A good legal writer should use every linguistic tool they have at their disposal. One of the most effective ones is linguistic mirroring. Research shows that using language tailored to the listener or reader can help the writer persuade him or her.
https://hbr.org/2020/12/want-to-win-someone-over-talk-like-they-do
As Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) continues to improve and learns how to perform more human functions it continues to expand the tasks it can perform in place of humans. The newest additions, writing poetry and blog posts.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/24/science/artificial-intelligence-ai-gpt3.html?smid=em-share
As technology continues to change how we communicate and go about our daily lives the law and policies will change also. However, in areas of the law and court system that lag behind attorneys must be aware that their practice must comply with the current guidelines or they could face serious consequences.
Here, on The Legal Writer’s Toolkit we strive to provide examples of ideal legal writing that we should all be striving for. However, sometimes an example of how not to write can be just as effective.
The writer in this article perfectly represents what legal writing should not be.
Caution to readers this article contains strong language.
Mercer University School of Law recently announced that they will hold their 8th annual Applied Legal Storytelling Conference in July of 2021. Applicants can submit proposals for the conference at the link below.
https://www.lwionline.org/conferences/eighth-applied-legal-storytelling-conference
An entire museum dedicated to language and its many uses has recently opened in Washington D.C. Guests can celebrate and interact with language in different forms throughout this multi-exhibit museum.
The use of gender neutral language in American English has been on the radar of many writing scholars over the past several years. It is important to note that the calls for gender neutral language are affecting other languages also, sometimes with significant consequences.
The Hedgehogs and Foxes, a Society devoted to the interdisciplinary study of law out of Louisiana State University has recently issued a call for Haiku submissions.
A Haiku is a three line poem with the first and last lines containing 5 words and the middle phrase containing seven words. Hedgehogs and Foxes will accept submissions through midnight on October 15th and will publish the selected submissions on November 1st.
All submission should be sent to ccorcos@lsu.edu. For more information on the mission of the Hedgehogs and Foxes please visit
https://hedgehogsandfoxes.org/.
In honor of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, this article focuses on the origin of her love for legal writing. Vladimir Nabokov occupied the role of teacher at Wellesley and Cornell for over twenty years. As his pupil, Ruth Bader Ginsburg fell in love with the sound of words and the importance of order.
http://www.openculture.com/2016/11/when-vladimir-nabokov-taught-to-care-deeply-about-writing.html
The potential for the use of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) has affected almost every modern industry. However, it seemed for some time that the sophisticated prose required of lawyers would prevent A.I. from replacing human attorneys, but recent updates in technology show that the use of AI in legal writing may not be far over the horizon.
