Picture 1 of 1

Stock photo

Legal Writing in Plain English, Second Edition: A Text with Exercises [Chicago G - Picture 1 of 1

Legal Writing in Plain English, Second Edition : A Text with Exercises by Bryan A. Garner (2013, Trade Paperback)

5.02 product ratings

cyclebook (547)

98.2% positive Feedback

Price:

US $28.78

Approximately£21.27

+ $14.38 postage

Estimated delivery Mon, 4 Aug - Thu, 14 Aug

Returns:

30 days return. Buyer pays for return postage. If you use an eBay delivery label, it will be deducted from your refund amount.

Condition:

New

Spend Less, Read More.

About this product

Product Identifiers

PublisherUniversity of Chicago Press

ISBN-100226283933

ISBN-139780226283937

eBay Product ID (ePID)143649527

Product Key Features

Edition2

Book TitleLegal Writing in Plain English, Second Edition : a Text with Exercises

Number of Pages256 Pages

LanguageEnglish

Publication Year2013

TopicReference, Legal Writing

IllustratorYes

GenreLaw

AuthorBryan A. Garner

Book SeriesChicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing Ser.

FormatTrade Paperback

Dimensions

Item Height0.1 in

Item Weight15.9 Oz

Item Length0.9 in

Item Width0.7 in

Additional Product Features

Intended AudienceTrade

LCCN2012-045006

Dewey Edition23

ReviewsThis magnificent book explains every major principle of plain legal writing in a way that no other book has ever done. Based on years of Garner's research and teaching, this book elevates the standard of what a legal-writing text can and should be. Get a copy for every law student, lawyer, and legislator that you know., This easy-to-follow guide is useful both as a general course of instruction and as a targeted aid in solving particular legal writing problems., The importance of improving writing skills . . . is also the central theme of one of my favourite books of the year: Garner's Legal Writing in Plain English . Much more exciting than the title suggests, it leads the reader through a series of observations and exercises to develop a simple, clear and elegant writing style. My only regret is that it is written for a US market with corresponding examples. There is surely a need for a UK version, which should routinely be given to all law students, trainees and even some senior partners., The importance of improving writing skills . . . is also the central theme of one of my favourite books of the year: Garner's Legal Writing in Plain English . Much more exciting than the title suggests, it leads the reader through a series of observations and exercises to develop a simple, clear and elegant writing style. My only regret is that it is written for a US market with corresponding examples. There is surely a need for a UK version, which should routinely be given to all law students, trainees and even some senior partners., Garner's work is a significant improvement [over other books] . . . . Those who are willing to approach the book systematically and to complete the exercises will see dramatic improvements in their writing., Interspersed with rules of good writing is a revolutionary manifesto packaged in a plain gray wrapper. This book won't draw attention merely by sitting on your shelf, but if you put certain pieces of its advice in the next legal document you draft, you are sure to raise the eyebrows of any lawyer who reads it.

Dewey Decimal808.06634

Table Of ContentPreface Introduction Part One: 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. Shun newfangled acronyms. § 20. Make everything you write speakable. Part Two: 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 Three: 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 Four: 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 Five: 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 Index

SynopsisAdmirably clear, concise, down-to-earth, and powerful--all too often, legal writing embodies none of these qualities. Its reputation for obscurity and needless legalese is widespread. Since 2001 Bryan A. Garner's Legal Writing in Plain English has helped address this problem by providing lawyers, judges, paralegals, law students, and legal scholars with sound advice and practical tools for improving their written work. Now the leading guide to clear writing in the field, this indispensable volume encourages legal writers to challenge conventions and offers valuable insights into the writing process that will appeal to other professionals: how to organize ideas, create and refine prose, and improve editing skills. Accessible and witty, Legal Writing in Plain English draws on real-life writing samples that Garner has gathered through decades of teaching experience. Trenchant advice covers all types of legal materials, from analytical and persuasive writing to legal drafting, and the book's principles are reinforced by sets of basic, intermediate, and advanced exercises in each section. 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.

LC Classification NumberKF250.G373 2013