?
Common questions
Should a heading include the legal rule?
It can, when it helps, but it should always include your conclusion and the reason why the rule leads to it on these facts.
How long should a point heading be?
Usually one or two lines. If it runs to a paragraph, break it into a main heading and sub-headings.
Does the checker test the argument?
No. It checks the form. The argument is for you and your authorities.
Learn the law behind the tool
This tool is part of our Legal Research and Writing course, with lectures, concept maps, flashcards, interactive exercises and a capstone case. Legal Research and Writing: Persuasive Writing.
More free law tools
General information, simplified, mainly on American law, not legal advice. States and countries differ, and real cases turn on facts that a tool cannot capture.