Dear Legal Writer, Before you hand in that draft, try doing this:

2024Legal Writing
Written By Amanda Haverstick

Read it aloud.

Not to yourself.
Not in your mind.
I mean out loud—
loud and with conviction.

Here’s what I predict:

You’ll stumble. Certain sentences will make you pause, back track, clear your throat, need a “take 2,” whatever.

It won’t be smooth. And it won’t be persuasive.

PLEASE, don’t chalk it up to your speech agility. Instead, take note and fix.

✏️ Writing that is clunky to speak = Writing that is clunky to read.

So, take the time to refine those sentences.

Your reader will thank you.

💌 Amanda

#DearLegalWriter

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Amanda Haverstick
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