Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 4 of 4
Full-Text Articles in Legal Writing and Research
When Flyspecks Matter—Part Ii, K.K. Duvivier
When Flyspecks Matter—Part Ii, K.K. Duvivier
Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship
Most of my columns advise legal writers; this one also aims to change the perspective of a legal reader. The September 2004 column addressed some of the issues raised by a British best- seller on punctuation called Eats, Shoots & Leaves. The author, Lynne Truss, attempts to make a case for "sticklers" who "refuse to patronize any shop with checkouts for 'eight items or less'" or who have urges to "shin up ladders at dead of night with an apostrophe-shaped stencil and a tin of paint" to correct advertisements. To her, punctuation errors are "signs of ignorance and indifference."
When Flyspecks Matter—Part I, K.K. Duvivier
When Flyspecks Matter—Part I, K.K. Duvivier
Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship
Thus, instead of reinforcing the author's premise, the panda story may illustrate the weakness of assertions that most punctuation significantly controls meaning.
The Dash-“A Hasty Stroke Of The Pen”, K.K. Duvivier
The Dash-“A Hasty Stroke Of The Pen”, K.K. Duvivier
Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship
The dash is one of the most versatile punctuation marks. However, its very versatility makes it a mark to use with care. First, the dash should be distinguished from the hyphen. Al- though these two punctuation marks look similar, they differ both in form and function. In form, the dash is more elongated and does not appear as a separate symbol on most keyboards.
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.