📘 LSAT Writing Sample: Complete Guide with 30 Prompts & Model Responses
🔹 Introduction
The LSAT Writing Sample is a crucial but often misunderstood part of the LSAT exam. While it is not scored, law schools carefully review your essay to evaluate your clarity of thought, reasoning skills, and writing ability. This section requires you to choose between two courses of action and justify your choice with logical arguments.
On this page, you’ll find everything you need:
- 📑 30 real-style LSAT Writing Prompts
- ✍️ Model Responses for each scenario
- 🎯 Expert guidance on how to structure your essay
- 💡 Insider tips to make your essay stand out
🔹 What Is the LSAT Writing Sample?
- It is a 35-minute essay completed online via LSAC’s secure platform.
- You receive a decision prompt (two options, both defensible).
- Your task: pick one and defend it with reasoning and evidence.
- Law schools receive a copy of your essay as part of your LSAT report.
🔹 How to Write a Strong LSAT Essay
✅ Step 1: Understand the Prompt – Identify the two choices clearly.
✅ Step 2: Choose a Side – Do not try to sit on the fence. Pick one option.
✅ Step 3: Plan Quickly – Spend 5 minutes outlining reasons & counterpoints.
✅ Step 4: Write Clearly – Use simple, concise sentences.
✅ Step 5: Address Weaknesses – Acknowledge but refute counterarguments.
✅ Step 6: Conclude Strongly – Summarize why your choice is stronger.
🔹 LSAT Writing Sample Prompts & Model Responses
We’ve organized our 30 prompts into three sets for easy navigation.
✅ Set 1 (Prompts 1–10): Law, Policy & Justice
- 📍 Example Prompt: Should a city allocate funds to a new police training program or invest in community-based prevention initiatives?
✅ Set 2 (Prompts 11–20): Business, Technology & Society
- 📍 Example Prompt: Should a company expand into an emerging market with high growth but political risk, or consolidate in a stable market with slower returns?
✅ Set 3 (Prompts 21–30): Education, Ethics & Lifestyle
- 📍 Example Prompt: Should a university prioritize funding for athletics programs or research labs?
🔹 Tips from Admissions Experts
📌 Write Like a Lawyer – Make structured arguments (Issue → Reason → Example → Counterpoint → Conclusion).
📌 Be Concise – Avoid long-winded storytelling.
📌 Stay Neutral in Tone – Both options are valid, but your side must sound more persuasive.
📌 Practice Under Time – 35 minutes goes by quickly.
🔹 Final Thoughts
The LSAT Writing Sample may not carry a numeric score, but it is your first writing impression on law schools. A well-structured, clear, and persuasive essay can strengthen your application and show your readiness for legal reasoning.
This master guide combines 30 realistic prompts, model essays, and expert strategy tips to ensure you are fully prepared.
👉 Start practicing today — and by test day, your LSAT Writing Sample will stand out for the right reasons.
For complete LSAT prep, explore our dedicated sections on Logical Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning (Logic Games), and Reading Comprehension.