Short cases or long cases?

I sometimes get involved in arguments over the merits of long cases versus short.  Some claim only long cases are capable of rendering the complexity of decision-making into the classroom.  Well, look at how complex and rich the best poetry is.  If a good working definition of poetry is 'the best words in the best order', then the same might apply to a case, regardless of length.

Participants at Start Writing Cases, 3-4 April 2012 at VU University Amsterdam are sure to ask the question 'how long is long enough?'  I wonder if the answer could be 50 words or less?  If anyone cares to accept the challenge of writing a case in 50 words or less, send it to me and we'll see where we get.  I'll have a go myself and post it in my next blog.

And if you're interested in finding out more about 'Start Writing Cases', a practical and intensive workshop giving 12 inexperienced case writers the opportunity to take time out to work on an idea for a case, then visit  www.ecch.com/startwritingcases2012  for more.