Title

Three Tips for Concise Writing

Authors

Tenielle Fordyce-Ruff, Concordia University School of LawFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-2017

Abstract

I'm just wrapping up the first unit of my legal writing class. During this time every year, I introduce my students to the 4 C's-four characteristics that should be present in every legal document.' Yes, every legal document should be clear, correct, complete, and concise.

In our class, we emphasize these principles repeatedly. All legal writers should strive to attain the 4 C's. To that end, this month I offer some tips for concision. After all, I don't know anyone who isn't a little too wordy in the first draft.

Let's look at three tips to remove wordiness that I have not previously covered: using possessives, omitting redundancy, and removing ostentatious, abstruse, and infrequently used words. [excerpt]

CU Commons Citation

Tenielle Fordyce-Ruff, Three Tips for Concise Writing, Advocate, Oct. 2017, at 56.