Clear & Convincing: Modern Legal Writing

Clear & Convincing: Modern Legal Writing

Publication Date

2-2026

Abstract

The authors' building-block approach introduces legal writing skills in stages, beginning with foundational concepts and progressing to more complex forms of analysis and advocacy in both objective and persuasive legal writing. A modular organization of topics by chapter offers optimal versatility for teaching and course design. The comprehensive coverage in Clear and Convincing: Modern Legal Writing extends to legal research strategies, grammar, editing, oral argument, and professional development. Numerous examples and writing samples illustrate legal writing. Exercises throughout develop students' skills. Integrated coverage of digital research and generative AI in legal writing and practice prepares students to use these tools responsibly and ethically.

ISBN

9798892070942

Table of Contents

Part One. Building a Legal Writing Foundation Chapter 1 The United States Legal System Chapter 2 Legal Authority/Sources of Law Chapter 3 Working with the Law: Rule Structures and Statutes Chapter 4 Working with the Law: Cases and Types of Legal Reasoning Chapter 5 Citation Chapter 6 Legal Research Chapter 7 Strategies for Writing Success Chapter 8 Outsmarting Artificial Intelligence Part Two. Objective Writing Chapter 9 The Office Memorandum: Audience, Purpose, Overview, Heading, Question Presented, Brief Answer Chapter 10 The Office Memorandum: Facts Section Chapter 11 The Office Memorandum: Discussion — Umbrella Sections Chapter 12 The Office Memorandum: CREAC and Point Headings (First C of CREAC) Chapter 13 The Office Memorandum: Stating the Rule (R of CREAC) Chapter 14 The Office Memorandum: Rule Explanation (E of CREAC) Chapter 15 The Office Memorandum: Rule Application (A of CREAC) and Conclusion (Second C of CREAC) Chapter 16 The Office Memorandum: Conclusion Section and Other Office Memo Pointers Chapter 17 Professional Correspondence: Letters, Emails, and Text Messages Part Three. Persuasive Writing Chapter 18 The Basics of Written Advocacy Chapter 19 Characterizing Facts Persuasively Chapter 20 Writing a Persuasive CREAC Chapter 21 Trial Court Motions Chapter 22 Trial Court Briefs Chapter 23 Appellate Briefs Part Four. Introduction to Oral Argument Chapter 24 Rules of Effective Public Speaking Chapter 25 The Players, Setting, Costumes, and Stage Direction Chapter 26 The Script, Rehearsal, and Director’s Notes Chapter 27 Before the Bench — How to Treat Judges and Answer Questions Chapter 28 Virtual Oral Arguments Beyond the Book: Supplemental Online Content * Part Five. Writing Mechanics Chapter 29 Grammar for Legal Writers Chapter 30 Punctuation Chapter 31 Editing and Proofreading Part Six. Leave ‘Em Wanting More — Next Steps Chapter 32 Writing Samples, Cover Letters, and Resumes Chapter 33 Law School Exams Chapter 34 Getting the Most from Your Summer Work Experience

Publisher

Aspen Publishing

Series

Aspen Coursebook Series

Clear & Convincing: Modern Legal Writing

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