Clarity and Precision in Writing Flashcards

Which revision best eliminates the ambiguity in: 'The attorney told his client he needed to prepare for trial.'?

Answer: The attorney said, 'You need to prepare for trial,' to his client.

Using direct speech removes the ambiguity over whose trial preparation is required.

A sentence contains a 'dangling modifier.' What is the primary problem this creates?

Answer: The modifier logically describes a word not actually present in the sentence.

A dangling modifier has no logical subject in the sentence to attach to, creating confusion about what is being described.

Which of the following is an example of a 'false precision' error in legal writing?

Answer: The defendant arrived at approximately 9:00 a.m.

Saying 'approximately 9:00 a.m.' combines an approximation qualifier with a precise time, which is contradictory.

In the sentence 'The new law impacts businesses that are small,' what is the main clarity problem?

Answer: The adjective 'small' is placed in an unnatural position, creating awkwardness.

Placing 'small' after 'businesses' as a predicate adjective rather than before it as an attributive adjective ('small businesses') is awkward and less clear.

Which sentence uses the word 'including' most precisely in a legal context?

Answer: The penalty includes, but is not limited to, fines and imprisonment.

'Including, but not limited to' signals that the list is non-exhaustive, which is the standard precise formulation in legal writing.

What does it mean for a legal argument to 'beg the question'?

Answer: It assumes as true the very point it is trying to prove.

Begging the question (petitio principii) is a logical fallacy where the conclusion is assumed within the premise.

Which revision most improves the precision of: 'The contract was for a significant amount of money'?

Answer: The contract was for $250,000.

Replacing vague quantifiers with a specific dollar figure eliminates subjective interpretation.