Aspen Handbook for Legal Writers: A Practical Reference

Front Cover
Aspen Publishers, 2009 - Law - 329 pages
Concise and compact, The Aspen Handbook for Legal Writers: A Practical Reference, Second Edition, offers thorough coverage of proper legal writing technique and style to help students resolve questions and develop strong writing skills. Accessible and user-friendly, this complete reference book features : grammar, style, and usage presented in a clear, complete, and succinct format numerous helpful examples that illustrate strong and effective legal writing as well as common errors to avoid a special Legal Documents section that offers tips and strategies for writing letters, memoranda, and briefs (both trial and appellate) a comb binding and conveniently compact size a clear organization and uncluttered, two-color page design that highlights important information website resources listed for every topic Tips and Strategies in each chapter that hone in on key topics Challenge Exercises through which students can test their knowledge quick-reference Table of Contents on the inside front cover and a quick-reference Style Sheet on the inside back cover helpful appendices that include Citation Form (using both Bluebook and ALWD examples), a sample appellate brief, and a section for ESL users CD-ROM available to instructors with additional exercises Updated throughout, The revised Second Edition includes : many new examples current website references throughout new sample documents, including new legal memorandum, trial court brief, and all new case brief expanded information on preparing Tables of Authorities additional supplemental exercises on the instructor’s CD-ROM The Aspen Handbook for Legal Writers, Second Edition, Is the complete and easy-to-use legal writing reference that provides comprehensive coverage in a surprisingly compact format.

Contents

Grammar Punctuation
1
Chapter
4
E Modifiers
10
H Conjunctions
27
FFFFFFFF
36
Apostrophes
39
F Semicolons
45
G Quotation Marks
46
Consideration 195 d Operative Terms
195
Legal Conventions and Legal Writing Blunders
205
A Legal Conventions
206
Including But Not Limited to Phrases
207
Law Firm Names
208
Supporting Authorities
209
Conclusory Language
210
Concurring and Dissenting Opinions
211

Spelling
54
Chapter 3
55
Capitalization
60
Section
71
Clarity
84
E Readability
90
Avoid Nominalizations
97
Use Forceful Words
103
F Conciseness
109
Chapter 5
114
Organization and the Writing Process
115
Pleadings and Transactional Documents
127
B The Audience and Tone for Legal Correspondence
136
Chapter 7
153
Chapter 8
169
Section Four
187
B Transactional Documents
193
Authors of Court Opinions
212
Headings
213
Section Four
215
Proofreading for Others
223
Chapter 12
227
Appendix
229
B Formatting and Layout
230
Citation Form
235
Appendix
249
Appendix C
262
CONCLUSION 14
278
Appendix D
279
Appendix
297
Appendix
303
Appendix
317
Copyright

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