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Student Journals Guide

This guide is intended as a resource for editors of the student-led journals at the University of Georgia School of Law. It includes frequently asked questions about topic selection, cite checking, ILL, and more.

Note Topic Selection

1. Choose a broad topic that interests you. 

You will be spending a lot of time researching and writing on this topic.  Don't sabotage yourself by picking a topic you don't want to engage with fully!  

2. Start reading! 

Browse for your topic using the databases and websites below.  

3. Find your thesis.

Your scholarship should contain a new idea or stance that hasn't been discussed before. In order to find a new thesis, you will necessarily have to find what's already been said on the topic.  Move on to the "Preemption Checking" box below!   

Preemption Checking

Preemption Checking

As mentioned above, your Note should contain an original idea that no one else has written about before.  This means you'll have to know what has already been said on the topic. 

First, search within the "Secondary Sources" sections of Westlaw and Lexis:   

However your research should not stop there!!  These remaining resources have articles and journal titles that Westlaw and Lexis might not.  

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