Beyond the Basics : A Text for Advanced Legal Writing

by Ray, Mary Barnard

• ISBN13: 9780314242631
• ISBN10: 0314242635
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-07-01
• Publisher: West Group

Summary

A selected compilation of cases designed to illustrate advanced legal writing. Chapters cover statutes or rules, jury instructions, contracts, issues, objective statements of fact, and persuasive statements of fact. Other discussion sections include research memos, argument, pleadings, notices of motion, motions, and orders, interrogatories, general correspondence, opinion letters, wills and trusts, and research papers.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition	v
Preface to the First Edition	vii
Acknowledgements	ix
Introduction	1	(7)
The Nature of Writing	1	(2)
The Nature of This Book	3	(2)
General Priorities for Legal Writing	5	(1)
Bibliography	6	(2)
Process	8	(14)
Understanding Your Process	8	(7)
Describing Your Current Writing Habits	9	(2)
Evaluating and Improving Your Process	11	(4)
Other Circumstances Affecting Process	15	(5)
Working With Other Writers	15	(1)
Reviewing Another's Writing	16	(1)
Working With Different Technologies	17	(1)
Dictation Technologies	17	(2)
Word Processing Technologies	19	(1)
Conclusion	20	(1)
Bibliography	20	(2)
Statutes, Rules, or Other Regulations	22	(32)
Interviewing Your Clients and Researching the Law	23	(2)
Judicial Interpretation of Statutes	25	(4)
Choosing and Organizing Standard Clauses	29	(8)
Official Title	29	(1)
Enacting Clause and Short Title	30	(1)
Purpose or Policy Clause	31	(1)
Definitions	32	(2)
Substantive and Administrative Clauses	34	(1)
Miscellaneous Clauses	35	(1)
Amendments	35	(1)
Incorporating Provision	35	(1)
Exceptions	36	(1)
Severability Clause	36	(1)
Savings Clause	37	(1)
Effective Date	37	(1)
Drafting Considerations for Statutes	37	(10)
Accuracy	37	(1)
Choose Words That Communicate Your Meaning	38	(1)
Organize Content of the Chapter Logically	38	(1)
Use Sentence Structure that Reflects the Content's Logical Structure	39	(2)
Use Correct Punctuation	41	(1)
Clarity	42	(1)
Use Words the Reader Understands	42	(2)
Prefer Straight-Forward Organization of Content	44	(2)
Omit Unneeded Words	46	(1)
Conclusion	47	(5)
Bibliography	52	(2)
Jury Instructions	54	(35)
General Considerations When Choosing and Revising Instructions	55	(7)
Considerations of the Judiciary	56	(2)
Considerations of the Litigator	58	(4)
Techniques for Choosing and Revising Instructions	62	(13)
Choosing Instructions	64	(2)
Revising Instructions	66	(1)
Delete Any Irrelevant Information	67	(1)
Personalize the Instructions	68	(1)
Substitute Common Spoken English Wherever Possible	69	(1)
Define Any Critical, Uncommon Words	70	(1)
Find All Lists in Your Instructions, Structure Each of Them Clearly, and Move Each List to the End of the Sentence	70	(1)
Use Signal Words as Needed to Clarify Structure	71	(1)
Use Verbs Instead of Nouns Stating Action	72	(1)
Put Modifying Phrases Next to the Words They Modify	73	(1)
Delete Unneeded Negatives	73	(1)
Divide or Simplify Any Complicated Sentences Still Remaining	74	(1)
Conclusion	75	(10)
Bibliography	85	(4)
Contracts	89	(28)
Writing Techniques for Contracts	90	(3)
Thoroughness	91	(1)
Consistency	91	(2)
Steps For Drafting the Contract	93	(14)
Research the Parties' Relationship and the Law	94	(3)
Think Through What Is Needed in the Contract	97	(1)
Write a Draft or an Outline, Concentrating on Setting Out the Entire Agreement Between the Parties	98	(4)
Rewrite, Concentrating on Logical and Clear Organization of Major Elements	102	(1)
Revise, Checking Thoroughness and Consistency	103	(2)
Obtain Editing Assistance from Someone Else	105	(1)
Polish for Clarity	106	(1)
Conclusion	107	(8)
Bibliography	115	(2)
Issues	117	(33)
Structuring the Sentence	118	(2)
Developing the Issue as Three Components	120	(9)
Phrasing the Law	120	(1)
Incorporating Case Law or a Group of Enacted Laws	121	(1)
Incorporating a Single Enacted Law	121	(3)
Focusing the Core	124	(2)
Organizing the Significant Facts	126	(1)
Structuring a Simple List	126	(2)
Structuring More Complex Lists	128	(1)
Developing the Issue As A Whole	129	(2)
Unifying the Issue	131	(1)
Structuring the Brief Answer	132	(1)
Moving From Objective to Persuasive Writing	133	(2)
Employing Specific Persuasive Techniques	135	(3)
Incorporating Favorable Aspects of the Law	136	(1)
Adjusting the Core Question to Establish Your Position	136	(1)
Stating Significant and Favorable Facts in More Detail and Unfavorable Ones More Generally	137	(1)
Suggesting the Logical Relationship of Facts	137	(1)
Using Words That Steer the Reader Toward Your Opinion	138	(1)
Conclusion	138	(10)
Bibliography	148	(2)
Objective Statements of Fact	150	(17)
Determining Which Facts to Include	151	(2)
Legally Significant Facts	151	(1)
Background Facts	151	(1)
Emotion-laden Facts	152	(1)
Organizing the Facts	153	(2)
Writing Statements of Fact	155	(2)
State Key Points Specifically and Concretely	155	(1)
Keep Labels Minimal and Consistent	156	(1)
Substitute Names for Pronouns	156	(1)
State Emotion-laden Facts Objectively and Neutrally	157	(1)
Using Visual Aids	157	(6)
Conclusion	163	(2)
Bibliography	165	(2)
Persuasive Statements of Fact	167	(27)
Guidelines for Making Choices	168	(2)
When news is bad, frame it	168	(1)
If it's not true, don't claim it	169	(1)
When news is good, be bold	169	(1)
When it's too much, break the mold	169	(1)
State essentials, every one	170	(1)
Please stop writing when you're done	170	(1)
Specific Techniques	170	(22)
Techniques Involving Overall Organization	171	(1)
Techniques Involving Paragraph Organization	172	(1)
Techniques Involving Sentence Structure	172	(1)
Short Sentences	172	(1)
Subjects and Verbs	173	(1)
Active Voice	174	(1)
Placement of Dependent Clauses	175	(4)
Unusual Order	179	(1)
Techniques Involving Word Choice	179	(1)
Emotional Association	180	(1)
Degree of Detail	181	(1)
Terms of Address	182	(1)
Unusual Wording	182	(1)
Repetition	183	(1)
Rhythm	184	(2)
Incorporating These Techniques into the Writing Process	186	(6)
Bibliography	192	(2)
Discussion Sections of Research Memos	194	(25)
Organization Tools and Their Uses	195	(5)
Outlines	195	(2)
Rough Drafts and Thesis Sentences	197	(2)
Webs and Other Visual Tools	199	(1)
Common Patterns for Presenting Content	200	(6)
Trial Pattern	200	(1)
Analytical Pattern	201	(2)
Bifurcated Pattern	203	(1)
Educational Pattern	204	(1)
Weighing Possibilities Pattern	205	(1)
Adapting Your Content for Your Reader	206	(3)
Presenting Your Organized Content	209	(6)
Large-Scale Organization of the Discussion Section	209	(1)
Mid--Scale Organization of the Law and Application	210	(1)
The Legal Foundation	210	(2)
The Logical Steps That Explain Your Reasoning	212	(1)
The Landing	213	(1)
Small-Scale Organization: Paragraphs and Sentences	214	(1)
Conclusion	215	(2)
Bibliography	217	(2)
Argument Sections	219	(29)
Purpose and Focus	219	(2)
Context	221	(1)
Techniques for Persuasive Argument Sections	222	(16)
Large-Scale Organization	222	(1)
Choosing Content Appropriate to Your Reader's Role	222	(4)
Choosing Content That Resolves the Issue	226	(1)
Handling Emotional Facts	227	(1)
Grouping and Sequencing Content	228	(1)
Small-Scale Organization	229	(1)
Maintaining Focus	229	(1)
Answering Opposing Arguments	230	(2)
Blending Policy into Reasoning	232	(1)
Sentence Structure	233	(1)
Using Sentence Structure to Enhance Arguments	233	(1)
Combining and Extending Structural Techniques	234	(1)
Word Choice	235	(1)
Using Imagery	235	(1)
Describing Concisely	236	(1)
Injecting Humor	237	(1)
Widening Vocabulary	237	(1)
Polishing Details	237	(1)
Achieving Balance and Unity	238	(2)
Conclusion	240	(6)
Bibliography	246	(2)
Pleadings	248	(25)
General Concerns	248	(2)
Process for Achieving Thoroughness and Precision	250	(7)
Interview Your Client and Investigate the Facts	250	(1)
Research the Procedural and Substantive Law	251	(2)
Consider Tactics When Drafting Pleadings	253	(4)
Drafting the Complaint	257	(10)
The Caption	257	(1)
The Commencement	258	(1)
The Body or Charging Portion	258	(6)
The Prayer or Demand for Judgment	264	(2)
Signature and Address	266	(1)
Verification	266	(1)
Drafting the Answer	267	(1)
Conclusion	268	(3)
Bibliography	271	(2)
Notices of Motion, Motions, and Orders	273	(19)
Procedure, Strategy, and Ethics of Motion Practice	275	(5)
Rules Controlling Motion Practice	275	(3)
Ethical and Strategic Considerations of Motion Practice	278	(2)
Drafting the Documents for Motion Practice	280	(8)
Notices of Motion	282	(3)
Motions	285	(2)
Orders	287	(1)
Conclusion	288	(3)
Bibliography	291	(1)
Interrogatories	292	(20)
Research The Rules and the Law	294	(4)
Researching Procedural Rules	294	(3)
Researching the Substantive Law	297	(1)
Locate the Interrogatories Within Your Discovery Plan	298	(1)
Draft the Interrogatories	299	(8)
The Preface	300	(1)
The Definitions	301	(2)
Preliminary Questions	303	(2)
Substantive Questions	305	(2)
Concluding Questions	307	(1)
Conclusion	307	(3)
Bibliography	310	(2)
General Correspondence	312	(38)
Priorities	313	(1)
Components	314	(2)
The Opening, Orienting the Reader	314	(1)
The Middle, Delivering the Content	314	(1)
The Ending, Closing Consistently and Politely	315	(1)
Formats	316	(3)
Electronic Mail	316	(1)
Memos	317	(1)
Letters	318	(1)
Adjustments for Various Readers	319	(4)
In-House Readers	319	(3)
Out-of-House Readers	322	(1)
Adjustments for Various Tasks	323	(12)
Informing	325	(1)
Communicating Good News or Neutral Information	325	(2)
Communicating Bad News	327	(2)
Persuading	329	(2)
Persuading by Common Goals	331	(1)
Persuading Through a Problem--Solution Approach	332	(1)
Persuading with Opportunities	333	(1)
Persuading Through Warnings	333	(2)
Adjustments for Tone	335	(4)
Unemotional or Emotional Regarding the Subject	336	(1)
Impersonal or Personal Regarding Relationship to the Reader	337	(1)
Formal or Informal Stance Toward the Reader	337	(2)
Conclusion	339	(9)
Bibliography	348	(2)
Opinion Letters	350	(21)
General Considerations	351	(6)
Answering the Client's Question	352	(1)
Making the Answer Understandable to the Client	352	(1)
Clarifying the Opinion's Limits	353	(3)
Fulfilling Your Professional Responsibility	356	(1)
Preparing the Opinion	357	(7)
Date and Addressee	358	(1)
The Opening	359	(1)
The Facts	360	(1)
The Conclusion	360	(2)
Explanation Section	362	(1)
The Closing	363	(1)
Conclusion	364	(5)
Bibliography	369	(2)
Wills and Trusts	371	(35)
Interviewing Your Client	372	(3)
Determining the Substantive and Procedural Law	375	(4)
Statutory Requirements	375	(1)
Tax Consequences	376	(1)
Property Doctrines	377	(2)
Drafting Considerations	379	(18)
Accuracy and Readability	379	(2)
Organization of Wills and Trusts	381	(2)
Standard Will Clauses	383	(1)
Payments of Debts and Funeral Expenses	384	(1)
Bequests	385	(2)
Disinheritance	387	(2)
Guardianship	389	(1)
Wills With Trusts	390	(1)
Appointing the Executor and Trustee	391	(3)
Testimonium Clause	394	(1)
Attestation Clause	394	(2)
Challenges to the Will	396	(1)
Conclusion	397	(6)
Bibliography	403	(3)
Scholarly Articles and Other Research Papers	406	(15)
The Initial Proposal	407	(1)
The Progress Report	408	(4)
The Outline or Rough Draft	412	(3)
Organization for Those Who Can't Outline	413	(2)
The Complete Draft	415	(1)
The Good Draft	416	(3)
The Final Draft	419	(1)
Bibliography	420	(1)
Index	421