A commercial outline is a prepackaged, detailed structure of the "black letter law" or law of what you need to know for a particular course. You may be able to compare it to a summary of the course or notes of a student who has already taken the class except it has been organized and edited by those in the law educational field.

Some say that a commercial outline gives the student a false sense of security since a student may not spend the time in preparing their own outline. Others who use outlines swear by them and could not have gotten through law school without them.

There is a general consensus that a commercial outline is an essential tool that should not be abused. The top students in the class did not get there just by doing the required reading. Commercial outlines are a supplement and that's how they should be used. They give a great map of your course that may be revisited at different points of the semester. Most schools of thought advise every student to write their own outline, but that does not say that you can not get some help. Commercial outlines is something to read before your reading so that you get an idea before your learn the subject.

There are two major types of commercial outline: Emanuel and Gilbert. Though both are very similar, the differences are noticeable enough for students to have preferences. At the end of the day, they both accomplish the same result.

First Year Law Student Package (Emanuel):
Emanuel Law Outlines: First Year Set

First Year Program Box Set (Gilbert):
Gilbert Law Summaries: First Year Program