> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://jennyrice.gitbook.io/wrd-418-legal-writing/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://jennyrice.gitbook.io/wrd-418-legal-writing/chapter-6-writing-objective-legal-analyses/starting-the-process.md).

# Starting the Process

### **Step 1: Read Facts & Law**

* Highlight key facts, parties, dates, and the statute or rule you’ll apply.
* Break the legal rule into its elements. 

***

### **Step 2: Identify the Legal Question**

* Ask: *“What exactly is the court being asked to decide?”*
* This question will guide which cases are relevant and how the facts map onto precedent.

***

### **Step 3: Use the Precedent Cases to Create Rule Synthesis** 

| Case Name | Holding/Rule | Type of Condition |
| --------- | ------------ | ----------------- |
|           |              |                   |
|           |              |                   |
|           |              |                   |

***

### **Step 4: Create a Case Comparison Across All Precedents and Your Case**

<table data-header-hidden data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th></th><th></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Case name</td><td><p>Issue/</p><p>questions</p></td><td>Rule</td><td>Facts</td><td>Answer+ Reasoning</td></tr><tr><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td></tr><tr><td><br><br><br><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td></tr><tr><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td></tr><tr><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td></tr></tbody></table>