What Plain English Really Is
Scribes Journal of Legal Writing, Vol. 9, p. 43, 2003-2004
33 Pages Posted: 19 Jan 2009 Last revised: 12 Mar 2014
Abstract
This article responds to the article Against Plain English: The Case for a Functional Approach to Legal Document Preparation by Professor David Crump of the University of Houston Law Center. In this article, I first highlight some insights and suggestions that Professor Crump got right - things he wrote that I agree with. Next, I suggest several authors, articles, and books that Professor Crump should have dealt with, discussed, or at least cited in an article that criticizes plain English. Then I address six of Professor Crump's points that I disagree with. Finally, I try to give a fuller picture of plain English; I hope to correct some mistakes and debunk some myths.
Keywords: plain English, plain language, legal writing, legal drafting, myths, sources, Crump
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation