Writing tips of legal articles

Writing tips of legal articles

The legal wording is usually intimately linked to the persuasion of its readership: compared to its graduation, its ideas, its arguments, the record of its client, etc.

So, how do you do?

The writing is a form of creation; So we can approach it in many ways. On the other hand, Slaw noted commonalities in effective legal writing ... and persuasive. We are present here.

1. The plan

Even before starting the writing, and you do not tell you anything, it's better to determine what the purpose of exercise, your readers, and what you are trying to say. If possible, you can test your arguments with your friends and comparses of work.

Then put on paper a concise and clear plane in the form of points to develop your argument. These points will probably become the different sections of your article. You should have a very good idea of ​​what you are going to write and how: the plan is never time lost!

2. Introduction

Forget the "brought topic" of secondary school and CEGEP. As from the start, and very clearly, the thesis you will expose in the article.

It is always useful to add why the theme of your article is relevant, is important, is debated, in short, to establish its context ... which responds at the same time to the question: "Why should the reader worry about? "

The subject of your article should help you determine the length of the introduction and what you should include.

3. Road map

If we forget the "brought topic", we do not forget the "divided subject", at least somehow. Form for the reader a roadmap that will explain how you will develop your argument, section by section of the article. This makes reading easier.

4. Organization

The organization of your article matters a lot. Align yourself on your roadmap and create links between different paragraphs so that everything flows from source.

The titles in each section will help guide the reader, and each section should help advance your argument, to refute a counter-argument, or help to conclude the article.

5. An idea by paragraph

The first sentence of each paragraph should clearly announce what it will talk about. This is a statement, in a way, that you will hold over the paragraph. The paragraph becomes the elaborate idea you put in its first sentence.

6. Argument

Of course add arguments to develop your thesis, and do not forget a little further from including possible counter-arguments by refuting them. It is often more persuasive to tackle forehead to what goes against your idea rather than ignoring it, since your reader will probably lift themselves these same counter-arguments.

Be right with the counter-arguments, and when possible, explain how your own arguments are preferable, or at least also plausible.

7. The quality of the language

As we know: the article should not contain grammair, syntax or spelling error. But a good writing goes well beyond that.

Too long sentences or very heavy legal jargon can distract the reader of your message. Moreover, simple, clear and inclusive writing is often the most persuasive. You are not Marcel Proust, you are a lawyer. Think simplicity, and try to cut the commas. As for point 5; An idea by sentence!

When writing is complete, leave your article aside a few days before coming back for one last reading. This new perspective could allow you to find a point that you neglected, or even a shell.

If it is appropriate, read it also by someone else.

8. Documentation

Use search and documentation to prove your point. This documentation may include facts, expert opinions, scientific reports, and even personal experiences when it is relevant.

On the other hand, avoid summarizing immense paragraphs of this documentation as if you write a reading report. Be succinct. In the context of academic work, think your reader is already paid into the sources you mention.

9. Predictability

No need for punch at the end: predictability, it's your friend. The time the reader renders the latest paragraph of your article, it should already know where you are going. Your reader should be with you from start to finish.