§ 50. Remember that good writing makes the reader's job easy; bad writing makes it hard.

Exercises

Basic

Find a published judicial opinion that, in its opening paragraph, makes you feel stupid. Analyze why this is so. If you're part of a writing group or class, bring a copy for each colleague and be prepared to discuss your example.

Intermediate

Find a published judicial opinion that, in its opening paragraph, makes you feel smart. Analyze why this is so. If you're part of a writing group or class, bring a copy for each colleague and be prepared to discuss your example.

Advanced

Find a brief that, in its first few pages, makes you feel stupid. Rewrite the opener so that it would be immediately comprehensible to a generalist reader. If you're part of a writing group or class, bring a copy of your before-and-after versions for each colleague.

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