How to Write Confidently using High Modality Language for the Law Admission Test

Aftab Bismi
5 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

When most students sit down to write, they often do so from a place of hesitation. Whether it's trying to avoid losing marks, sidestepping potential mistakes, or simply being unsure about what they want to say the result is often low modality writing.

In the context of the Law Admission Test (LAT) for UNSW Law School, this kind of writing can hold you back.

Let’s break down what modality is, and why mastering high modality writing can make all the difference in securing your place in one of Australia’s most competitive law degrees.

What is Modality in Writing for the Law Admission Test?

Modality refers to how certain, confident, or forceful your language is. It shows how committed you are to the argument or perspective you're presenting.

Low modality: words like might, could, possibly, I think, some people believe. These signal uncertainty.

High modality: words like must, will, undeniably, clearly, is essential. These signal conviction and authority.

For example:

“Governments should maybe look at climate policy.” (low modality)“Governments must reform climate policy to protect future generations.” (high modality)

See the difference? One sounds hesitant. The other sounds like a future lawyer wrote it.

Why High Modality Matters in the Law Admission Test?

In Question 1 of the ACER Law Admission Test, you're asked to write an analytical essay you're not just discussing ideas; you're persuading the marker that your interpretation is strong, insightful, and well-supported. If you're unsure of yourself, the marker will be too.

In Question 2 of the UNSW LAT, you must build a persuasive argument using a mix of written and visual sources. Again, hesitation or weak language won't cut it. You’re expected to take a firm stance and defend it convincingly.

That’s where high modality comes in it makes your writing sound more confident, more logical, and more persuasive.

Confidence Equals Credibility in the LAT

Law is a profession built on advocacy. As a future lawyer, you’ll be expected to convince judges, juries, and even opposing counsel to take your client’s interests seriously.

That might mean:

Convincing a judge that your client deserves leniency
Persuading an insurance company to pay out a claim
Negotiating a better settlement in a dispute

If your writing shows doubt or lacks confidence, it sends the message that even you aren’t convinced by your own argument. ACER LAT markers are looking for future lawyers not students who seem unsure of what they believe.

How LAT Markers Perceive High Modality

Markers aren’t just checking grammar and structure. They’re asking:

Is this student persuasive?
Would this argument hold up in court or in legal writing?
Does this person sound like someone who could succeed in UNSW Law School?

High modality helps tick all those boxes. It shows that you take your position seriously and that others should too.

How to Practise High Modality Writing for the Law Admission Test

Here are a few tips to get you started:

Ditch uncertain words like maybe, perhaps, might
Use stronger verbs like demands, proves, ensures
Write in active voice (e.g. “The author argues…” not “It is argued…”)
Start strong: Don’t open with “I think…” start with what you know

Try this:“While some people believe social media is harmless, the evidence clearly shows its detrimental impact on mental health.”

Final Thought: Writing Like a Lawyer Starts Now

Writing with high modality isn’t about arrogance it’s about clarity and persuasion. If you want to stand out in the UNSW Law Admission Test, write like someone who believes what they say. Be firm. Be bold. Be convincing.

This small shift in writing style could be your edge and your ticket into UNSW Law School.

Need help mastering persuasive writing for the ACER LAT?

Join the LAT Academy Masterclass and learn the techniques top-scoring students use to write with confidence and clarity.