Why Legal Writers Should Think Like Teachers
Webb*, Laura A.
Journal of Legal Education 67, no. 1 (2017): 315-337
https://www.jstor.org/stable/26453546
* Professor at University of Richmond
“Professors, whether doctrinal-, clinical-, or skills-focused, are frequently asked to provide writing advice to students and recent graduates. And we do, doling out both specific edits and general advice: Create clearer structure! Write short sentences! Provide road maps!
But did you ever wonder why these tips lead to better writing, or how to help your students remember and understand why they should use them? Here’s what I tell my students: Legal writing is fundamentally educative. To be a better writer, you must be a better teacher. To be a better teacher, you must understand the cognitive science behind how your reader learns: how the brain absorbs, accesses, and analyzes information. Then, you can use that science to guide your writing: Teach your reader. This approach helps students see why writing advice makes sense and remember how to follow it.
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