Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents: Writing and professional work -- Inside a rule of law -- More about rules -- Analyzing a statute ; Analyzing a judicial opinion -- Reading a case for issues, rules, and determinative facts -- Policy and why courts care about it -- Selecting the right authority -- Working with statutes -- Working with cases -- Getting to know yourself as a writer -- Inside the process of writing -- How professional writers plan their writing -- Writing an office memorandum -- Interviewing the client -- Predictive writing in an office memorandum -- CREAC : a formula for structuring proof of a conclusion of law -- Varying the sequence and depth of rule explanation and rule application -- Advanced CREAC : organizing more than one issue -- Working with CREAC in first drafts and in later drafts -- Writing effective paragraphs and sentences -- Effective style : clarity, vividness, conciseness, and precision -- Citing and quoting authority -- Advising and counseling the client -- Client letters -- Professional email -- What persuades a court -- Writing a motion memorandum -- The statement of the case in a motion memo or appellate brief -- Developing a persuasive story -- Telling the story persuasively -- The argument in a motion memo or appellate brief -- Point headings and subheadings -- Appellate practice -- Writing the appellate brief -- Handling standards of review -- Questions presented -- Making policy arguments -- Oral argument.