Become a better writer by reading the new book aptly named – Become a Better Writer. It is written by Donald Powers and Greg Rosenberg from Clarity Global. I’ve just read it and I think it delivers on its promise by explaining how to write with clarity and simplicity. The book itself is well written and reaches its audience with a logical structure, practical examples and a quick reference index. I’ll keep it on my desk and refer to it often.
I’ve been striving to become a better writer for about 15 years since I discovered plain legal language and simplicity. Reading this book reminds me that my journey is far from finished. But I suppose there is no final destination – we can all be better writers than we were yesterday. For example, ironically this book review could be better.
The law should be accessible, empowering and helpful
My mission is to make the law accessible, empowering and helpful and that’s only possible if people can understand it. I’m pleased the authors acknowledge Michalsons for their assistance regards plain language and the law. The law is currently overly complex and inaccessible and too often gatekeepers charge significant fees for access. The law really should be accessible to all – how can it achieve its objectives without people being able to understand it?
Encouragingly, laws and courts around the world are actually requiring writers to use plain language. For example, in the context of consumer and data protection, and company law.
Every lawyer should become a better writer
One of our missions is to encourage lawyers to embrace plain legal language and legal design. All lawyers are writers and often highly paid writers. But they are often also poor writers who use legalese, jargon, complex language, long sentences and Latin. This book will help lawyers break their bad habits and teach them the principles of clear writing. Lawyers need to persuade people all the time and this book will help them make their writing persuasive. Lawyers will find the sections of ‘Words in action’ regards opinion pieces, summaries and presentations especially useful. Most of the book is also very useful for drafting legal documents (like contracts).
This book will help you become a better writer
Buy the Become a Better Writer book
You can find out where to buy it on the Clarity Global website. In my oversight role at Michalsons, I often edit other people’s writing. I often also convert documents into plain language. I bought three copies because I know a few people who definitely need them. I plan to hand them out liberally.
