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As a candidate preparing for the Law Admission Test (LAT), enhancing your persuasive writing skills is crucial. One valuable method to accomplish this is by regularly reading opinion editorials. Such readings not only refine your arguments but also expose you to a variety of perspectives and viewpoints. Let's dive deeper into understanding why opinion editorials matter so much for your LAT success.
Why read opinion editorials?
Opinion editorials (op-eds) are a goldmine for a LAT candidate. By immersing yourself in these texts, you can better distinguish between genuinely persuasive arguments and baseless opinions. Plus, you gain exposure to various viewpoints and contentious perspectives that can stimulate your critical thinking – a vital asset when preparing for tests like LAT or even when you're enrolled in UNSW law subjects.
Distinguishing persuasive arguments from baseless opinions
In the age of information overload, discerning truth from mere opinions is increasingly challenging. Solid arguments, rooted in facts and logical reasoning, are essential for informed decision-making. As you might discover in our blog post on Enhancing Your Reasoning Skills for the LAT, mastering this discernment plays a pivotal role in LAT success.
Convincing arguments are reliable and trustworthy. They are supported by undeniable facts, statistics, and critical analysis, while unsupported opinions often rely on preconceived notions or unproven assertions. Understanding the difference is essential for creating well-structured answers for your UNSW Law Admission Test. We go into extensive detail how to structure your answers and sharpen your persuasive reasoning skills in our Premium Masterclass.
Broadening your perspective
Op-eds expose you to the authors' views and, by reading multiple pieces, you'll find yourself exploring various perspectives. This expanded viewpoint encourages out-of-the-box thinking, a crucial skill for acing the LAT. As we detail in our 5-Step Guide to Excelling in the UNSW LAT Test, conventional thinking won't help you stand out. In the LAT and legal profession, you need to advise your client with valid arguments, regardless of your personal opinions.
Sources of quality opinion editorials
Finding quality op-eds can be as important as reading them. Here are five respected publications you can refer to:
The Sydney Morning Herald: One of Australia's leading newspapers, offering diverse opinion pieces on national politics, social issues, and current affairs.
The Conversation: An independent source of news and views, sourced from the academic and research community and delivered directly to the public. Offers Australian and international perspectives on a wide range of topics.
The Australian: Known for its insightful opinion pieces covering politics, business, and culture from a national and international perspective.
ABC's The Drum: A platform for Australian experts to provide insightful analysis, sharp commentary and robust talk on current topics.
The Guardian Australia: The Australian edition of The Guardian covers national issues like politics, social justice, and environment from a progressive viewpoint.
Conclusion
Reading op-eds like The Sydney Morning Herald or The Australian is a strategic move in your LAT preparation. It will enrich your understanding of different perspectives and expose you to a range of persuasive argument styles and content. By doing so, you're enhancing your ability to deconstruct texts, differentiate facts from opinions, and create fact-driven, logical essays. All of these skills, which we delve deeper into in our Student Guide to the UNSW LAT, can significantly improve your LAT score.
Take this knowledge to heart and bring your LAT preparation to the next level. Happy reading!
Written by: Aftab Bismi
Aftab Bismi, a seasoned legal professional and an alumnus of UNSW Law School, is no stranger to the intricacies of the legal world. He has kick-started his legal journey at esteemed firms like Maddocks, Pocketlegal, and RACS, which gave him a profound understanding of the law. This journey extended to London, where he explored the world of enterprise technology.
However, his love for Sydney brought him back home, adding top-tier organisations like NewsCorp, mycar, and icare to his impressive portfolio. What drives Aftab is a deep-rooted passion for enhancing students' writing and reasoning skills, empowering them to navigate their legal journeys more effectively. With his expert insights, Aftab aims to prepare aspiring law students for challenges like the UNSW Law Admission Test and beyond.