Elements of Legal Writing: A Guide to the Principles of Writing Clear, Concise,

I am a law professor and this is the one book about legal writing I recommend to my students. However, please note that this book is not a textbook. There are better textbooks to teach [and learn] analytical thinking, persuasive writing and legal research. What this book provides is a great quick reference guide to some of the most common problems in writing in general and legal writing in particular. The book is well organized and concise. The material is organized around short rules and for every rule there are good examples of poor writing and suggestions on how to improve it.

THE ELEMENTS OF LEGAL WRITING nowadays are clear, simple everyday language avoiding lawyerisms and following standard grammar and word order. Computer and word processing graphic design and typeface breakthroughs make how documents look important: text in attractively manageable chunks, such as paragraphs each generally running no longer than about 1/4-1/2 of the page, and with descriptive headings, footnotes and transitions prioritizing orderly presentation of ideas and respecting the visually balancing role of white space. Authors Martha Faulk and Irving M Mehler review effective format, grammar, organization, tone, and word order choices. Their book would interest readers of Clarice R Cox and Jerrold G Brown's REPORT WRITING FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS, THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND CRIMINOLOGY ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB, Barbara Frazee and Joseph N Davis' PAINLESS POLICE REPORT WRITING, and Don MacLeod's THE INTERNET GUIDE FOR THE LEGAL RESEARCHER