1. CHAPTER 13 Basic Legal Writing Tools

2. The Bluebook Rule 5.3 – The Ellipsis Use to indicate the omission of a word or words Use to indicate the omission of a word or words Never begin a sentence with an ellipsis Never begin a sentence with an ellipsis Use brackets on the first letter of the opening word to indicate the change from lower case to upper case Use brackets on the first letter of the opening word to indicate the change from lower case to upper case

3. What to Consider After Completing the Research Phase Were the assignment directions followed? Were the assignment directions followed? Are all questions answered clearly and concisely? Are all questions answered clearly and concisely? Were all questions answered? Were all questions answered? Is the research accurate, current, and valid? Is the research accurate, current, and valid? Is the research as thorough as possible? Is the research as thorough as possible?

4. Overview of the Project What is the project? What is the goal? What is the project? What is the goal? Who is the audience? Who is the audience? What are the issues? What are the issues? How does the audience benefit from the results? How does the audience benefit from the results? Which citation manual must be followed? Which citation manual must be followed? What are the points of emphasis? What are the points of emphasis?

5. Overview of the Project (continued) What is the proper legal authority for each emphasized point? What is the proper legal authority for each emphasized point? Is there a length restriction? Is there a length restriction? Does the draft meet the length restriction, if any? Does the draft meet the length restriction, if any? What is the required completion date? What is the required completion date?

6. The Thesis Paragraph Sets forth the client’s problem Sets forth the client’s problem States the legal issue States the legal issue Briefly explains the rules governing the issues Briefly explains the rules governing the issues States the legal conclusion States the legal conclusion

7. Paragraphs Most start with a topic sentence Most start with a topic sentence Introduces issue(s) and sub-issue(s) Introduces issue(s) and sub-issue(s) Connects back to the thesis paragraph Connects back to the thesis paragraph Make paragraphs self-explanatory and don’t assume knowledge on the part of the reader Make paragraphs self-explanatory and don’t assume knowledge on the part of the reader

8. Sentences Vary sentence length for increased readability Vary sentence length for increased readability Avoid extremely long and convoluted sentences Avoid extremely long and convoluted sentences Hard to follow Hard to follow Creates ambiguities Creates ambiguities Seek to use the active voice Seek to use the active voice

9. General Writing Principles Avoid unnecessary words Avoid unnecessary words Use “concrete” terms Use “concrete” terms Say 6’2” rather than “tall” Say 6’2” rather than “tall” Say 84 MPH rather than “driving fast” Say 84 MPH rather than “driving fast” Remember that legal writing is intended to inform and/or convince the reader, not to entertain the reader Remember that legal writing is intended to inform and/or convince the reader, not to entertain the reader

10. Overview of the Editing and Review Process Reread your instructions Reread your instructions Check your document for organization Check your document for organization Verify proper topic sentences and proper transition of paragraphs Verify proper topic sentences and proper transition of paragraphs Verify the existence and adequacy of the thesis paragraph Verify the existence and adequacy of the thesis paragraph Be sure that each paragraph contains facts and law supporting your thesis Be sure that each paragraph contains facts and law supporting your thesis

11. Overview of the Editing and Review Process (continued) Confirm that verbs are active and appropriate Confirm that verbs are active and appropriate Verify the proper use of transition words and phrases Verify the proper use of transition words and phrases Be sure that the document opening clearly and concisely introduces the intended topic Be sure that the document opening clearly and concisely introduces the intended topic Verify that the conclusion properly ties the document together Verify that the conclusion properly ties the document together