various models for working with law.
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These models were the structure for
performing tasks with law. When legal writing involves describing how these
tasks were performed the models also provided the structure for the text.
There is a simple principle that underlies this adaptation: as you do, so shall
you write.
Other sources of structure came from some structures that are in general use
for many kinds of writing.
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For example chronological order is a very
sensible way of describing events that occurred over a time period.
These standard structures become a template for a writer to use, either in their
original form or with appropriate alterations for the case in hand. Additionally,
there may be occasions when a writer has to design their own special structure
for a special case. The best general advice that can be given for this is to work
out consciously why it is a special case such that the standard structures
cannot be used. This should generate enough insight to enable you to devise a
proper structure, even if the finished product stems from several drafts.
Developing the Structure
To start developing an overall structure, throw all of your ideas down, for
example by writing the key points on cards (or failing that, just write them on a
piece of paper). Then start arranging them into the best possible structure. The
best possible structure is the one which puts all your points on a coherent
framework and allows you to say what you need to say about each one.
It is likely that the structure you start with may not be the structure that you
need to finish with. The whole process of writing generates ideas and insights,
and uncovers fresh knowledge. Hence it is necessary to keep a permanent eye
on your chosen structure and alter it as required.
Communicating the Structure
Introduction
Not only must writing be structured, it
is necessary to communicate that
structure to the reader. In some senses structure communicates itself –
it
should be obvious from the flow of ideas in the work –
but there are things
that a writer can do to communicate the structure even better. Give the reader
an overview, and divide the work into units and subunits. Use headings to
reflect the structure and make clear the status of each statement, or at least of
each major statement, because its status is its place in the structure.
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Chapter 4 Legal Structure of a Text
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Chapter 3 General Structure of a Text
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