Legal Writing in Plain English: A Text With Exercises

by Bryan A. Garner

Admirably clear, concise, down-to-earth, and powerful-unfortunately, these adjectives rarely describe legal writing, whether in the form of briefs, opinions, contracts, or statutes. In Legal Writing in Plain English, Bryan A. Garner provides lawyers, judges, paralegals, law students, and legal scholars sound advice and practical tools for improving their written work. The book encourages legal writers to challenge conventions and offers valuable insights into the writing process: how to organize ideas, create and refine prose, and improve editing skills. In essence, it teaches straight thinking--a skill inseparable from good writing.

Replete with common sense and wit, the book draws on real-life writing samples that Garner has gathered through more than a decade of teaching in the field. Trenchant advice covers all types of legal materials, from analytical and persuasive writing to legal drafting. Meanwhile, Garner explores important aspects of document design. Basic, intermediate, and advanced exercises in each section reinforce the book's principles. (An answer key to basic exercises is included in the book; answers to intermediate and advanced exercises are provided in a separate Instructor's Manual, free of charge to instructors.) Appendixes include a comprehensive punctuation guide with advice and examples, and four model documents.

Today more than ever before, legal professionals cannot afford to ignore the trend toward clear language shorn of jargon. Clients demand it, and courts reward it. Despite the age-old tradition of poor writing in law, Legal Writing in Plain English shows how legal writers can unshackle themselves.

Legal Writing in Plain English includes:

*Tips on generating thoughts, organizing them, and creating outlines.
*Sound advice on expressing your ideas clearly and powerfully.
*Dozens of real-life writing examples to illustrate writing problems and solutions.
*Exercises to reinforce principles of good writing (also available on the Internet).
*Helpful guidance on page layout.
*A punctuation guide that shows the correct uses of every punctuation mark.
*Model legal documents that demonstrate the power of plain English.

Genres: Law, Writing, Legal, Nonfiction, Reference, Professional Development, Education

227 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Inder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bryan Garner is a genius. I wish I could use all of his suggestions in my legal writing, but (a) I'm a creature of habit; and (b) the legal profession is stuck in its bad old ways. Still, I do my best to use his better suggestions on a regular basis. No passive voice, people! Deep issues are the only way to go! Put cites in footnotes! Garner is an advocate of simplicity and reason in a profession that wades, eye-deep, in jargon and archaic clogged-up writing. Remember, good writing makes the reader feel smart, not stupid! Although aimed at lawyers, book would be valuable to anyone does a lot of analytical writing in their work. And of course, the book is impeccably written and engaging. You gotta give the guy props - he has managed to write a funny and engaging book about legal writing! Need I say more?

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of these tips are as good as tips go. But the book seems to believe that you have, among other things, a group full of lawyers willing to do work to create exercises for each other and access to senior lawyers who are willing to talk about their writing process whenever you'd like.

Some of the exercises include things like (I kid you not) find additional authority that support the tips made in the last chapter.

Garner also tends to treat his preferences like ironclad rules.

[Simon Rask · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expect to rely upon (and regularly consult) this book for years to come.

[Hamid Harasani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gives some great legal writing tips that any professional legal writer can benefit from. The author's style is truly reflective of his impressive command in writing plain English.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish I'd had this when I was in law school....

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

If every lawyer read this and adhered to Garner's advice, it would be easier to do business. I know it's never going to happen, but I just had to say it.

[TΞΞL❍CK Mith!lesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

written by legal writing guru Bryan Garner, is a must-own for any law student or attorney who is serious about improving his or her legal writing.

That’s because Legal Writing in Plain English teaches you the nuts and bolts of crafting excellent briefs and legal memoranda by laying out a step-by-step process for organizing your ideas, creating and refining your voice, and improving your editing skills.

Legal Writing in Plain English is divided into five masterful sections: (1) principles for all legal writing; (2) principles mainly for analytical and persuasive writing; (3) principles mainly for legal drafting; (4) principles of document design; and (5) methods for continuous improvement. Garner then walks you through these five principles and methods by reviewing dozens of real-world writing samples.

In brief, Garner’s common-sense approach to legal writing will help you crystallize the skills that all great legal writers possess.

[Danna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Try to use the simplest, most straightforward way of expressing an idea.

[Zoom · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title says it all. A how-to book on translating dense, unnecessarily complex legalese into plain language.

I read this for work and it was helpful.

[Neeraj Niel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book recommended to every lawyer, judge or legal writer, a perfect example of "don't judge a book by its cover"

[Beth Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some practical ideas and applications for learning to write well. Persuasive writing and crafting a legal argument require a certain skill set, and such a skill set is presented in memorable terms. A good read to improve essay and research writing, especially beyond the graduate level.

[Nouman S. Ghumman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book on how to learn to write in clear English. I have already recommended this books many times to give to people. The book is very helpful in teaching you how to go from convoluted writing to easy to understand English. Highly recommended for anyone, not just lawyers.

[Katelin · Rating 4 out of 5]

read this for a class

[The Literary Jedi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coursework textbook for spouse

[Jerry Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for anyone entering Law School. This book will optimize your English and ensure your success with the language.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another useful resource for attorneys, especially for grammar

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellently organized and written. The examples being drawn from actual legal writing was tremendously helpful. Highly recommend!

[Yusuf Hacking · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good.

[Swensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riveting

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The guy's friendship with the late Antonin Scalia suggests he's a fascist but he obviously knows what he's talking about.

If you're writing professionally in either law or an adjacent field you should really check this out.

[Linh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to know.

I got some precious remarks. Sometimes I don't even pay attention on my legal writing presentation and expressing my idea in english.

[Mara Kartiwa]

I will not rate this book,,, I tried reading it and tried to understand it, but it was just too difficult for me,,, reading it felt like i was reading a book in a foreign language,,, i guess legal writing is just not my thing,,, =P

[Alex Roe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, though not great for lawyers who are not native speakers of English. Having said that, information in this book provides tips which can improve the structure and quality of legal writers no matter what their language, though I'd be happy to be challenged on this.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great reference book for students. I haven't used the exercises or assigned those to my students, but the other parts of the book are incredibly useful for those who aim to improve their legal writing. The explanations and the examples are clear and succinct. A great resource.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely well written, which is what one would hope from a book on writing.

[Philip Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book includes practical advice that lawyers can implement immediately. (Note: I read the 2nd ed. on Kindle)

[wen · Rating 4 out of 5]

me the day i get hired in a law firm and they hand me some overly verbose legalese gibberish: bryan a. garner would spit in your eye

[Noris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente guía para ser mejor escritor

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, so goo!

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent for any writer.