Effective Writing and Editing: Thomas Jefferson, Hank Williams, and Others

February 09, 2012 • 12:05 PM • Law School 3041

The Legal Writing Department welcomes Judge Edward Carnes of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals to lecture on effective writing and editing. He will discuss word choice, avoiding jargon, and the effective use of metaphors, taking examples from such diverse sources as 18th century gospel and Hank Williams. Judge Carnes will also recount some Supreme Court Justices' advice about writing and will consider metaphors used in judicial opinions and other works. (As an added bonus, he will reveal why Alexander Solzhenitsyn abruptly ended the one great love affair of his life!) Judge Carnes will also examine how good editing has improved a number of important documents, including the Declaration of Independence and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. All law students are invited and encouraged to attend this program. Lunch will be provided on a first come, first served basis. For more information please contact April Bryant at abryant@law.duke.edu.