Write more, read more. Keep in mind that folks have individual styles and so, what one partner believes is great writing may not be to the preference of another. Don't be disheartened. That being said, some general pointers that I find tend to improve drafts:
- Plain English over legal eccentricities (no "hereinafter", "wherefore" etc.). This doesn't include terms of art which need to be used as they are.
- Avoid using multiple words where you can use one ("if" instead of "in the event of")
- Simple past and active voice where possible ("we discussed" instead of "it was discussed by us that")
- Spend some time organising the flow of your argument before you begin drafting. I often work with my team to set out a structure before they begin the draft, so it holds together better. You should ideally ask for guidance on this if you can.
- Use sub-headings where you can to delineate different sections of your argument. Clarity is as important an ideal to chase, as accuracy.
The best advice I got is below. It is taken from a blog by Dilbert:
The Day You Became A Better Writer
I went from being a bad writer to a good writer after taking a one-day course in “business writing.” I couldn’t believe how simple it was. I’ll tell you the main tricks here so you don’t have to waste a day in class.
Business writing is about clarity and persuasion. The main technique is keeping things simple. Simple writing is persuasive. A good argument in five sentences will sway more people than a brilliant argument in a hundred sentences. Don’t fight it.
Simple means getting rid of extra words. Don’t write, “He was very happy” when you can write “He was happy.” You think the word “very” adds something. It doesn’t. Prune your sentences.
Humor writing is a lot like business writing. It needs to be simple. The main difference is in the choice of words. For humor, don’t say “drink” when you can say “swill.”
Your first sentence needs to grab the reader. Go back and read my first sentence to this post. I rewrote it a dozen times. It makes you curious. That’s the key.
Write short sentences. Avoid putting multiple thoughts in one sentence. Readers aren’t as smart as you’d think.
Learn how brains organize ideas. Readers comprehend “the boy hit the ball” quicker than “the ball was hit by the boy.” Both sentences mean the same, but it’s easier to imagine the object (the boy) before the action (the hitting). All brains work that way. (Notice I didn’t say, “That is the way all brains work”?)
That’s it. You just learned 80% of the rules of good writing. You’re welcome.
- Plain English over legal eccentricities (no "hereinafter", "wherefore" etc.). This doesn't include terms of art which need to be used as they are.
- Avoid using multiple words where you can use one ("if" instead of "in the event of")
- Simple past and active voice where possible ("we discussed" instead of "it was discussed by us that")
- Spend some time organising the flow of your argument before you begin drafting. I often work with my team to set out a structure before they begin the draft, so it holds together better. You should ideally ask for guidance on this if you can.
- Use sub-headings where you can to delineate different sections of your argument. Clarity is as important an ideal to chase, as accuracy.
Stop writing the same ghisa pita Victorian English.
Keep it simple.
The Day You Became A Better Writer
I went from being a bad writer to a good writer after taking a one-day course in “business writing.” I couldn’t believe how simple it was. I’ll tell you the main tricks here so you don’t have to waste a day in class.
Business writing is about clarity and persuasion. The main technique is keeping things simple. Simple writing is persuasive. A good argument in five sentences will sway more people than a brilliant argument in a hundred sentences. Don’t fight it.
Simple means getting rid of extra words. Don’t write, “He was very happy” when you can write “He was happy.” You think the word “very” adds something. It doesn’t. Prune your sentences.
Humor writing is a lot like business writing. It needs to be simple. The main difference is in the choice of words. For humor, don’t say “drink” when you can say “swill.”
Your first sentence needs to grab the reader. Go back and read my first sentence to this post. I rewrote it a dozen times. It makes you curious. That’s the key.
Write short sentences. Avoid putting multiple thoughts in one sentence. Readers aren’t as smart as you’d think.
Learn how brains organize ideas. Readers comprehend “the boy hit the ball” quicker than “the ball was hit by the boy.” Both sentences mean the same, but it’s easier to imagine the object (the boy) before the action (the hitting). All brains work that way. (Notice I didn’t say, “That is the way all brains work”?)
That’s it. You just learned 80% of the rules of good writing. You’re welcome.