Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing – Flashcards

A statement in which the actor (the subject) performs some action or describes a state of being (the predicate).

Composed of the verb and object of the verb, such as a direct object

Have a SUBJECT and a PREDICATE.

Requires a NOUN and VERB

Keep as close as possible

THERE IS NO RULE!!! RECOMMENDATION ONLY: 15 to 25

Which one is prefered "active" or "passive" voice?

The SUBJECT of the sentence is the ACTOR.

The SUBJECT of the sentence is ACTED UPON.

Select verbs that are active instead of verbs that show a state of being or are passive.

Connects sentences and serves to establish the relationship between the subject of the sentences.

however, even so, but, clearly, finally, in contrast, etc.

a group of sentences that address the same topic

TOPIC, BODY, CLOSING SENTENCE

Identifies the subject of the paragraph

the SUBJECT & PROVIDES the focus of the paragraph for the reader.

Where is the topic usually placed

Cosists of a sentence or sentences, that support or develop the subject, introduced by the topic sentence.

Should summarize the topic addressed in the body or apply the subject discussed to the facts of the case.

words, phrases, or sentences are required to connnect the SUBJECTS discussed in the different paragraphs.

THERE IS NO RULE; However usually 3 to 6sentences; paragraph topics can be covered to 6 to 7 sentences

a group of related words used to convey information.

a noun crated from a verb

terms of art used in the legal profession that are not generally known outside the profession.

words or phrases frequently used in the past that are being phased out of legal writing.

any form of writing, use of gender-specific language is prejudicial and inappropriate unless it refers to a specific person and the gender is known

To render sentence in gender neutral

when you intend to refer to one sex

a verb meanig "to influence"

to briing about or cause;

Effect (noun)

is used in regard to a list of words, all the items listed are included and required.

all the items listed are not required to be included. Any one or all of the items are included

An INTRANSIVE verb that means "to rest or recline."

Verb that does not take a direct object

a transitve verb that means "to put or place"

takes a direct object

used to impose a duty that is mandatory

indicates that the performance of an act is not mandatory

used to introduce restrictive clauses

used to inroduce nonrestrictice clauses

A clause that is not nessary to the meaning of the sentence.

a clause that is not necessary to the meaning of the sentence; can be set off from the rest of the sentence w/o changing the meaning of the sentence

govern the construction of sentences

Should agree in PERSON & NUMBER

pronouns that do not refer to a specific person or thing. such as anyone, everybody, nobody, etc.

a noun that refers to a group

refers to another noun in the sentence. which, who, and that.

The noun to a relative pronoun

the time in which a verb's action occurs

when presenting your POSITION or LEGAL ANALYSIS

When addressing a COURT OPINION that has already been decided

when discussing a LAW or RULE still in effect

Means that in sentences that include (a list, a group of activities, and so on,) each of the items must use the SAME grammatical form, that is, [[all the items or members of the group should agree in verb tense, number, and so on.]]

avoid the use of verb constructions that are unnecessarily wordy

word or phrases that provide descriptions of the subject, verb, or object in a sentence

Misplaced, dangling, and squinting, and split infinitives.

a word or phrase that is placed in the wrong location in a sentence.

does not modify any other part of the sentence

A modifier located in a position in the sentence that makes it unclear whether, it modifies the word that precedes it OR the word that follows it.

a verb form that functions as a noun or as an auxiliary verb, such as TO ARGUE, TO UNDERSTAND, and TO CONSIDER.

Designed to make writing clear and easy to understand.

used to separate the parts of a sentence so that the meanig is clear

one that could stand alone as a complete sentence

use when you want to introduce or call attention to information that follows, such as lists, conclusions, explanations, and quatations

is used to separate major elements of complex sentences OR items in a series if the items are too long or if one of the items has internal commas

serves to indicate possesion OR to form a contraction

use to identify and set off quoted material

quotations of 50+ words

is used to indicate the omission of part fo a quotation

to show changes in or add information to quotations, OR to indicate an error in the original quotation

used to add additional information to the sentence that is outside the main idea of the sentence or of lesser importance

is required to form compound modifiers and compound nouns

often referred to as the em dash or long dash. used to EMPHASIZE someting; to SET OFF LIST or briefly summarize materials containging commas; to SHOW an abrupt change of thought or direction.

not frequently used in legal writing but may be used to SEPERATE one option form another, when writing DATES, SEPARATE LINE BREAKS in poetry.