2011 Polished and Effecitive Writing Country Concert (No Commentary)
204 views · Published 20 March 2012 · 15:21 · Indexed 28 September 2026
Channel: Vanderbilt University · 2012 · Entertainment
A Country Music Concert at Vanderbilt Law School Lyricists: The students in a 2L and 3L seminar titled "Polished and Effective Writing for Lawyers," fall term, 2011. Performers: Nashville-based singer-songwriters Barb and Vince Santoro Assignment: Students were required, by way of homework, to write the lyrics to a country music song about life at Vanderbilt Law School in AABB rhyming format. The twist: Students had no idea that their lyrics were being put to music by the Santoro's, who surprised the class when they rolled in with drums and keyboard. Five pedagogical reasons behind the class: (1) A smart test of good writing--legal or otherwise--is to hear it aloud; (2) the best writing rolls easily off the tongue; (3) memorable phrases often define quality writing; (4) there is no room for lazy writing or extra words in a country song, or any form of top-flight writing; and (5) boring writing is commonplace and often ineffective. The teacher behind the plan: Vanderbilt Adjunct Professor of Law Willy Stern, a local journalist.
