Breaking Professional Boundaries: What the MacCrate Report on Lawyering Skills and Values Means for TPC Programs

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jul 2008

Breaking Professional Boundaries: What the MacCrate Report on Lawyering Skills and Values Means for TPC Programs

Jeff Todd

Abstract

In 1992, the American Bar Association released the MacCrate Report, which listed the ten skills and four professional values that all attorneys need and critiqued law schools and state bars for not doing enough to teach and encourage the development of these skills and values. In response, law schools have significantly increased the skills-based components in their curricula, and most state bar exams now include a performance test. Technical and Professional Communication (TPC) programs already provide substantial instruction in all of the skills and values described in the MacCrate Report; further, an education in TPC prepares graduates to excel in law school and on the bar exam. This knowledge offers opportunities for growth if educators, administrators, and scholars take steps to encourage students to consider not only writing for but also joining in the legal profession.

Journal: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published: 2008-07-01
DOI: 10.2190/tw.38.3.d
Open Access: Closed
Topics: professional writing

Citation Context

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Cites in this index (16)

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Todd (2003)

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Plain English in Corporate Disclosures: Review and Implications for Consumers, …

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Also cites 3 works outside this index ↓

10.1177/0021943603259582

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10.1525/9780520352018

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10.2190/SGC

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