Legal Writing in Plain English: A Text With Exercises,   ISBN:9780226284187

Customer Rating: 

In this book published by the University of Chicago Press, Bryan Garner has assembled an interesting collection of exercises and instructions. He focuses a good deal of attention at the outset on how one should "frame one's thoughts" on a subject, and then proceeds to enhance our understanding of sentence phrasing options and word choices. I especially enjoyed this preferatory work-up. We can all use this - for initial learning or for refreshing and revising our approaches. He includes principles for legal drafting, while also going into the detail of document design, discussing American standards - both those we might keep and those that should be abandoned. The great strengths in Garner's materials are that (1) he takes good firm positions on what is best-usage in legal English, (2) he explains clearly why, and (3) his own prose is fun to read. If one has the time to devote, this is a wonderful book for the advanced student, learner and legal practitioner.

Customer Rating: 

Simply put, this is a handy writing guide for lawyers. Just casually flipping through this book for a few minutes will make you a better writer. For example, I especially like the lists, which give you substitutes for legalese or summarize styles that Judges like. Briefly reading through this book taught me more than I learned in an entire semester of Legal Research & Writing. I highly recommend it.

Customer Rating: 

This reference book is a great tool for prompting the editing of your own work. Often I will write something and after I have edited it then I will take a look at a few random sections of this book and make sure that my writing is in line with what this master wordsmith suggests. A bit of an erratic method of editing, but it serves a purpose of making me seriously think about if something applies or not to my work. However random, I am often surprised by the things that I turn up via this method.

In striving to be a better writer, complacency and comfort are your enemies. Garner has helped me break out of my self-made box. I gave it four out of five stars because there are times I am left wanting more from a few of the sections in this book. If there was a 4.5 star rating, then this book would have my vote.

Customer Rating: 

The book is excellent. It teaches you everything about legal writing: design, grammar, persuasive writing, organized ideas and punctuation. Don't forget the exercises. They will help you to recognize your weaknesses in writing.

Customer Rating: 

The book was everything i wanted. Very helpful, intricate, detailed, and just what i needed for my legal writing class. I highly recommend this book for those students pursung legal studies, and paralegal work.