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31 I L T A N E T . O R G Understand Your Audience Understanding your readers is the cornerstone of all effective writing. In legal tech, your audience can vary widely - from tech-savvy lawyers to judges with limited technical knowledge, from IT professionals to clients. Ask yourself: Who am I writing for? What's their level of technical and legal expertise? What do they need to know? You might need to explain technical concepts in plain language when writing for lawyers. When writing for IT professionals, you may need to clarify legal terms. Tailor written content to your audience to ensure your message is understood—and acted upon. Embrace Clarity and Simplicity The legal and tech worlds are known for their jargon and complex concepts. As a legal technologist, your job is to bridge these worlds, not to create another layer of complexity. While legal and technical jargon have their place, overusing it can obscure your message. Strive for clarity and simplicity in your writing. Use plain language whenever possible. If you must use technical or legal terms, explain them clearly. Break down complex ideas into simpler components. Remember, your goal is to illuminate, not to impress with your vocabulary. Use analogies or real-world examples to illustrate technical points. For instance, explain data encryption by comparing it to sending a secret message in a locked box – only someone with the right key can open it and read the contents. Structure Writing Logically Readers often scan documents before deciding to read in-depth. A well- structured document guides your reader through your thoughts and arguments. Start with an outline to organize your ideas. Use headings and subheadings to break up your text and make it easier to navigate. This helps readers navigate your document and find the information they need quickly. Consider using the IRAC method (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion) commonly used in legal writing, or the Problem-Solution format often used in technical writing. These structures can help authors present information in a logical, easy-to-follow manner. Bullets and numbered lists present information concisely. Short paragraphs improve readability, especially on digital devices. Aim for three to four sentences in paragraphs and vary your paragraph length to maintain reader interest. Do not crowd your page with text. Leave margins and space between paragraphs to give your readers' eyes a break and make your document less intimidating. Be Concise Less is often more. Respect your readers' time by being concise. Cut unnecessary words, avoid redundancies, and get to the point quickly to make your writing more impactful. Replace wordy phrases with simpler alternatives: • "Due to the fact that" → "because" • "In the event that" → "if" • "At this point in time" → "now" • "Has the capability to" → "can" 1 FEATURES 2 3 4

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