Think before you write the argument.

• Jurisdiction: United States

Section 46. Think before you write the argument.—The basic admonition to the lawyer who is sitting down to write the Argument is simply this: never start to write until you have thought the case through and have completed your basic research. That doesn't mean every citation or every footnote, but it does include a reading, and, whenever required, a rereading, of all the important cases—because the basic authorities are always full of suggestive leads for further development. And be certain that you have really thought your argument through and outlined it, before you put pen to paper (or lips to dictograph) . If it doesn't outline properly, it hasn't been...