Your First Analysis: Asking a Research Question

Run your first analysis with Vincent. This beginner's guide shows you how to ask a research question and get your first AI legal memo generator result in minutes.

Summary

Run your first analysis with Vincent. This beginner's guide shows you how to Ask a research question the most common workflow and get your first result from our AI legal memo generator in just a few simple steps.

Why This is Important

The best way to understand the power of Vincent is to see it in action. Asking a Research Question is one of Vincent's most powerful workflows, and it's the perfect place to start. This guide will walk you through the simple process of turning a question into a comprehensive, fully-cited legal memo.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Start the Workflow

From the main Vincent landing page, select Ask a Research Question from the list of workflows.

Select the Ask a Research Question workflow in Vincent.

Step 2: Ask Your Question and Select a Jurisdiction

In the input screen, you will need to provide two key pieces of information:

  1. Your Legal Question: Type your question directly into the box at the top of the page.

  2. Your Jurisdiction: Use the jurisdiction selector below the question box to choose the specific jurisdiction(s) for your research.

Enter your question and select the relevant jurisdiction.

When you are ready, press the blue arrow to start your query.

Step 3: Review Your Results

The answer may take a minute or two to generate. Once complete, your answer will be displayed on the left, with a full list of the authorities Vincent cited on the right. The generated memo is structured into three key parts:

  • Short Response: A concise, one-paragraph answer to your question is placed right at the top.

  • Detailed Analysis: Vincent then "shows its work" by providing a detailed breakdown of the sources it used.

  • Exceptions and Limitations: Crucially, Vincent includes a section detailing any counterarguments or limitations.

Review the generated memo and the supporting authorities.

How Vincent Thinks: More Than Just a Keyword Search

When you ask a question, Vincent mimics an expert legal researcher. It understands the legal concepts behind your words and verifies the full citation history of a case to ensure the precedent is still good law, giving you a comprehensive and reliable result.

Best Practices & Pro Tips

  • Be Specific: The more specific your question, the more targeted your results will be. Include key facts and legal terms.

  • Trust but Verify: Use the list of authorities on the right to click through and review the source documents for yourself.

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