A Brief Guide to Brief Writing is the third in a series of practice guides by experienced litigator Janet Kole. Covering topics that include ethical principles, lower court/appellate court distinctions, and JDAs, the author’s honest and direct guidelines will help shape the brief writing of both veteran and new attorneys. Finally, her lively instructions on the craft of writing are summarized in seven Persuasive Writing Rules of Thumb:

• Grab the reader with your best, most equitable reason for why your client should win
• Use acceptable but informal formal language
• Use plain jargon-free language
• Use metaphors, allegory, and shorthand phrases very sparingly
• Keep your sentences and paragraphs short
• Use the active voice where possible
• Show the court that your story is the best; don’t tell the court that it is

This book can utilized as an outline or a refresher for any type of brief that must be written, whether it’s a main brief or reply brief, and whether it’s before a lower court or appellate court.