What is the best format for a legal opinion?

Question

I am a law student and i have an assignment to write a legal opinion. The professor said we can use the IRAC format (Issue Rule Application Conclusion)...but i am not very comfortable with it...i don't know where to start with it...any suggestions?? thanks

Answer 1

Maybe I can walk you through it.
Issue: A short statement describing what the case is about---"This case involves a claim of breach of warranty for purchase of inoperable factory equipment. Plaintiff bought 4 boilers from defendant. The boilers were inoperable. Plaintiffs claims the boilers were defective. Defendant claims plaintiff installed the boilers incorrectly and voided the warranty."
Rule; "The Uniform Commercial Code requires a product be fit for the particular purpose for which it was designed and sold."
Application: (This part should be longest) Start with a short paragraph about the facts. Then state how the law applies to the set of facts.
Conclusion: 2 or 3 sentences. The District court ruled in favor of plaintiffs. The Ct of Appeals reversed, holding" that the manufacturer had a absolute duty to provide a workable boiler and could not waive the warranty"

Hope this helps.