Plain Language for Lawyers

This book is a must-have for anyone whose livelihood depends upon human communication. While directed specifically towards lawyers, the volume's pertinence extends to a much wider audience, including professors, doctors, corporate executives and students, just to name a few. ... Asprey arranges the book into 18 short, accessible chapters, cleverly anticipating readers' common questions and concerns and ultimately proving that she knows her audience well, making a seemingly tough sell with ease, style and finesse. - Trade Practices Law Journal, Vol 11, December 2003 Some books get better with age - like old wine. Each new edition bring the better out of the author, aims more dirctly at the reader, and hits bull's eye. This is one of them. ... This new revision has some great additions, especially chapters on plain language around the world, writing email and for the internet, and designing documents for the computer screen. The initial three chapters convince you of the need to use plain language; after all, legalese is certainly undignified. Clear and precise language, organization, design and layout are important. The fundamentals follow - consider your reader, eschew pomposity, plan first, put the most important part of your document first, ignore future tense for your benefit, be flexible. Two wonderful chapters discuss legal affectations and problem words (and, and/or, shall). And do not miss the plain language vocabulary - it meets your needs. ... A detailed index and links to further research (in footnotes that do not daunt the eye) are other hallmarks. Have you bought the title yet? - Global Law Review, 21 January 2004 Michele Asprey takes her readers by the hand and leads them gently through the evidence supporting the need to write in terms that the intended reader can understand. Her tone is persuasive and her points are made in a relaxed way supported by extensive references to research, case law and relevant websites. ... There is an extensive plain language vocabulary list. I was particularly intrigued by the discussion linking plain language writing to legal interpretation. Plain Language for Lawyers is the book you need on hand when faced with arguments about using must in prefernce to shall , or the need to avoid and/or , and other hoary chestnuts of drafting. These and similar problems are covered in the chapter Little words: big problems. I could have done with this book for Asprey's wisdom earlier this year. ... Asprey gives frequent examples of complex writing and then the plainer version, and she always provides evidence to support her point of view. ... [her book] is an invaluable resource with which to persuade colleagues to give up bad writing habits. The book belongs in the library of anyone wishing to communicate more clearly in writing - not just lawyers! - Law Institute Journal (Victoria), Vol 77(11), November 2003 Here is a most effective guide to all aspects of clear expession. - Ethos (Law Society of the ACT), December 2003 This book is a must-have for anyone whose livelihood depends upon human communication. While directed specifically towards lawyers, the volume's pertinence extends to a much wider audience, including professors, doctors, corporate executives and students, just to name a few. ... Asprey arranges the book into 18 short, accessible chapters, cleverly anticipating readers' common questions and concerns and ultimately proving that she knows her audience well, making a seemingly tough sell with ease, style and finesse. - Trade Practices Law Journal, Vol 11, December 2003