Legal writing in plain English : a text with exercises /
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| Author / Creator: | Garner, Bryan A., author. |
|---|---|
| Edition: | Second edition. |
| Imprint: | Chicago ; London : University of Chicago Press, 2013. ©2013 |
| Description: | xv, 268 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm. |
| Language: | English |
| Series: | Chicago guides to writing, editing, and publishing Chicago guides to writing, editing, and publishing. |
| Subject: | |
| Format: | Print Book |
| URL for this record: | http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/9291315 |
| Related Items: | Other edition available:
Legal writing in plain English. |
Table of Contents:
- Preface
- Introduction
- Part 1. Principles for All Legal Writing
- 1. Framing Your Thoughts
- §1. Have something to say-and think it through
- §2. For maximal efficiency, plan your writing projects. Try nonlinear outlining
- §3. Order your material in a logical sequence. Present facts chronologically. Keep related material together
- §4. Divide the document into sections, and sections into subparts as needed. Use informative headings
- 2. Phrasing Your Sentences
- §5. Omit needless words
- §6. Keep your average sentence length to about 20 words
- §7. Keep the subject, the verb, and the object together toward the beginning of the sentence
- §8. Use parallel phrasing for parallel ideas
- §9. Prefer the active voice over the passive
- §10. Avoid multiple negatives
- §11. End sentences emphatically
- 3. Choosing Your Words
- §12. Learn to detest simplifiable jargon
- §13. Use strong, precise verbs. Minimize is, are, was, and were
- §14. Simplify wordy phrases. Watch out for of
- §15. Turn -ion words into verbs when you can
- §16. Avoid doublets and triplets
- §17. Refer to people and companies by name. Never use corresponding terms ending in -ee and -or
- §18. Don't habitually use parenthetical shorthand names. Use them only when you really need them
- §19. Shim newfangled acronyms
- §20. Make everything you write speakable
- Part 2. Principles Mainly for Analytical and Persuasive Writing
- §21. Plan all three parts: the beginning, the middle, and the end
- §22. Use the "deep issue" to spill the beans on the first page
- §23. Summarize. Don't overparticularize
- §24. Introduce each paragraph with a topic sentence
- §25. Bridge between paragraphs
- §26. Vary the length of your paragraphs, but generally keep them short
- §27. Provide signposts along the way
- §28. Unclutter the text by moving citations into footnotes
- §29. Weave quotations deftly into your narrative
- §30. Be forthright in dealing with counterarguments
- Part 3. Principles Mainly for Legal Drafting
- §31. Draft for an ordinary reader, not for a mythical judge who might someday review the document
- §32. Organize provisions in order of descending importance
- §33. Minimize definitions and cross-references. If you have more than just a few definitions, put them in a schedule at the end-not at the beginning
- §34. Break down enumerations into parallel provisions. Put every list of subparts at the end of the sentence-never at the beginning or in the middle
- §35. Delete every shall
- §36. Don't use provisos
- §37. Replace and/or wherever it appears
- §38. Prefer the singular over the plural
- §39. Prefer numerals, not words, to denote amounts. Avoid word-numeral doublets
- §40. If you don't understand a form provision-or don't understand why it should be included in your document-try diligently to gain that understanding. If you still can't understand it, cut it
- Part 4. Principles of Document Design
- §41. Use a readable typeface
- §42. Create ample white space-and use it meaningfully
- §43. Highlight ideas with attention-getters such as bullets
- §44. Don't use all capitals, and avoid initial capitals
- §45. For a long document, make a table of contents
- Part 5. Methods for Continued Improvement
- §46. Embrace constructive criticism
- §47. Edit yourself systematically
- §48. Learn how to find reliable answers to questions of grammar and usage
- §49. Habitually gauge your own readerly likes and dislikes, as well as those of other readers
- §50. Remember that good writing makes the reader's job easy; bad writing makes it hard
- Appendix A. How to Punctuate
- Appendix B. Four Model Documents
- 1. Research Memorandum
- 2. Motion
- 3. Appellate Brief
- 4. Contract
- Key to Basic Exercises
- Bibliography
- Index