paragraphs, joining paragraphs and creating the overall structure.
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In this
regard, the major task that differentiates writing in one discipline from writing
in another, for example law and psychology, is overall structure.
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Headings
Use of carefully devised and properly deployed headings and subheadings is a
great way to make a text easier both to read and write. This is why headings
should be and are used in legal texts.
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Citations
A text will frequently contain citations of other texts to show sources,
authorities and further reading. It is of fundamental importance for a writer to
ensure that citations are both full and correct. Achieving this may necessitate
explaining in a table of abbreviations the meaning of any abbreviations used in
citation with which any one member of the class of readers of a text will not be
familiar. Consider also adding additional information to the citation where that
may help the reader. For example, in some circumstances it may
be
appropriate for a text to give the ISBN of a book. In the confines of a law firm
or a university it may also entail stating in a subject outline the library
classification numbers of the texts on the reading list.
Tables
Sometimes there may be advantages in putting information in a table rather
than in purely narrative form. This is likely to be the case for information which
consists of lists of items.
A table may be just a single list of items. For example, it may list the kings and
queens of England. Or it may be two or more lists which explain the
relationship between items on the same level. It may list the kings and queens
of England and state in an adjacent column the dates on which they reigned or
the major statutes passed in their reign. Another example is a table of
abbreviations, which states both the abbreviation and its meaning.
A table typically lists items in some discernible order. Many will be in
alphabetical or chronological order. Others are in a different order according
to the subject or purpose of the table. For example, the best way to list the
ranks in armed services is literally to rank them, that is, to set them out in order
of importance, with generals at the top and privates at the bottom.
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Chapter 3 General Structure of a Text
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Chapters 4 Legal Structure of a Text
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Headings are discussed in Chapter 5 Characteristics of a Text
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