Write for your reader

Your reader relies on you to explain their legal questions expertly. But if your reader can’t understand your information on first reading, you have wasted your time. And theirs.

One easy way to meet your reader’s or client’s needs is to think about who they are. In a letter to one client, you can easily picture your reader and answer these questions: 

·      What do they want to know first? 

·      Will they understand legal terms? 

·      Are they anxious about your letter? (Hint: Yes!) 

Whatever you write, your reader is not you: 

·      They (likely) haven’t been to law school. 

·      They might not read much for their job; most people don’t.

·      They have full lives outside of their transaction with you.

Go the extra metre to help them and yourself:

·      Give them only the information they need. 

·      Give your ideas in the order in which they would ask questions if they will in your office. 

·      Break up your sentences into shorter sentences. Express only one idea in each sentence. 

·      Use ordinary language. 

·      If you must use legal terms, explain them.

You readers will find you more likeable, more trustworthy, and smarter. 

Your reader might a client, but they might be a judge or another lawyer. Everyone wants to read writing that gets them from Point A to Point B quickly.

So give your readers what they need.