Summary of Contents
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
How to Get the Most from This Book
Part 1: Facts
Chapter 1 Facts: The Basics (Victims and Villains)
Chapter 2 Facts: Using a Case’s Procedural History to Help Your Client
Chapter 3 Facts: Advanced Techniques
Part 2: Arguments
Chapter 4 How to Build Arguments Based on Authorities
Chapter 5 Countering Your Adversary’s Arguments
Chapter 6 Applying Facts in Arguments
Chapter 7 Textual Arguments
Chapter 8 Arguments Based on Legislative History
Chapter 9 Policy Arguments
Chapter 10 Historical Arguments
Part 3: Other Issues Relating to Briefs
Chapter 11 Selecting and Organizing Arguments
Chapter 12 Questions Presented
Chapter 13 Introductions and Summaries of Argument
Chapter 14 Motions
Chapter 15 Specific Types of Appellate Briefs
Part 4: General Writing Advice
Chapter 16 The Writing Side of Legal Writing
Appendices
Appendix A Karl Llewellyn on Legal Advocacy
Appendix B Topic Sentences
Appendix C Monosyllabic Verbs
Appendix D Attribution of Examples
Index
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
How to Get the Most from This Book
Part 1: FACTS
Chapter 1 Facts: The Basics (Victims and Villains)
Example 1.1
Example 1.2
Example 1.3
Example 1.4
Example 1.5
Example 1.6
Example 1.7
Example 1.8
Frequently Asked Questions About the Basics of Using Facts
Chapter 2 Facts: Using a Case’s Procedural History to Help Your Client
Example 2.1
Example 2.2
Example 2.3
Example 2.4
Example 2.5
Frequently Asked Questions About the Basics of Using Facts
Chapter 3 Facts: Advanced Techniques
Example 3.1
Example 3.2
Example 3.3
Example 3.4
Example 3.5
Example 3.6
Example 3.7
Example 3.8
Example 3.9
Example 3.10
Frequently Asked Questions About Advanced Techniques with Facts
Part 2: ARGUMENTS
Chapter 4 How to Build Arguments Based on Authorities
Example 4.1
Example 4.2
Example 4.3
Example 4.4
Example 4.5
Example 4.6
Example 4.7
Example 4.8
Frequently Asked Questions About Building Affirmative, Authority-Based Arguments
Chapter 5 Countering Your Adversary’s Arguments
Example 5.1
Example 5.2
Example 5.3
Example 5.4
Example 5.5
Example 5.6
Example 5.7
Frequently Asked Questions About Countering an Adversary’s Arguments
Chapter 6 Applying Facts in Arguments
Example 6.1
Example 6.2
Example 6.3
Example 6.4
Example 6.5
Example 6.6
Frequently Asked Questions About Applying Facts in Arguments
Chapter 7 Textual Arguments
Example 7.1
Example 7.2
Example 7.3
Example 7.4
Frequently Asked Questions About Textual Arguments
Chapter 8 Arguments Based on Legislative History
Example 8.1
Example 8.2
Example 8.3
Example 8.4
Frequently Asked Questions About Legislative History
Chapter 9 Policy Arguments
Example 9.1
Example 9.2
Example 9.3
Example 9.4
Example 9.5
Example 9.6
Frequently Asked Questions About Policy Arguments
Chapter 10 Historical Arguments
Example 10.1
Example 10.2
Example 10.3
Example 10.4
Frequently Asked Questions About Historical Arguments
Part 3: OTHER ISSUES RELATING TO BRIEFS
Chapter 11 Selecting and Organizing Arguments
Example 11.1
Example 11.2
Example 11.3
Example 11.4
Example 11.5
Example 11.6
Frequently Asked Questions About Selecting and Organizing Arguments
Chapter 12 Questions Presented
Section 12.1 Short, Neutral Questions
Section 12.2 Short, Aggressive Questions
Section 12.3 The Trend Toward Longer Questions Presented
Section 12.4 The Massive, Single-Sentence Question
Section 12.5 Multiple Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Questions Presented
Chapter 13 Introductions and Summaries of Argument
Example 13.1
Example 13.2
Example 13.3
Example 13.4
Example 13.5
Example 13.6
Frequently Asked Questions About Introductions and Summaries of Argument
Chapter 14 Motions
Example 14.1
Example 14.2
Example 14.3
Example 14.4
Example 14.5
Example 14.6
Example 14.7
Frequently Asked Questions About Motions
Chapter 15 Specific Types of Appellate Briefs
Example 15.1
Example 15.2
Example 15.3
Example 15.4
Example 15.5
Example 15.6
Frequently Asked Questions About Briefs Other Than the “Opening” Brief
Part 4: GENERAL WRITING ADVICE
Chapter 16 The Writing Side of Legal Writing
Tip 1: Write short sentences.
Tip 2: Control the number of messages per sentence.
Tip 3: Vary sentence structure.
Tip 4: Use strong topic sentences that match the contents of the paragraph.
Tip 5: Use strong verbs, especially monosyllabic verbs.
Tip 6: Use verbs instead of nominalizations.
Tip 7: Avoid passive verbs.
Tip 8: Place familiar information before unfamiliar information.
Tip 9: Place the sentence’s subject and principal verb near the beginning of the sentence.
Tip 10: Watch out for ambiguity.
Tip 11: Prune your prose.
Tip 12: Develop the confidence to break the general principles of style — completely, ruthlessly, and shockingly — if doing so will help your client win.
Frequently Asked Questions About Writing Techniques
Appendices
Appendix A Karl Llewellyn on Legal Advocacy
Appendix B Topic Sentences
Appendix C Monosyllabic Verbs
Appendix D Attribution of Examples
Index