Top 10 Writing Tips from Our Top Writers
| Publication year | 2023 |
| Pages | 14 |
DEPARTMENT
Modern Legal Writing
BY JOHN HISKI RIDGE
Most of us are not great legal writers. That can be hard to hear, but it's true. We're not terrible writers, although those lawyers also exist. Most of us are just ordinary, adequate, maybe even good.
The upside is that most of us want to be better at our craft. So, we do things like read this column, study grammar books, and take writing classes year after year. We keep working hard to improve our skills.
In trying to figure out how to move from a good legal writer to a great legal writer, I interviewed several judges and lawyers who are well-recognized for their writing skills.[1] I queried them about how to improve and asked them for their top writing tips. Some of the advice was commonly agreed upon. I pulled that advice together for this article.
Here are the key writing tips.
1. Practice, Practice, Practice
For the most part, we know how to write. We know the rules of grammar and punctuation; we know how to research and outline our briefs; and we know how to draft, edit, and proofread. Our knowledge is more than sufficient to lead to excellent writing.
It's not the "knowing" that's the problem: it's the "doing." Becoming an excellent writer involves the same level of commitment and dedication required to become an excellent swimmer or biker or speaker or runner or baseball player. It requires practice, and lots of it.
There's no right way to practice writing. Each of us should develop a program that fits our individual needs and skill level. But the program should include consistent and regular practice.
Some writing teachers suggest we practice by journaling or responding to writing prompts. Others suggest we incorporate practice into our daily work, such as by taking extra time to perfect our letters, briefs, and other daily writings. For instance, when writing emails to clients or colleagues we can focus on the form of the email, in addition to the content, making sure that the tone is appropriate, the word choice is suitable, the punctuation and grammar are accurate, the sentence and paragraph structure are correct, and the greeting and signature block are complete. Whatever type of program we develop, however, we need to engage in daily practice to enhance our skills.
2. Read, Read, Read
Great writers read great writing. They do so for the same reason that aspiring baseball players watch clips of Edgar Martinez, who is regarded as one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. They copy his grip, stance, and swing, and they become better hitters.
Similarly, when we read the works of talented writers, we improve our familiarity with language and words. By absorbing and engaging with the sentence structure of Ernest Hemingway, the reasoning of Plato, the phrasing of J. D. Salinger, and the clarity of International New York Times journalists, we grow as writers.
3. Know Your Material
Great writers get to know their material. They investigate the facts; they read every relevant...
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