Thinking Like a Writer: A Lawyer's Guide to Effective Writing and Editing 3rd Edition

My favorite book on legal writing and editing. This book tells you what your English composition teacher didn’t have the courage to tell you: your reader doesn’t care how smart you are. The reader, especially the judicial reader, wants you to tell her what she needs to know to decide the case in your favor. To do just that, you’ll need to commit this to memory: omit unnecessary words (a gospel Bill Trunk has preached about 90 years ago, but still needs to be heard).

I’ve never felt that I was an effective writer. I’m using this book to help me become better at written communication because I think it’s important to improve communication even if my law school experience kinda ended in a dumpster fire. I should probably disclose that I attended Professor Terrell’s classes while at law school. The way he explains the mechanics of clear thinking and clear writing just makes sense to me so I’m going with what I know is a good method.

If you're going to be a lawyer who writes, this is an exceptional book to have. Happily attended a few classes taught by co-author Stephen Terrell, from NYU's program for appellate judges, to a couple sponsored by our court, and have come away knowing more about good writing every time. I have bought a copy for every law clerk who worked for me, and every one has found it useful.The biggest problem is reading the book when you have other stuff to do--like your job that involves writing. How to take the time to go through it before you're in the middle of the writing project you needed the lessons in this book to do well? Work it out. Get Terrell to come teach where you are--he's a great teacher.But get the book. Have Gardner stuff too, and like it less.

This is a great book on legal writing in plain English. And the exercises inside are very helpful. But the book is extraordinarily long. It is also oversized. And I mean really(!) big. Nonetheless, I'm glad I read it as a 1L.

I bought this book on the advice of a young practicing attorney and it is truly a book that makes legal writing easier. It breaks down the essentials that one should keep in mind when doing any kind of writing and creates a framework for legal organization and relevance. The language used is clear and precise and I prefer the familiar tone of voice the authors use instead of the strict and formal voice employed by many other legal writing references.

An essential (IMO) guide to legal writing. Fabulous book.

Highly recommend to improve writing.

This is a brilliant book. Essential for all lawyers, students, etc. Simply the best law book I've ever gotten. My grades have gone up so much because of this