Beyond the Basics : A Text for Advanced Legal Writing

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ISBN: 9780314242631 | 0314242635
Cover: Paperback
Copyright: 7/1/2003

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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.

Preface to the Second Edition

Preface to the First Edition

vii

Acknowledgements

Introduction

(7)

The Nature of Writing

(2)

The Nature of This Book

(2)

General Priorities for Legal Writing

(1)

Bibliography

(2)

Process

(14)

Understanding Your Process

(7)

Describing Your Current Writing Habits

(2)

Evaluating and Improving Your Process

(4)

Other Circumstances Affecting Process

(5)

Working With Other Writers

(1)

Reviewing Another's Writing

(1)

Working With Different Technologies

(1)

Dictation Technologies

(2)

Word Processing Technologies

(1)

Conclusion

(1)

Bibliography

(2)

Statutes, Rules, or Other Regulations

(32)

Interviewing Your Clients and Researching the Law

(2)

Judicial Interpretation of Statutes

(4)

Choosing and Organizing Standard Clauses

(8)

Official Title

(1)

Enacting Clause and Short Title

(1)

Purpose or Policy Clause

(1)

Definitions

(2)

Substantive and Administrative Clauses

(1)

Miscellaneous Clauses

(1)

Amendments

(1)

Incorporating Provision

(1)

Exceptions

(1)

Severability Clause

(1)

Savings Clause

(1)

Effective Date

(1)

Drafting Considerations for Statutes

(10)

Accuracy

(1)

Choose Words That Communicate Your Meaning

(1)

Organize Content of the Chapter Logically

(1)

Use Sentence Structure that Reflects the Content's Logical Structure

(2)

Use Correct Punctuation

(1)

Clarity

(1)

Use Words the Reader Understands

(2)

Prefer Straight-Forward Organization of Content

(2)

Omit Unneeded Words

(1)

Conclusion

(5)

Bibliography

(2)

Jury Instructions

(35)

General Considerations When Choosing and Revising Instructions

(7)

Considerations of the Judiciary

(2)

Considerations of the Litigator

(4)

Techniques for Choosing and Revising Instructions

(13)

Choosing Instructions

(2)

Revising Instructions

(1)

Delete Any Irrelevant Information

(1)

Personalize the Instructions

(1)

Substitute Common Spoken English Wherever Possible

(1)

Define Any Critical, Uncommon Words

(1)

Find All Lists in Your Instructions, Structure Each of Them Clearly, and Move Each List to the End of the Sentence

(1)

Use Signal Words as Needed to Clarify Structure

(1)

Use Verbs Instead of Nouns Stating Action

(1)

Put Modifying Phrases Next to the Words They Modify

(1)

Delete Unneeded Negatives

(1)

Divide or Simplify Any Complicated Sentences Still Remaining

(1)

Conclusion

(10)

Bibliography

(4)

Contracts

(28)

Writing Techniques for Contracts

(3)

Thoroughness

(1)

Consistency

(2)

Steps For Drafting the Contract

(14)

Research the Parties' Relationship and the Law

(3)

Think Through What Is Needed in the Contract

(1)

Write a Draft or an Outline, Concentrating on Setting Out the Entire Agreement Between the Parties

(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

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Beyond the Basics : A Text for Advanced Legal Writing

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials