Just Writing : Grammar, Punctuation, and Style for the Legal Writer

by Enquist, Anne; Oates, Laurel Currie

• ISBN13: 9780735523265
• ISBN10: 0735523266
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-06-01
• Publisher: Wolters Kluwer

Summary

Like other forms of writing already known To The first-year law student, clear writing for law contains good grammar, punctuation and organization. it is with that in mind that this text was created For The legal writing novice. JUST WRITING takes what the student already has familiarity to and bridges those concepts into the world of law. The transition into legal authorship becomes easier as the seemingly complicated design of legal works is unraveled, As well as when an understanding of the audience is attained. In JUST WRITING: Grammar, Punctuation, and Style For The Legal Writer, students will gain an understanding of: what the legal audience expects in style the A,B,Cs of legal writing: accuracy, brevity, and clarity general principles in writing and how they manifest themselves in strong legal writing vital skills for every aspect of the law JUST WRITING also features: a special section designed to assist legal writers for whom English is a second language easily navigable chapters and sections that cover everything from introduction to revision descriptions of the most effective ways to get your point across in legalese Recommended for every student in a first-year legal writing course, JUST WRITING: Grammar, Punctuation and Style For The Legal Writer covers all the bases. Students will learn what type of writing to avoid and what writing habits it is best to employ for maximum effect. JUST WRITING is the most efficient, cogent and complete title to guide you through the difficult field of legal writing.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xv
Introduction	1	(4)
Part I A Guide to Effective Writing	5	(154)
Effective Writing--The Whole Paper	7	(16)
The Psychology of Writing	7	(2)
Outlines, Writing Plans, and Ordered Lists	9	(3)
Drafting the Document	12	(3)
Revising	15	(2)
Editing	17	(1)
Proofreading	18	(1)
Myths About Writing	19	(4)
Connections Between Paragraphs	23	(8)
Headings	23	(2)
Roadmaps and Signposts	25	(6)
Effective Paragraphs	31	(22)
The Function of a Paragraph	31	(1)
Paragraph Patterns	32	(1)
Unity and Coherence in Paragraphs	33	(4)
Paragraph Length	37	(3)
Topic and Concluding Sentences	40	(6)
Paragraph Blocks	46	(7)
Connections Between Sentences	53	(18)
Generic Transitions	53	(5)
Orienting Transitions	58	(1)
Substantive Transitions	59	(12)
Effective Sentences	71	(26)
Active and Passive Voice	71	(5)
Concrete Subjects	76	(2)
Action Verbs	78	(2)
Distance Between Subjects and Verbs	80	(2)
Sentence Length	82	(5)
Emphasis	87	(10)
Effective Words	97	(48)
Diction and Precision	97	(13)
Conciseness	110	(16)
Plain English v. Legalese	126	(10)
Gender-neutral Language	136	(5)
Bias-free Language	141	(4)
Eloquence	145	(14)
Purple Prose	145	(2)
Common Features of Eloquent Writing	147	(12)
Part II A Guide to Correct Writing	159	(100)
Grammar	161	(50)
Basic Sentence Grammar	161	(10)
Fragments	171	(5)
Verb Tense and Mood	176	(7)
Agreement	183	(12)
Pronoun Reference	195	(4)
Modifiers	199	(5)
Parallelism	204	(7)
Punctuation	211	(48)
The Comma	211	(19)
The Semicolon	230	(4)
The Colon	234	(2)
The Apostrophe	236	(3)
Other Marks of Punctuation	239	(16)
Comma Splices and Fused Sentences	255	(4)
Part III A Guide to Legal Writing for English-as-a-Second-Language Writers	259	(44)
Legal Writing for English-as-a-Second-Language Writers	261	(42)
Grammar Rules for Non-Native Speakers of English	261	(29)
Rhetorical Preferences in Writing	290	(13)
Glossary of Usage	303	(8)
Index	311

Excerpts

"From the authors of the widely praised Legal Writing Handbook, this concise guide focuses on the basic principles of legal writing. Clear, readable text and numerous examples promote student understanding. New practice exercises, on a CD with the book, develop specific writing skills. Just Writing covers style, grammar, and punctuation and offers tips and techniques for effective drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading."--BOOK JACKET.