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Full-Text Articles in Legal Writing and Research
The Common Comma: Part Ii, K.K. Duvivier
The Common Comma: Part Ii, K.K. Duvivier
Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship
This column shows how a comma, or the lack of one, can significantly change your meaning. It also addresses several comma issues raised by readers, but not fully resolved by my previous column on commas.
The Common Comma: Part I, K.K. Duvivier
The Common Comma: Part I, K.K. Duvivier
Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship
The comma is the most frequently used punctuation mark. Unfortunately, the comma is also the most frequently misused mark.
The Period And Its Pals, K.K. Duvivier
The Period And Its Pals, K.K. Duvivier
Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship
Judges are more likely to rule against you if they cannot understand your points and if your arguments do not seem well-reasoned. In contrast, punctuation errors may be irritating, but they will rarely, if ever, cause you to lose the case.
A Wise Passiveness, K.K. Duvivier
A Wise Passiveness, K.K. Duvivier
Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship
"[W]e can feed this mind of ours In a wise passiveness" "Expostulation & Reply" by William Wordsworth As a general rule, our writing can be more forceful and concise if we search for the passive voice and eliminate it. However, the avoid-the-passive rule sometimes is taken to extremes. This article addresses five ways to use the passive voice as a positive communication tool.
Problems With The Passive Voice, K.K. Duvivier
Problems With The Passive Voice, K.K. Duvivier
Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship
Some of us recall when our grammar teachers admon- ished against using the passive voice. However, voice is a stylistic choice, not a rule of grammar. This column explains why the active voice generally is preferred. The next column will discuss when the passive voice may be the better choice (to be published in the May issue of The Colorado Lawyer). Once we understand the passive, we can make more informed decisions about its use.
Proper Words In Proper Places, K.K. Duvivier
Proper Words In Proper Places, K.K. Duvivier
Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship
Most experts agree that written communication is achieved through a combination of word choice and word placement.' Although, word placement within a sentence has long been recognized as significant, word choice often is considered the predominant vehicle for communication. Some recent commentators, however, contend that reader expectations about word placement play a dominant role in communication. This column addresses how to enhance communication by placing words that you want to emphasize at the end of your sentences.