Do you know, say and convey what you mean? — Using the right words is all important.
II A DIGRESSION ON LEGAL ENGLISH
The language of statutory documents lies outside the scope of this book.
Think for others rather than yourself. — How to draft a letter. — Three fundamental precepts: Be short. Be simple. Be human.
A fourth precept: Be correct. — Discipline in official writing. — Efforts to preserve pure English: vain resistance to new words and new meanings. — The duty of the official. — Incorrect words and phrases. — Some points of idiom and of spelling.
V THE CHOICE OF WORDS (1): Introductory
Ready and precise meaning. — Causes of the converse: examples and remedies. — Use few, familiar and precise words.
VI THE CHOICE OF WORDS (2): Avoiding the superfluous word
Some types of verbosity. — Padding.
VII THE CHOICE OF WORDS (3): Choosing the familiar word
Types of failure. — Jargon and legal diction. — Seductive, showy words.
VIII THE CHOICE OF WORDS (4): Choosing the precise word
Lure of the abstract word. — The headline phrase. — Overworked words often used imprecisely.
Grammar, its nature and importance. — Troubles in arranging various parts of speech.
Write so as to be clear with a minimum of stops, and use stops for clarity. — Right and wrong use of the various stops, etc.
It is especially important that official writing should be good. — The language is not in decay.
Appendix: Legal English cannot be pretty if it is to serve its purpose