Dear 1L: Tips for Introductions
Dear 1L,
Here are some tips for the Introduction to your brief.
✏️ To BEGIN
Remember that your Reader is busy—think tiny attention span. Grab their attention and get to the point.
Your Reader seeks information. That can’t happen if they’re confused. Above all else, strive for clarity. Best are short, crisp sentences in an active voice.
To start, you need just 2-3 sentences to identify parties and set the stage. Don’t waste time trying to invent a show-stopper. Just start simply.
“The value of these [introductory] words depends on clarity. If readers do not quickly understand the context and the issue, they will struggle even more as they plunge into the document.”
—Hon. Robert E. Bacharach, Legal Writing 1 (2020).
“Judges crave an immediate sense of overview. At the beginning of a brief, … [t]hey want to know what kind of case this is and what issues the brief addresses.”
—Hon. Ruggero J. Aldisert, Winning on Appeal: Better Briefs and Oral Argument 182 (1992) (quoted in Brian A. Garner, The Winning Brief 132 (3d ed. 2014)).
✏️ IN THE MIDDLE
Next, draw your Reader in. Whet the Reader’s appetite for what is to come, using only the facts that matter most.
Be surgical and precise in word choice. Mean what you intend, no more, no less.
Then briefly synthesize the guiding legal principles, and follow with a succinct, logical synopsis of the arguments you will make.
✏️ TO END
Bring the synopsis to its logical conclusion: say what the court should do and why. Here are some examples of final Intro sentences.
🔹 Ex. “Because P has presented insufficient evidence on which a reasonable jury could find in her favor, the Court should award summary judgment to D.”
🔹 Ex. “The Court should not disturb the district court’s discretionary ruling to exclude the evidence, because the ruling stems from reasoned analysis, and any error would nevertheless be harmless.”
🔹 Ex. “Because P has established all elements of her claim as a matter of law, the Court should grant her motion for summary judgment.”
🔹 Ex. “This Court should affirm the dismissal of P’s claims because the trial court correctly concluded that P had stated no cognizable claim.”
* * *
“[A] good thesis tends to argue itself because it has a built-in forward thrust.” John R. Trimble, Writing with Style 24 (3d ed. 2011) (Garner, supra, at 133).
* * *
Your Intro is important. Yes, save until the end to write, but never make it an afterthought. It is like your elevator pitch or college admissions essay. Every word counts.
Good luck to you. I’m sending you waves of inspiration and writing-flow mojo.
Fondly,
Amanda
P.S. I am always open to questions. What about the writing process challenges you? How can I help in a post? I will answer all DMs and comments—please don’t hesitate.
P.P.S. Follow —> #Dear1L to receive future letters.
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