§ 45. For a long document, make a table of contents.
Exercises
Basic
In a contractual formbook, find a 10- to 20-page contract that has no table of contents. Make one for it. If you're part of a writing group or class, bring a copy of your table for each colleague. Be prepared to discuss whether your outline would result in any major edits--especially edits that might cause the drafter to reorganize the document.
Intermediate
Find a state statute or regulation (10-25 pages) that has no table of contents. Make one for it. If you're part of a writing group or class, bring a copy of your table for each colleague. Be prepared to discuss whether your outline would result in any major edits--especially edits that might cause the drafter to reorganize the document.
Advanced
Find a brief, an IPO prospectus, or an asset-purchase agreement that has a table of contents. Photocopy it, and then compare it with the relevant example in this section. Write a two- or three-paragraph essay comparing and contrasting the two. If you're part of a writing group or class, bring a copy of your essay for each colleague, along with the table of contents you found.
© 2001, Bryan A. Garner
These exercises appear in Bryan A. Garner's Legal Writing in Plain English: A Text with Exercises, published by The University of Chicago Press and available at bookstores and on the Web at www.press.uchicago.edu.