Dear Legal Writer: 5 Hacks to Shorten Your Sentences

Dear 1L Writer, Use these 5 hacks to shorten your memos to fit your page limit (without cutting substance).

🔷 1: Convert sentences to active voice.

Eg
“The boy hit the ball.”

—is shorter than—

❌ “The ball was hit by the boy.”

🔷 2: Convert noun clauses into single verbs.

Eg
make arrangement for –> arrange

provide a description of –> describe

🔷 3: Convert “of the” clauses into shorter possessives.

Eg
the qualities of a person –> the person’s qualities

the reasoning of the court –> the court’s reasoning

🔷 4: Remove adverbs.

Worst offenders = very, clearly, and plainly.

🔷 5: Avoid starting sentences with “It is,” or “There are.”

Eg

“There are three factors that courts consider. They are: _”

—is longer than—

“Three factors the court considers are __”
_____

BONUS: The above will also make your writing better!

📬 What hacks would you add?

Fondly,

💌 Amanda