I really like the checksheet for on the record (OTR) requests. It gives the judge all the information needed to evaluate an OTR request.

Here is a completed checksheet from an actual case (with identifying information changed, of course). Page 1 has all the relevant dates. Page 2 has the theory of the case, distilled to its essence.

Completing the checksheet is an extra step, but it shows the judge that you have thought through the OTR request carefully. I think it helps. I have used it three times now, and each time the OTR was granted, including the sample case above.