Roy Peter Clark, is a writing coach at the Poynter Institute and the author of "Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer. On his blog he provides a "quick list" of those 50 tools. Many of these tools & tips are extremely applicable for appellate writing. Here are just a couple of tips from Clark's list:
- Order words for emphasis. Place strong words at the beginning and at the end
- Take it easy on the -ings. Prefer the simple present or past
- Prefer the simple over the technical. Use shorter words, sentences and paragraphs at points of complexity.
- Tune your voice. Read drafts aloud.
- Put odd and interesting things next to each other. Help the reader learn from contrast.
- Turn procrastination into rehearsal. Plan and write it first in your head.
- Break long projects into parts. Then assemble the pieces into something whole.
