Plain English for Lawyers · 6th Edition by Wydick, Richard C. -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Preface and Acknowledgments, Sixth Edition Preface and Acknowledgments, Fifth Edition CHAPTER 1 Why Plain English? CHAPTER 2 Omit Surplus Words

How to Spot Bad Construction Avoid Compound Constructions Avoid Word-Wasting Expressions Avoid It is Sentences Avoid Redundant Legal Phrases

CHAPTER 3 Use Verbs to Express Action CHAPTER 4 Prefer the Active Voice

The Difference Between Active and Passive Voice Problems with the Passive Voice When to Use the Passive Voice

CHAPTER 5 Use Short Sentences CHAPTER 6 Arrange Your Words Carefully

Avoid Wide Gaps Between the Subject, the Verb, and the Object Put Conditions and Exceptions Where They Are Clear and Easy to Read When Necessary, Make a List Put Modifying Words Close to What They Modify Avoid Noun Chains Avoid Nested Modifiers Clarify the Reach of Modifiers

CHAPTER 7 Choose Your Words Carefully

Use Concrete Words Use Familiar Words Use Gender-Neutral Words Use Strong Nouns and Verbs to Persuade Avoid Empty Lawyerisms Avoid Multiple Negatives Avoid Distracting Words and Syntax

CHAPTER 8 Use Commas Carefully

Definitions of Terms Comma Usage Use a Comma to Connect Two Independent Clauses With a Conjunction Use a Comma After an Introductory Element Use Commas to Set Off Nonessential Elements from the Rest of the Sentence Use Commas to Separate Items in a Series Use Commas to Set Off Dates, Titles, Geographic Names, and Short Quotations

CHAPTER 9 Use Other Punctuation Marks Carefully

Periods, Question Marks, and Exclamation Points Semicolons Colons Parentheses Dashes Hyphens Apostrophes

CHAPTER 10 Use Easy-to-Read Design Techniques

Choose a Legible Font Use the Right Amount of Space to Separate Words and Lines Use Generous Page Margins Use Visual Clues to Orient the Reader Within the Text Use Lists and Tables Special Considerations for Email

APPENDIX Reader's Exercise Key

Chapter Endnotes Index