Eager Cat vs. Patient Cat: Finding Your Purr-fect Balance in Essay Writing

Answering essay questions under time pressure is one of the biggest challenges in law school and on the bar exam. A strong answer isn't just about knowing the law—it’s about organizing thoughts, spotting issues, and clearly articulating a well-reasoned answer in just a short period of time (like 30 minutes for most bar exam essays).

Watching my two cats, Dill and Poppyseed, during their breakfast routine sparked an idea. Dill, the patient brother, waits calmly as the food is dispensed from the automatic feeder, taking his time before starting to chow down. On the other hand, Poppy, Dill's eager biological sister, dives in immediately, grabbing bites as soon as the food hits the bowl—sometimes even getting hit in the face while eating.

This contrast in styles made me think of different approaches to bar exam essay writing. Both strategies have their benefits, and with a bit of balance, each can lead to success.

Let’s explore how Dill’s patience and Poppy’s eagerness can offer insights into crafting strong bar exam essays.

Poppy, the "Eager Cat": Dive Right In!

Poppy—the “Eager Cat”—starts eating the moment the food bowl begins to dispense, focused on filling up fast and not missing a morsel. Similarly, some students start writing their essays immediately, wanting to get as many thoughts on the page (or laptop screen) as possible. This approach, while efficient in starting strong, has its pros and cons in the context of bar exam essay writing.

Benefits of the Eager Cat Approach

👍 Momentum: Starting quickly gives you a sense of progress. The act of writing can build confidence and prevent overthinking.

👍 Quick identification: You’re capturing initial ideas and may cover foundational points efficiently without getting bogged down in planning.

👍 Reduced stress: Some students feel less anxious if they’re actively writing rather than spending time organizing.

Potential Pitfalls

⚠️ Disorganization: Without an outline, Eager Cats may find their answers disjointed or miss important issues.

⚠️ Risk of missing key points: Diving in without a roadmap can lead to omitting essential arguments or analysis.

⚠️ Timing issues: The lack of structure might lead to spending too long on one part of the question, leaving little time to fully address other issues.

If you resonate with the Eager Cat approach, consider pausing briefly before diving in. Even a simple roadmap can go a long way. For example, try writing down the key issues or steps in the IRAC (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion) format before you start. This way, you’re maintaining your momentum but with a bit more guidance to keep you on track.

The Patient Cat: Plan, Outline, and Execute

Dill—my “Patient Cat”—waits for the food to be fully dispensed before digging in, carefully observing what’s available. This approach is comparable to students who spend time dissecting the essay question and planning their response before they start writing. The Patient Cat approach can lead to a well-organized answer but also comes with its own set of challenges.

Benefits of the Patient Cat Approach

👍 Clarity and structure: An organized outline provides a clear roadmap, ensuring you hit each major point methodically.

👍 Thorough issue spotting: Planning allows for a moment to reflect and ensure all issues are identified and prioritized.

👍 Time management: A well-structured outline helps keep each section proportional, so you don’t get stuck on one part of the essay.

Potential Pitfalls

⚠️ Over-planning: Spending too long on the outline might cut into valuable writing time, leading to rushed answers or incomplete essays.

⚠️ Analysis paralysis: Some Patient Cats find themselves so focused on planning that they struggle to switch into writing mode.

⚠️ Loss of momentum: Starting slowly might increase anxiety about finishing, especially under strict time limits.

If you lean toward the Patient Cat approach, aim to set a strict time limit on planning—about 5-6 minutes. Use this time to jot down a quick IRAC outline or list of issues. You don’t need a detailed blueprint; even a skeleton outline will help you stay focused while leaving you ample time to write.

Blending the Best of Both Worlds: A Balanced Approach

As with most things , the best approach might lie somewhere between the Eager Cat and Patient Cat. Finding a balance that works for you means practicing timed essays to see what style helps you perform best.

Here’s a hybrid approach to consider when completing 30-minute essays:

✅ Review the question (2-3 minutes): Read through the question carefully to understand the scenario and identify the major issues.

✅ Outline key points (2-3 minutes): Use a few quick bullet points to structure your thoughts. This outline doesn’t need to be exhaustive; it’s just a guide.

✅ Write with confidence and structure: Start writing, keeping your outline handy as a guide. If you’re running short on time, a quick glance at your outline will help you prioritize remaining points.

This balanced approach ensures that you start with a solid framework but maintain the momentum needed to keep pace with the clock. Of course, the way to hone your essay-writing approach is to practice. Under timed conditions, try out both the Eager Cat and Patient Cat styles to see which helps you perform best.

Most importantly, learn to adapt. Some essay questions may benefit from diving right in, while others might require a more measured, patient approach. Flexibility will help you tackle any essay prompt with confidence.

Whether you’re more like Poppy, more like Dill, or a blend of both my cats, the key is to use your time well and stay focused on the goal: crafting a clear, organized, and complete response.