The quarterly publication of the International Legal Technology Association
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/43128
BEST PRACTICES FEEDBACK Just as the great speaker watches the audience and makes adjustments to content and tone on the fly, a great writer respects the feedback of a great editor. I don't have language that is sufficiently effusive to describe my love of a good editor. Let's not mistake proofreading for editing — the former is all about catching errors (and that's important!), the latter is about moving from good to great. The editor is the "ear" that will hear a change in voice; the editor is the "eye" that will detect movement in the wrong direction; the editor is the "nose" to sniff out stinky writing; the editor is the best reader you'll ever hope to have. IN ALL ERNESTY All my life I've looked at words as though I were seeing them for the first time. —Ernest Hemingway We began with a nod to Ernest Hemingway, so it's only fitting that we close with a salute to "Papa." When he was a cub reporter at the Kansas City Star, Hemingway was handed a style sheet that he later declared "the best rules I ever learned for the business of writing." Those four rules were: • Use short sentences. Hemingway is noted for his minimalism — his economy of words. It has been said that Hemingway "wrote with simple genius." A brilliant demonstration of his style is revealed in his six-word story: "For sale: baby shoes, never used." • Use short first paragraphs. 'Nuff said. • Use vigorous English. It's all about word choice and conveying an idea with real passion. To quote David Garfinkel's post on his World Copywriting Blog, "Vigorous English is more than the active voice. It's muscular, forceful. Vigorous English comes from passion, focus and intention. It's the difference between putting in a good effort and TRYING to move a boulder…and actually sweating, grunting, straining your muscles to the point of exhaustion…and MOVING the freaking thing!" • Be positive, not negative. It's easy enough to state what something is rather than what something isn't; but be careful with word choices, as you might be conveying a more negative connotation than you expected. For example, in describing a medical procedure as "painless," your intent is to convey a positive tone. But the reader's eye will be drawn to the word "pain," and that's where the 20 www.iltanet.org Peer to Peer focus is inadvertently shifted. More positive word choices might include "comfortable" or "quick and easy." I'M POSITIVE! Even if you don't achieve the acclaim (not to mention the Nobel Prize for Literature) that Hemingway did, you can continually strive to improve your written communication. In so doing, you'll continually improve yourself as a professional. Write on! ILTA Randi Mayes is the Executive Director of ILTA and is responsible for oversight of all operational aspects of the professional association. Prior to her employment with ILTA, Randi held technology management positions in law firms in Austin, Texas and served in volunteer leadership roles within ILTA. A member of the American Society of Association Executives and the Texas Society of Association Executives, she has spoken and written on topics related to leadership development and association management. She can be reached at randi@iltanet.org. Is discovery straining your very last nerve? LEXBE ONLINE is a web-based document management/review tool that makes even the most complex, document- intensive litigation a breeze to handle. v Lightning-fast document review. Powerful search; flexible coding; Bates stamping; auto production/privilege logs. v Up-and-running in minutes. Simple user interface; easy to learn and use; free training and support. v Secure, multiple-level access. SAS70 audited; encrypted case materials; continuously monitored; easy remote access. v 'Cloud' convenience and economy. Always-available service means no hardware, software or personnel investment; no long-term contracts. v Latest technology. Level the litigation playing field with the tools you need to handle today's cases. LITIGATION UNLEASHED for a free trial or demo see LastStrand.lexbe.com