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The Art and Science of Legal Writing

Words carry weight in the legal profession. They’re our instruments for seeking justice, defending rights, and elucidating the truth. A lawyer’s writing becomes an extension of their intention, so excelling at it is more than a professional requirement...
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Plain Language: Unlock The Power Of Clear Communication.

Using plain language means that your message and conveyed information can be understood quickly and easily by your intended audience. Whether you're composing an article, email, report, or other documents, employing the principles of plain language...
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The Ultimate Guide to Grammar & Writing Mechanics for Legal, Business, and Government Professionals

Help your firm save time, increase the power of your documents, comply with jurisdiction requirements, and improve efficiency using Word and other Microsoft 365 products with these lessons from Affinity Consulting Group and WordRake...
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How to Connect Legal Writing, Innovation, and Process Optimization with WordRake for Better Client Outcomes

Legal innovation goes beyond buzzwords and disruptive technologies—it’s about improving the core of our daily work as legal professionals. Infusing even mundane tasks with an innovative mindset can catalyze meaningful progress...
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Paralegals are the backbone of the legal profession, supporting lawyers and clients alike. WordRake helps these unsung heroes excel.

Nearly everyone working in a law firm writes, and that writing must be done well. Particularly in the fast-paced world of legal practice, there’s a pressing need for clear, concise, and accurate communications...
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Use WordRake’s Law Firm Tech Video Series for Word and Outlook to save your law firm hours of time and to better serve clients.

Help your firm save time, increase the power of your documents, comply with jurisdiction requirements, and improve efficiency using Word and other Microsoft 365 products with these lessons from Affinity Consulting Group and WordRake.
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Use WordRake’s Business Writing Webinar Series to learn clear communication so you can lead teams, serve clients, and persuade stakeholders.

Even though you may see yourself as an executive, analyst, scientist, or other business professional, you must not forget that you are a writer, too. As a business professional...
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Use WordRake’s Proposal & RFP Response Tips to upgrade proposal writing with power moves that will help earn the winning bid.

Responding to government requests for proposals (RFPs) is essential for nonprofits seeking funding and companies seeking new business, but the process can be complex and time-consuming....

Exploring WordRake for your organization? Try WordRake Enterprise 

Articles

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Stop Fighting the Hypothetical: Using the Subjunctive Mood and Conditional Phrasing in Legal Writing

Stop Fighting the Hypothetical: Using the Subjunctive Mood...

Lawyers encounter hypothetical scenarios and conditional situations daily, so they must consider what might happen or what could have happened. Two powerful tools help lawyers write about hy...
Let’s Talk About Myself: An Explanation of Reflexive Pronouns and First-Person Pronouns

Let’s Talk About Myself: An Explanation of Reflexive Prono...

Choosing the right pronoun to use when writing is harder than you might expect. Some pronouns serve several functions; some pronouns don’t change to show number or gender, and others seem re...
Balancing Prescriptive and Descriptive Grammar in Editing

Balancing Prescriptive and Descriptive Grammar in Editing

Language and Status: An Introduction to Two Schools of Thought Language and status are closely intertwined. The language choices you make reveal information about your identity, background, ...
Prepositions 101: How to Reduce Phrasal Prepositions to Single Words

Prepositions 101: How to Reduce Phrasal Prepositions to Si...

Prepositions can add valuable detail and complexity to sentences, but they also invite nominalizations, passive constructions, and bloat. When these single-word connectors pile up in writing...
Is that Adjective Eligible for an Upgrade?

Is that Adjective Eligible for an Upgrade?

Have you ever been told not to modify certain adjectives? This advice stems from a concept known as absolute adjectives. Grammarians believe modifying these adjectives is illogical and impro...
Why Active Verbs Create Vigorous Sentences While Adjectives Drain Energy from Weak Verbs

Why Active Verbs Create Vigorous Sentences While Adjective...

Be verbs have earned a bad reputation for creating boring writing—but they’re not alone. Copula verbs (also known as linking verbs), which include be, seem, feel, become, and remain, also cr...
A Primer on Passive Voice: What It is, When to Use It, How to Fix It

A Primer on Passive Voice: What It is, When to Use It, How...

Everyone remembers their high school English teachers admonishing them against using the dreaded passive voice. According to composition class lore, using passive voice was the chief writing...
Why So Many Words? Cut Nominalized Phrases to Spotlight Your Ideas and Arguments

Why So Many Words? Cut Nominalized Phrases to Spotlight Yo...

Maybe you’ve heard folks complaining about how young people tend to verb their nouns—adulting comes to mind. These new word constructions come from the need to make a static thing dynamic. I...
How to Spot Nominalizations and Transform Them into Active Verbs

How to Spot Nominalizations and Transform Them into Active...

Nominalizations—verbs or adjectives that have been converted into nouns—are common sources of obscurity, wordiness, and needless complexity in professional writing. While nominalizations may...
8 Guaranteed Ways to Improve Your Writing

8 Guaranteed Ways to Improve Your Writing

Small changes make a big difference in your writing’s clarity and brevity. One of the best professional writing tips is to simplify. Simpler is better for sentence structure, word choice, an...
How to Use Possessive Pronouns to Show Ownership

How to Use Possessive Pronouns to Show Ownership

Pronouns help writers shorten their sentences and vary their word choices so writing doesn’t seem repetitive. A pronoun is a short, generic word that replaces a noun. It can have one of thre...
Pronouns 101: How to Use Short Words to Avoid Repetition without Losing Clarity

Pronouns 101: How to Use Short Words to Avoid Repetition w...

What difference can three or four letters make? When they form pronouns, these short words can have a big impact. Pronouns are words used in place of other nouns. They reduce repetition, whi...
Affect vs. Effect: Understanding the Difference and Choosing the Right Word

Affect vs. Effect: Understanding the Difference and Choosi...

If you confuse the words affect and effect, you’re not alone. These two words are some of the most commonly confused words in the English language! Because they sound alike, it can be even h...
3 Common Punctuation Mistakes

3 Common Punctuation Mistakes

I love editing. I used to edit instructors on an education website. I spent years proofreading and revising my peers’ work for student publications. In college, I volunteered to edit friends...
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An Interview with Writing Teacher and Coach Erin Lebacqz
Editing Professionals

An Interview with Writing Teacher and Coach Erin Lebacqz

Editing is at its base feedback, which many people struggle to take without feeling it's a reflection on their being. 
An Interview with Editor Daphne Gray-Grant
Editing Professionals

An Interview with Editor Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant has words in her blood. Born to a newspaper family, she started editing in school and never stopped. 
An Interview with Plain Language Expert Kate Harrison Whiteside
Plain Language

An Interview with Plain Language Expert Kate Harrison Whiteside

Plain language expert Kate Harrison Whiteside shares her experience as one of the founders of the English Plain Language Movement.
An Interview with Writing Coach Leslie O’Flahavan
Plain Language

An Interview with Writing Coach Leslie O’Flahavan

Writing coach Leslie O'Flahavan emphasizes the writer's obligation to the reader as part of our International Plain Language Day series.
An Interview with Professor Joe Kimble
Plain Language

An Interview with Professor Joe Kimble

Plain Language Expert Professor Joe Kimble shares his experience with clear writing in an interview for our International Plain Language Day series.
An Interview with Information Designer Annie Burger
Plain Language

An Interview with Information Designer Annie Burger

Information Designer Annie Burger talks about how information design and plain language are connected.
An Interview with Professor Daniel Edelson
Plain Language

An Interview with Professor Daniel Edelson

Associate Professor Daniel Edelson talks about living abroad, ESL and differing language needs as part of our series for International Plain Language Day
An Interview with Professor Stephen Horowitz
Plain Language

An Interview with Professor Stephen Horowitz

Professor of Legal English Stephen Horowitz talks about ESL and clear communication as part of our series for International Plain Language Day
An Interview with Author Kathy Walsh
Plain Language

An Interview with Author Kathy Walsh

Author and Plain Language Expert Kathy Walsh shares the importance of plain language in scientific and technical writing for Intl Plain Language Day 2023
An Interview with Education Director Michael Hughes
Plain Language

An Interview with Education Director Michael Hughes

NAGC Education Director Michael Hughes describes the importance of Plain Language in public communication as part of our Intl Plain Language Day Series
An Interview with NAGC President-Elect Leslie Gervasio
Plain Language

An Interview with NAGC President-Elect Leslie Gervasio

Leslie Gervasio President Elect of the National Association of Government Communicators talks about sharing info with the public for Plain Language Day '23
An Interview with Plain Language Consultant Fraser Buffini
Plain Language

An Interview with Plain Language Consultant Fraser Buffini

Plain Language Consultant Fraser Buffini combines theory and practice in a discussion of the need for clear communication for Intl Plain Language Day 2023
An Interview with Diplomat Jeremy Lang
Plain Language

An Interview with Diplomat Jeremy Lang

Diplomat and educator Jeremy Lang shares his insights on clear communication and the public good as part of our International Plain Language Day Series.
An Interview with Plain Language Leader Casey Mank
Plain Language

An Interview with Plain Language Leader Casey Mank

Center for Plain Language Board Member Casey Mank shares the importance of clear consumer facing communication in an interview for Intl Plain Language Day
An Interview with Technical Writer Paul Stregevsky
Plain Language

An Interview with Technical Writer Paul Stregevsky

Technical Writer Paul Stregevsky talks about the importance of creativity and human writing as part of our series for International Plain Language Day 2023
An Interview with Copywriter Sara Rosinsky
Plain Language

An Interview with Copywriter Sara Rosinsky

Creative Copywriter Sara Rosinski shares her insights on why it's important to use clear, concise language in advertising for Intl Plain Language Day 2023
An Interview with Professor Michael Blasie
Plain Language

An Interview with Professor Michael Blasie

Professor Michael Blasie talks about the reasons to use plain language all the time as part of our series for International Plain Language Day.
Knowledge Management Q&A with Jordan Galvin
Knowledge Management

Knowledge Management Q&A with Jordan Galvin

Knowledge management and innovation expert Jordan Galvin discusses barriers to building KM systems and how KM creates successful innovation initiatives.
Knowledge Management Q&A with Jack Shepherd
Knowledge Management

Knowledge Management Q&A with Jack Shepherd

Former lawyer Jack Shepherd explains the importance of defining goals, realistic strategies, and putting in the work when implementing KM technologies.
Knowledge Management Q&A with Marlene Gebauer
Knowledge Management

Knowledge Management Q&A with Marlene Gebauer

Knowledge management expert Marlene Gebauer explains barriers to KM, how KM can affect document creation, and who will make a good fit to enter the KM field.
Knowledge Management Q&A with Bárbara Gondim da Rocha
Knowledge Management

Knowledge Management Q&A with Bárbara Gondim da Rocha

In this interview, Bárbara Gondim da Rocha shows us how knowledge management can develop solutions that keep your company profitable and clients satisfied.
Knowledge Management Q&A with Nicola Shaver
Knowledge Management

Knowledge Management Q&A with Nicola Shaver

In this interview, Nicola Shaver views document content as unstructured data and how that approach allows her to create long-term value for knowledge management.
Knowledge Management Q&A with Evan Shenkman
Knowledge Management

Knowledge Management Q&A with Evan Shenkman

Knowledge management expert and former lawyer Evan Shenkman sheds light on how tech has propelled legal knowledge management to new heights.
Q&A with Paralegal Shawn D. Andrews
Paralegals

Q&A with Paralegal Shawn D. Andrews

Paralegal Shawn D. Andrews explains how litigation paralegals keep the judicial process moving forward and how you can be a high-value member of the legal team.
Q&A with Paralegal Renee Tiun
Paralegals

Q&A with Paralegal Renee Tiun

Renee Tiun discusses her path to becoming a paralegal and how her unique experience gives her an advantage when serving international tax clients.
Q&A with Paralegal and Legal Translator Richard Lackey
Paralegals

Q&A with Paralegal and Legal Translator Richard Lackey

Richard Lackey explains his new role in legal technology as a contract review specialist at LegalSifter and his experience as a legal translator and paralegal.
Q&A with Paralegal Educator Doug Lusk
Paralegals

Q&A with Paralegal Educator Doug Lusk

Learn more about paralegal training with formally-trained lawyer Doug Lusk. Read on to learn why paralegals are a key part of the legal service team.
Q&A with Paralegal-Turned-Lawyer Ryan Groff
Paralegals

Q&A with Paralegal-Turned-Lawyer Ryan Groff

In this insightful interview with Ryan Groff, he explains how paralegals can help firms reach new heights of productivity and efficiency through technology.
Q&A with Paralegal Educator Keith Shannon
Paralegals

Q&A with Paralegal Educator Keith Shannon

In this interview, Keith explains how he moved from practicing law to teaching paralegals and the challenges he trains the paralegals in his program to meet.
Q&A with Melanie Henriques, Law Firm Partner & Paralegal
Paralegals

Q&A with Melanie Henriques, Law Firm Partner & Paralegal

In this interview, Melanie Henriques discusses her path to partnership and how paralegals can help law firms provide cost-effective legal services to clients.
Q&A with Paralegal Educator Debra C. Galloway
Paralegals

Q&A with Paralegal Educator Debra C. Galloway

In this interview, Debra C. Galloway explains the importance of working with your paralegal and shares her insights on the skills paralegals must possess.
Q&A with Paralegal Tisha Delgado, ACP®
Paralegals

Q&A with Paralegal Tisha Delgado, ACP®

In this interview, Tisha Delgado explains how lawyers can better work with paralegals and leverage their technical know-how for success.
Q&A with Paralegal-Turned-Lawyer Elmer Thoreson
Paralegals

Q&A with Paralegal-Turned-Lawyer Elmer Thoreson

In this interview, Elmer Thoreson reveals the many ways paralegals can contribute to an effective, efficient, innovative legal practice that clients will love.
Q&A with Paralegal Berlinda Bernard
Paralegals

Q&A with Paralegal Berlinda Bernard

In this enlightening interview, paralegal Berlinda Bernard debunks some myths about what paralegals do, and how writing skills are fundamental to her work.
Q&A with Paralegal Educator Jackie Van Dyke
Paralegals

Q&A with Paralegal Educator Jackie Van Dyke

Professor of paralegal studies Jackie Van Dyke, explains the value of training and shines a light on the essential skills paralegals bring to a law firm.
Q&A with Privacy Expert Shaun Jamison
Privacy

Q&A with Privacy Expert Shaun Jamison

Professor Shaun Jamison gets us to think critically about our data habits and challenges our assumptions about rules that previously seemed straight-forward.
Q&A with Privacy Lawyer Jessica Brown
Privacy

Q&A with Privacy Lawyer Jessica Brown

In this interview, privacy lawyer Jessica Brown explains how the user-gerated content of our documents grant access for word-processing software.
Q&A with Document Privacy Expert Chris Cangero
Privacy

Q&A with Document Privacy Expert Chris Cangero

Chris Cangero talks about the information in your documents—that doesn’t appear on the page—and discovers where it fits in your privacy and security analysis.
Q&A with Privacy Expert Donata Stroink-Skillrud
Privacy

Q&A with Privacy Expert Donata Stroink-Skillrud

In this interview, privacy expert Donata Stroink-Skillrud explains how to assess privacy policies and which questions to ask when considering new software.
Q&A with Privacy Expert Nerushka Bowan
Privacy

Q&A with Privacy Expert Nerushka Bowan

South African privacy expert Nerushka Bowan shows us that privacy is truly an everyday issue. Read on for an eye-opening interview about common privacy matters.
Q&A with Privacy Expert Cat Coode
Privacy

Q&A with Privacy Expert Cat Coode

Cat Coode explains how discrete information is more important than we might expect and how we fundamentally misjudge the information we trade away.
Q&A with Privacy Expert Irene Mo
Privacy

Q&A with Privacy Expert Irene Mo

Privacy expert Irene Mo reveals our privacy blind spots and gives us new ways to think about our work so we keep confidentiality front of mind.
Journalist Q&A with Bob Ambrogi
Journalism

Journalist Q&A with Bob Ambrogi

In this interview with journalist and blogger, Bob Ambrogi shows how we can bring journalistic storytelling into legal writing to draft better documents.
Journalist Q&A with Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman
Journalism

Journalist Q&A with Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman

This interview with award-winning journalist, Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman shows us how we can write more compelling legal documents—and deliver them on time.
Journalist Q&A with Jesse Katz
Journalism

Journalist Q&A with Jesse Katz

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jesse Katz talks about his role in helping the firm’s lawyers and the lessons we can apply from journalism to law.
Q&A with Change Management Expert Maya Markovich Pt 3
Change Management

Q&A with Change Management Expert Maya Markovich Pt 3

Part 3: Creating a Culture of Change in Law Firms with Change Management Expert Maya Markovich.
Q&A with Change Management Expert Maya Markovich Pt 2
Change Management

Q&A with Change Management Expert Maya Markovich Pt 2

Part 2: Change Management in Law Firms with Change Management Expert Maya Markovich.
Q&A with Change Management Expert Maya Markovich Pt 1
Change Management

Q&A with Change Management Expert Maya Markovich Pt 1

Part 1: Behavioral Economics and Legal Business with Change Management Expert Maya Markovich.
Plain Language Q&A with Cheryl Stephens
Plain Language

Plain Language Q&A with Cheryl Stephens

Ready to learn about plain language? Read this interview with Cheryl Stephens, Consultant, Plain Language Wizardry and Author, Plain Language Legal Writing.
Clear Writing Q&A with Ben Riggs from Kettering Health
Plain Language

Clear Writing Q&A with Ben Riggs from Kettering Health

Ready to learn about plain language? In this engaging interview, Ben Riggs shows us the empathy we should have for readers facing life-changing decisions.
Plain Language Q&A with Andrew Pegler
Plain Language

Plain Language Q&A with Andrew Pegler

Ready to learn about plain language? Read this interview about plain language with Andrew Pegler, Principal, Andrew Pegler Media.
Access to Justice Q&A with Felicity Conrad and Kristen Sonday
Plain Language

Access to Justice Q&A with Felicity Conrad and Kristen Sonday

Ready to learn about how plain language impacts access to justice? We spoke with Felicity Conrad and Kristen Sonday from Paladin. Read on for more insights.
Plain Language Q&A with Barbra Kingsley
Plain Language

Plain Language Q&A with Barbra Kingsley

Learn about plain language in this interview with Barbra Kingsley, PhD, Chair, Center for Plain Language and Managing Partner, Kingsley-Kleimann Group.
Plain Language Q&A with Russell Willerton
Plain Language

Plain Language Q&A with Russell Willerton

How can you communicate with clarity and empathy when people need it most? Read this interview about plain language with Russell Willerton.
Plain Language Q&A with Christopher Trudeau
Plain Language

Plain Language Q&A with Christopher Trudeau

The public relies on professionals to interpret and deliver important information. Ready to communicate clearly? Read this interview with Christopher Trudeau.
Plain Language Q&A with Deborah S. Bosley, PhD
Plain Language

Plain Language Q&A with Deborah S. Bosley, PhD

Ready to learn about plain language? Read this interview about plain language with Deborah S. Bosley, Ph.D., founder, and principal, the Plain Language Group.
Plain Language Q&A with Iva Cheung
Plain Language

Plain Language Q&A with Iva Cheung

People encounter confusing language when they receive medical treatment—but this is when understanding is critical. Read this interview with Iva Cheung, Ph.D.
Access to Justice Q&A with Dorna Moini from Gavel
Plain Language

Access to Justice Q&A with Dorna Moini from Gavel

Ready to learn about how plain language impacts access to justice? Read this interview with Dorna Moini, CEO and Co-founder of Documate. Check it out.
Clear Writing Q&A with Roy Peter Clark
Plain Language

Clear Writing Q&A with Roy Peter Clark

What do you know about civic clarity and clear writing? Read this interview with renowned author Roy Peter Clark, Senior Scholar at The Poynter Institute.
The Importance of Powerful Storytelling in Writing
Plain Language

The Importance of Powerful Storytelling in Writing

It’s important for writers to tell good stories to maintain readers’ interests and connect on a deeper level. Learn how to tell a good story with your writing.
Get Started on Your Writing Journey with Insights from Ben Riggs
Plain Language

Get Started on Your Writing Journey with Insights from Ben Riggs

Every writer can benefit from a writing coach. We’ve gathered the best insights from author Ben Riggs to help you get started with your writing journey.
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WordRake Tips & Tricks

Don’t Dismiss that Dialog Box!
WordRake Tips & Tricks

Don’t Dismiss that Dialog Box!

Dialog boxes often feel disruptive, but sometimes we’re so quick to dismiss dialog boxes that we miss key information. Some hidden gems are tucked away in WordRake’s dialog boxes.
For Best Results, Rake Twice
WordRake Tips & Tricks

For Best Results, Rake Twice

WordRake’s complex algorithms are contextual—that’s what makes its editing suggestions so powerful and accurate. The algorithms operate using signals and triggers. So when you Rake a document and accept changes or otherw...
Have You Discovered These WordRake Hidden Features?
WordRake Tips & Tricks

Have You Discovered These WordRake Hidden Features?

Our users rely on WordRake for quick and reliable editing for clarity and brevity. Every feature and function was designed to work within that streamlined user experience, focused solely on delivering accurate editing su...
How to Become a WordRake Power Editor
WordRake Tips & Tricks

How to Become a WordRake Power Editor

When asked to edit an author’s work, how quickly can you turn around a document? If you’re an editor getting paid a flat or per-word fee, every second you save adds to your bottom line. And if you’re simply doing a favor...
Are You a WordRake Power User?
WordRake Tips & Tricks

Are You a WordRake Power User?

The most vocal and dedicated software users are powerhouses. To work more efficiently, power users tweak their apps and seek out hidden features. You hear about Microsoft power users, but did you know you can be a WordRa...

Staff Stories

Leading with Generosity: The “Give First” Philosophy for Networking and Building Professional Relationships
Staff Stories

Leading with Generosity: The “Give First” Philosophy for N...

I am a fan. An unabashed fan. I admire people openly and I tell them—and everyone within earshot. So if you want my advice on networking, that’s it: Be a fan.
Q&A with WordRake Founder Gary Kinder
Staff Stories

Q&A with WordRake Founder Gary Kinder

What gave you the idea for WordRake? Although I have a law degree, I’ve devoted my career to writing and teaching writing. I’ve taught to businesses, universities, government agencies, and writing/publishing conferences....
Life Lessons from Writing Competitions
Staff Stories

Life Lessons from Writing Competitions

Writing competitions don’t reflect sustainable writing habits, but they can teach great life lessons. So far, I’ve written a 55,000-word novel, participated in 10 writing competitions and challenges, and placed in severa...
Q&A with Ivy B. Grey, WordRake's Newest Hire
Staff Stories

Q&A with Ivy B. Grey, WordRake's Newest Hire

We sat down with the newest member of the WordRake team, Ivy B. Grey, after completing her first month on the job. Ivy joined us in early November as our Director of Business Strategy. A legal tech entrepreneur and forme...
How to Complete Your NaNoWriMo Novel
Staff Stories

How to Complete Your NaNoWriMo Novel

National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, is an annual sprint to write a 50,000-word novel in November. According to NaNoWriMo’s website, over 394,000 people tried to write 50,000 words in November 2017, and more than ...

Quizzes

Quiz on Bright & Lively Writing

Can you turn boring bluster into engaging prose? Take this short quiz to test your knowledge about bright and lively writing!

Writing lively sentences matters because lively sentences hold our readers’ attention and make them more receptive to our message. In this quiz, test your knowledge of the two most common ways we bore our readers: writing with passive voice and nominalizations.

Punctuation Quiz

Do you know your punctuation rules? Take this short quiz to test your knowledge about punctuation!

Punctuation should clarify your points and improve your sentence flow. See if you know when it’s appropriate to use a comma, semicolon, dash, period, or colon. Take this short quiz to test your knowledge about punctuation!

Quiz on Writing for Clarity & Brevity

Do you know how to write clear and concise prose? Take this short quiz to test your knowledge about clarity and brevity!

Writing clearly and concisely gets your point across and engages readers. See where you can remove unnecessary words to tighten and tone the sentences below.

Nominalizations Quiz

Can you recognize nominalizations and convert them to lively verbs? Take this short quiz to test your knowledge about nominalizations!

One major cause of wordiness is a word many people
have never even heard: “nominalization.” A nominalization is a noun that should be a verb. When we convert a nominalization to its verb form, we enliven our writing. Do you know how to spot a nominalization? Check with our five-question quiz:

eBooks

DigitalDueDiligenceIvyGrey
White Paper

Digital Due Diligence: A Practical Guide to AI and Ethics in the Legal Profession

Legal writing is a key part of how lawyers serve their clients, but many lawyers now have a new starting point for their text: generative AI. While this new technology changes our workflows, it does not change our ethical duties—the duties just come up in surprising new ways.
PerfectBriefGaryKinder
eBook

How to Write the Perfect Brief

Every brief is like a mini-trial—it is an opportunity to show the court why your client should prevail. Briefs serve as written guides to help the fact-finder understand why your position is the most meritorious. And...
ArtAndScienceofBusinessEmailGaryIvy
eBook

The Art & Science of Writing Business Email

A well-written email distinguishes us and endears us to our readers, which makes them more likely to respond well to our messages. Effective emails aren’t just persuasive; they’re clear, concise, well-organized, and...
Associate Attrition
eBook

Retaining Top Talent: How Effective Legal Writing Can Stem The Tide of Associate Attrition

The average stay for an associate at a large law firm is less than four years. And when they leave, it costs the firm a great deal. But you probably already know that. The bigger mystery is what to do about the problem.
PerfectMemoGaryKinder
eBook

How to Write the Perfect Memorandum

Memoranda written by associates are the lifeblood of a law firm. Partners rely on them to advise clients and strategize. But writing a clear, well-researched memorandum is difficult. What if you could secretly ask...
8SecretsGaryKinder
eBook

Secrets to Writing Clearly & Concisely

Clear and concise writing is the key to effective communication. To help you become an effective communicator, we’re sharing the “8 Secrets” for spotting useless words...
3SecretsGaryKinder
eBook

3 Secrets to Writing Bright & Lively Sentences

After we’ve removed the needless words from our writing, what else can we do to make our writing more engaging?
EthicalTechCompetenceIvy
eBook

The Ethical Duty of Technology Competence

The duty of technology competence was introduced in 2012; now 39 states have adopted revised Comment 8 to Model Rule 1.1. In the nine years since its introduction, it has become clear that technology awareness, wisdom, and adoption are necessary...
50WomenIvy
eBook

Choose Your Own Adventure

Success in the legal field does not follow a prescribed path. To find it, you must be willing to deviate from what you perceive as the standard path.
WritingToBeUnderstoodAnneJanzer
eBook

Using Analogies to Explain

In legal, technical, and scientific fields, apt analogies help people both understand and remember important concepts. 
WorkplaceWriterAnneJanzer
eBook

Mastering the Revision Process

Revision isn’t simply a matter of finding and fixing errors in your writing. The goal of revision is to meet the reader’s needs. Doing so requires planning and strategy.
LegalInnovationWorkbookLucyBassli
eBook

The Simple Workbook for Legal Innovation

It's tough to keep up with the constant changes taking place in the legal industry. Every day, we see dozens of new articles about the latest “must-know” legal innovation and technology.
PunctuatingOnPurposeBenRiggs
eBook

Punctuating on Purpose

Many of us approach punctuation and punctuating sentences like we're stepping into a mine field while wearing clown shoes: We're bound to trip on something unpleasant.
PlainLanguageEthicsRussellWillerton
eBook

Restyling the Federal Rules of Evidence

American court systems rely on standardized legal procedures to secure a just and speedy determination of legal actions and to regulate the evidence that may be used reach a verdict. Even for regular players in the system, rules...
MakeLinkedinWorkDennisKAllisonSJ
eBook

Developing Your LinkedIn Strategy

Do you ever sense that an opportunity exists, but you just don’t know how to take advantage of it? For most lawyers, one unrealized opportunity is social media, particularly LinkedIn. Still, lawyers who try to seize the opportunity don’t reap the benefits because they treat LinkedIn...
GetToThePointJoelSchwartzberg
eBook

Know Your Point

The purpose of all business communication is to make a point—and convince others of its truth or value. This is true for written communication, including internal emails or legal briefs; and verbal communication, including formal speeches or department meetings.
LawyerForwardMikeWhelan
eBook

The Businesses We Build

What does it mean to be a good lawyer? How confident are you that others would agree with your definition? If you’re struggling with conflicting advice about how to succeed as a lawyer then Lawyer Forward: Finding Your Place in the Future of Law is a great place for answers.
GetTheWordOutAnneJanzer
eBook

Explore Your Expertise & Assemble Your Authority

Imposter syndrome keeps many experts from sharing their valuable knowledge. It’s easy to assume you must do many more years of research and learning before you can call yourself and expert and share what you know. But that’s not true. 
ContractDraftingKenAdams
eBook

Syntactic Ambiguity

The right word in the wrong order can cause a reader to draw unintended meaning from a sentence. When the reader and the writer see the same words, but find different meanings, the words are ambiguous—and this ambiguity can lead to litigation.
GoodWordsPatrickBarry
eBook

Clarity and Coherence

A writer creates coherence through the choice and order of words in a sentence, sentences in a paragraph, and paragraphs in a chapter. Without attention to how each part and sub-part relates to the whole, it is impossible to deliver clear meaning to the reader.
EssentialAssociateJayHarrington
eBook

Be Productive

The road to law firm partnership is cloaked in mystique—and attaining partnership seems more like a wishful fairytale than a real career path. With ill-defined milestones and an unmarked roadmap, it's no wonder we cling to the crumbs of vague advice we receive. But that’s about to change.
ScienceArtLegalCameronLong
eBook

Less is More

Even when writing for work, it can feel intensely personal. So when we get feedback about our writing, we tend to dismiss it as a superficial style preference. This framing conveniently allows us to ignore any advice we don’t like. But Professors Catherine J. Cameron and Lance N. Long will not let us off the hook that easily. In The Science Behind the Art of Legal Writing, the authors ask: Does advice about legal writing style have any basis in science?

SimplySaidJaySullivan
eBook

Challenge Every Word

Communication that is satisfying to our audience requires us to put their needs first. Rather than thinking about what we want to say, we must consider what they must hear to find value in the message.
MSWordForLegalMonicaKorf
eBook

Professional Drafting in MS Word

What makes an effective legal document? Any legal professional would recognize the importance of creating a document rich with high-quality analysis, careful drafting, and thorough research. But many legal professionals would overlook document form and creation.
ThinkingLikeWriterStephenArmstrong
eBook

Thinking Like a Writer

The first paragraph of a document is not necessarily an introduction, yet many lawyers treat it as if it were. That’s because lawyers think about what they want to say, not what the readers want to know. If that describes you, this chapter is sure to change your approach.
HighValueWritingErinLebacqz
eBook

Choosing High-Value Words in Writing

You don’t have to be a high-powered executive to write well for work. You just need someone to show you the way. With help from writing professor and international educator Erin Lebacqz, new professionals can learn to communicate confidently.
EmailScrewupAnneJanzer
eBook

Unwelcome Wall of Words in Email

What type of writing is worthy of your editing time? If you forgot to consider email as important writing, then you may need some help rethinking your approach.

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Webinars

Practical Guide to AI & Ethics 07-09-2024-thumb
Webinars

A Practical Guide to AI and Ethics

Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI in legal practice presents both opportunities and ethical challenges. This one-hour program aims to give legal professionals practical insights on the ethical considerations in AI's role in legal research and writing.
Connecting Technology Training and Substantive Legal Writing Skills Webinar 11-19-2023-thumb
Webinar

Connecting Technology Training and Substantive Legal Writing Skills

Legal writing instructors often believe that they must choose between teaching substantive legal writing skills or teaching technology skills. But those two objectives are not in conflict... 
Editing for Law Review Thumbnail
Webinars

Using Technology toImprove the Editing Process

Law review is an honor, a privilege, and a highly coveted credential, but checking superficial details often detracts from substantive work—it can even get in the way of your classwork.
Clear Drafting - Clarity Webinar 2024
Webinar

Clear Legal Drafting Webinar

On November 14, 2024, Ivy B. Grey presented as part of a three-part webinar hosted by Cooley Law School’s Kimble Center for Legal Drafting in partnership with Clarity International. 
Lean Masterclass Thumbnail Image
Webinars

Using Lean Thinking and Legal Tech to Enhance the Document Creation Process

If you’ve ignored Lean because you thought it was just another jargon-filled fad, this webinar will challenge your preconceptions. We’ll make Lean for law firms more accessible by applying it to the document creation process. This work is familiar to everyone in a law firm, and everyone plays some role in it, so it’s both relatable and ripe for improvement. By the end of this program, you’ll see that if your work isn’t producing value, then it’s not the right work. 

Establishing Your Work Reputation through Clear & Concise Writing 06-18-2022
Webinars

Building Your Reputation at Work through Writing

Learning how to clearly and effectively communicate your value, your ideas, or your legal arguments as a young lawyer is a powerful way to advance your career. When you’re still new to the legal profession..
Tech Competence Webinar 2022
Webinar

The Duty of Technology Competence

Lawyers have an ethical obligation to competently represent their clients. Competence includes both the substance of the legal work and the technology used to provide legal services to clients.  
AI and Legal
Webinar

AI and Legal Ethics--An ABA Roundtable

Lawyers Damien Riehl, Ivy B. Grey, Jayne Reardon, Kenton Brice, and Jim Calloway (Moderator) discuss the ethics implications and requirements for using generative AI in legal practice.
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Webinar

Building Legal Judgment Through Technology (Webinar)

Clients get frustrated when lawyers don’t spend enough time on thoughtful, high-value work but still produce a hefty bill based on repetitive, low-value work. When you’re in the thick of things
NEW AI Engagement Framework Webinar 11-09-2023-thumb
Webinar

AI Engagement Framework

As we expand our use of AI in law and lower (or remove) the barriers to accessing these tools, it is ever more important for us to be discerning users. We must question, verify, and scrutinize...
Learning Ethics Through Storytelling 2024
Webinar

5 Scenarios that Show GenAI’s Risks

Gain an understanding of the risks of using generative AI through a discussion of five realistic fact-patterns. Each fact-pattern is designed to address an ethical issue raised in ABA Formal Opinion 512 and show you some of the surprising ways ethical questions arise. In this 30-minute presentation, you’ll get an introduction to GenAI with basic definitions, an introduction to related Model Rules, and an in-depth discussion of the fact-patterns.
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Webinar

Make Microsoft Word Work for You

Microsoft Word is one of the most used tools of the legal trade—isn’t it time we learned to use it well? In this fast-paced Ignite-style presentation Ivy B. Grey will share Microsoft Word tips and tricks...
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Webinar

Balancing Ethics, Inclusion, and Innovation: Preparing Future Lawyers for the Age of AI

As AI technologies like ChatGPT make deeper inroads into the legal profession, it's clear that our legal education system needs to keep pace with these advancements. This presentation focuses on how law professors, practitioners...
Viewpoint Project Documentary
Webinar

Legal Writing Technology Documentary

One area where lawyers use technology the most—but rarely consider the risks or opportunities—is document creation. A great document can change the outcome of a legal matter. Clients trust lawyers to get it right and pay them handsomely to do so. Since documents are so important, lawyers should use every tool available to increase document quality and efficiency, including technology. In this documentary, Ivy B. Grey, Dyane O’Leary, and Jessica Tseng Hasen discuss the value of writing improvement technology. Watch it now!

Podcasts

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Podcasts

ILTA Digital Engagement Podcast

Ivy Grey with Nicki Kastellorizios-Lee and Relandria Adams

WRD_380x220_Pioneers and Pathfinders_01
Podcasts

Pioneers and Pathfinders Podcast

Ivy Grey with J. Stephen Poor
WRD_380x220_Fresh Voices on Legal Tech_01
Podcasts

Fresh Voices on Legal Tech

Ivy Grey with Dennis Kennedy
and Tom Mighell
WRD_380x220_Ivy Grey with John Strohmeyer Five Star Counsel March 1, 2021_01-1-1
Podcasts

Five Star Counsel

Ivy Grey with John Strohmeyer
WRD_380x220_Gary Kinder with Sharon Berman Law Firm Marketing Catalyst February 26, 2020_01-1
Podcasts

Law Firm Marketing Catalyst

Gary Kinder with Sharon Berman
WRD_380x220_Ivy Grey with Joe Regalia and Nick Rishwain LegalTechLIVE November 26, 2019_01-1
Podcasts

LegalTechLIVE

Ivy Grey with Joe Regalia and Nick Rishwain
WRD_380x220_Ivy Grey with Natalie Worsfold and Peter Aprile Building New Law Podcast June 4, 2019_01-2
Podcasts

Building NewLaw Podcast

Ivy Grey with Natalie Worsfold and Peter Aprile
WRD_380x220_Gary Kinder with Don Hutcheson Discover Your Talent, Do What You Love Podcast June 3, 2019_01-1
Podcasts

Discover Your Talent, Do What You Love Podcast

Gary Kinder with Don Hutcheson
WRD_380x220_Gary Kinder with Pat Iyer Legal Nurse Podcast November 2017_01-1
Podcasts

Legal Nurse Podcast

Gary Kinder with Patricia Iyer
WRD_380x220_Gary Kinder with Ben Olson Thinking LSAT Podcast April 3, 2017_01-1
Podcasts

Thinking LSAT Podcast

Gary Kinder with Ben Olson
WRD_380x220_Gary Kinder with Brian Cardile The Weekly Appellate Report Podcast February 17, 2017_01-1
Podcasts

The Weekly Appellate Report Podcast

Gary Kinder with Brian Cardile
WRD_380x220_Gary Kinder with Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway The Digital Edge Podcast February 9, 2017_01-1
Podcasts

The Digital Edge Podcast

Gary Kinder with Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway
WRD_380x220_Gary Kinder with Craig Moen and Shye Gilad  Business Owner_s Radio January 16, 2017_01-1
Podcasts

Business Owner's Radio

Gary Kinder with Craig Moen and Shye Gilad
WRD_380x220_Gary Kinder with Ed Poll LawBiz Podcast September 30, 2013_01-1
Podcasts

LawBiz Podcast

Gary Kinder with Ed Poll
WRD_380x220_Gary Kinder with Ari Kaplan Reinventing Professionals Podcast October 10, 2013_01-1
Podcasts

Reinventing Professionals Podcast

Gary Kinder with Ari Kaplan
WRD_380x220_Gary Kinder with Vicki Voisin Paralegal Voice Podcast July 19, 2013_01-1
Podcasts

Paralegal Voice Podcast

Gary Kinder with Vicki Voisin
WRD_380x220_Ivy Grey with Marlene Gebauer and Greg Lambert Geek in Review Podcast January 24, 2019_01-1
Podcasts

The Geek in Review Podcast

Ivy Grey with Maya Markovich
WRD_380x220_Ivy Grey with Megan Zavieh Lawyers Gone Ethical Podcast October 9, 2018_01-1
Podcasts

Lawyers Gone Ethical Podcast

Ivy Grey with Megan Zavieh
WRD_380x220_Ivy Grey with Adriana Linares New Solo Podcast October 20, 2017_01-1
Podcasts

New Solo Podcast

Ivy Grey with Adriana Linares and Daniel Heuman
WRD_380x220_Ivy Grey with Jon Tobin at ABA TechShow Using Tech to Replace or Improve Admin Work (Podcast) March 5, 2022_01-1
Podcast

ABA Tech Show Podcast

Ivy Grey with Jon Tobin and John Strohmeyer at ABA TechShow
WRD_380x220_Ivy Grey and Chris Cangero LegalTech Live - The Effectiveness Project November 9, 2021_01-1
Podcasts

LegalTech Live - The Effectiveness Project

Ivy Grey and Chris Cangero
WRD_380x220_Ivy Grey with Sarah Cottrell Former Lawyer Podcast April 12, 2021_01-1
Podcasts

Former Lawyer Podcast

Ivy Grey with Sarah Cottrell
WRD_380x220_Ivy Grey with Davina Frederick Wealthy Woman Lawyer Podcast February 2, 2021_01-1
Podcasts

Wealthy Woman Lawyer Podcast

Ivy Grey with Davina Frederick
WRD_380x220_Ivy Grey with Jim Hacking and Tyson Mutrux Maximum Lawyer Podcast July 28, 2020_01-1
Podcasts

Maximum Lawyer Podcast

Ivy Grey with Jim Hacking and Tyson Mutrux
WRD_380x220_Ivy Grey with Jack Newton Clio’s Daily Matters Podcast July 20, 2020_01-1
Podcasts

Clio’s Daily Matters Podcast

Ivy Grey with Jack Newton
WRD_380x220_Ivy Grey with Marlene Gebauer and Greg Lambert Geek in Review Podcast January 24, 2019_01-1
Podcasts

Geek in Review Podcast

Ivy Grey with Marlene Gebauer and Greg Lambert
WRD_380x220_Ivy Grey with Tim Baran Good2BSocial Podcast March 20, 2018_01-1
Podcasts

Good2BSocial Podcast

Ivy Grey with Tim Baran
WRD_380x220_Gary Kinder with Jules Miller       Evolve the Law Legal Luminary Podcast July 25, 2017_01-1
Podcasts

Evolve the Law Legal Luminary Podcast

Gary Kinder with Jules Miller 

Infographics

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WordRake offers over 50,000 editing algorithms based on subject matter and linguistic expertise

How Does it Work?

WordRake is editing software designed by writing expert and New York Times bestselling author Gary Kinder. Like an editor or helpful colleague, WordRake ripples through your document checking for needless words and cumbersome phrases. Its complex algorithms find and improve weak lead-ins, confusing language, and high-level grammar and usage slips.

WordRake runs in Microsoft Word and Outlook, and its suggestions appear in the familiar track-changes style. If you’ve used track changes, you already know how to use WordRake. There’s nothing to learn and nothing to interpret. Editing for clarity and brevity has never been easier.

See How Professionals Like You Use Wordrake

“WordRake turned me from the C+ law student I was 35 years ago, to an A-writer today. It’s like having a writing teacher on demand.”
Loren Molever
Co-Managing Member, Molever Conelly PLLC
“WordRake is my second pair of eyes for everything that I draft in Word or send in Outlook. It makes my writing more concise and professional. I use it every day.”
Chris Cummings
Attorney, Christopher J. Cummings, P.C.
“We used WordRake to upgrade all existing templates and we’ve made it part of our standard drafting process so we can consistently create better documents going forward. We love WordRake!”
Janelle Eveland Belling
Director of Legal Project Management, Perkins Coie LLP
“WordRake is amazing! It's like having an extra editor by my side, helping me to scrape the lawyer dust off my documents.”
John Strohmeyer
Proprietor, Strohmeyer Law PLLC
“WordRake not only helps with real-time editing, it also helps writers think about their work going forward. Very useful.”
Karl Ackermann
Principle, WriteSpace, LLC
Try WordRake on your own documents now! 
Download your 7-day free trial here.
No credit card required.

WordRake is available for Word on Mac and Windows. WordRake is also available for Outlook on Windows.

WordRake System Requirements
Mac System Requirements(WordRake for Word)
  • Operating Systems: Sequoia, Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, or Catalina
  • Applications: Office 365*, MS Word 2024, 2021, 2019, or 2016
Not compatible with Word 2011 or web-only versions of Word
Windows System Requirements(WordRake for Word and/or Outlook)
  • Operating Systems: Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Server 2022, Server 2019, Server 2016
  • Applications: Office 365*, MS Word and/or Outlook 2024, 2021, 2019, 2016, and 2013 
*Not compatible with Outlook 2007, or web-only versions of Office 365