It gives you an organized approach to analyzing reported cases, and it forces you to distill the facts and reasoning down to manageable size. These are abilities upon which practicing lawyers rely for their livelihood, and which you must therefore develop and polish in law school. Here are some techniques and suggestions that will help you in briefing cases. Here is a format that is useful for this purpose. Briefly state the essential facts leading to the con controversy.
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As further illustration, a judicial opinion and case brief of that opinion are included in the Appendix to this booklet. Notwithstanding all the effort that goes into a case brief, it is not something to be retained for posterity. Its sole purpose is to help you recall the case in sufficient detail to discuss it in class and to integrate it into your class notes. Once class is over and your notes are in shape, it's unlikely that you will be reviewing your case briefs. Keep this in mind as you do your briefing.