Which writing sample can you discuss?
A fictional U.S. summer associate invitation asks for a writing sample.
The question
The invitation asks for 5 to 8 pages and a short description of your contribution. You can describe your research and writing without sharing any actual work here.
| Pages | |
|---|---|
| Former-employer memo | 7 |
| Course memo | 6 |
Both lengths fit the invitation.
- Former-employer memoAn approval note is on file. The allowed use needs checking.
- Course memoThe candidate wrote the text. The instructor gave margin feedback. The course permits sharing this fictional sample.
“What would you use and how would you describe your work?”
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A strong answer, step by step
Open each step in turn. This is one strong answer, not the only one.
Step 1: Read the request
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Check length, permission and contribution
The strong move. The invitation needs a sample the candidate can discuss accurately.
Pick the longer memo automatically
Tempting, but it misses something. Both lengths fit, so permission and authorship still matter.
Send both memos so the recruiter can choose
Tempting, but it misses something. The employer memo still has an unresolved permission question.
See how a strong candidate says it
“Both samples meet the page range. I’ll check which one I can share and which best shows the work I did.”
Why it works: Length is only one condition in the fictional invitation.
Step 2: Check permission
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Confirm what the approval covers
The strong move. The scope of the note determines whether this use is allowed in the case.
Assume the approval covers every audience
Tempting, but it misses something. The permission record still needs to be checked.
Treat the instructor’s margin comments as coauthorship
Tempting, but it misses something. The case says the candidate wrote the text. The feedback can be described directly.
See how a strong candidate says it
“I’d read the employer note for the exact allowed use. The course memo is available if it meets the request.”
Why it works: The record can distinguish permission for one audience from permission for another.
Step 3: Change the sample
The full approval note limits the former-employer memo to classroom use only. It gives no permission for this application.
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Choose the course memo and describe the feedback
The strong move. The course sample fits the length and its use is permitted in the packet.
Send the employer memo with its name removed
Tempting, but it misses something. Changing a name does not change the approval scope in this exercise.
Say nobody reviewed the course memo
Tempting, but it misses something. The instructor gave margin feedback.
See how a strong candidate says it
“I’d use the 6-page course memo. The former employer’s note covers classroom use only. I’ll say I wrote the memo and received margin feedback from the instructor.”
Why it works: The course memo meets the fictional request and has a clear account of the candidate’s work.
Step 4: Explain your work
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Explain the research, draft and response to feedback
The strong move. This gives a truthful account of the candidate’s contribution.
Describe client details from the other memo
Tempting, but it misses something. That memo is outside the fictional permission for the application.
Claim the instructor approved the legal conclusion
Tempting, but it misses something. The case records margin feedback only.
See how a strong candidate says it
“I chose the issue, checked the research sources and wrote the course memo. My instructor gave margin feedback. I can explain which revisions I made after reading it.”
Why it works: The interviewer hears what the candidate did and where the feedback came from.
The answer, in short
- Decision
- Use the course memo and explain the margin feedback.
- Because
- The former employer approved classroom use only.
- What would change it
- A different invitation or an explicit permission covering the application could change the available options.
Common traps
- Check the allowed use.
- Name edits and feedback accurately.
Check your answer
- I checked the page range.
- I checked permission for this use.
- I chose an eligible sample.
- I explained my own work.
Last reviewed Nov 11, 2026