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    Legal writing in plain English : a text with exercises / Bryan A. Garner.

    • Title:Legal writing in plain English : a text with exercises / Bryan A. Garner.
    •    
    • Author/Creator:Garner, Bryan A., author.
    • Published/Created:Chicago ; London : The University of Chicago Press, 2013.
      ©2013
    • Holdings

       
    • Library of Congress Subjects:Legal composition.
    • Edition:Second edition.
    • Description:xv, 268 pages : forms ; 24 cm
    • Series:Chicago guides to writing, editing, and publishing.
    • Summary:In this new edition, Garner preserves the successful structure of the original while adjusting the content to make it even more classroom-friendly. He includes case examples from the past decade and addresses the widespread use of legal documents in electronic formats. His book remains the standard guide for producing the jargon-free language that clients demand and courts reward."--Pub. desc.
    • Notes:Includes bibliographical references (pages 259-262) and index.
    • ISBN:9780226283937 (pbk. ; alk. paper)
      0226283933 (pbk. ; alk. paper)
      9780226031392 (e-book)
    • Contents:Machine generated contents note: 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. Shun newfangled acronyms.
      20. Make everything you write speakable.
      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.
      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.
      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.
      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.
      1. Research Memorandum
      2. Motion
      3. Appellate Brief
      4. Contract.
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