Write Like a Spy: Using U.S. Intelligence Guidelines to Reinforce the Lessons of Predictive Legal Writing

Abstract

Legal writing professors often turn to non-legal examples to complement the things we teach in our courses. This Article explores another, direct analog for teaching predictive legal analysis and communication: the standards governing how national intelligence reports are prepared. Legal writing faculty can use these guidelines in a number of ways to reinforce key legal writing lessons and to help students reflect on their professional obligations toward their clients.

Keywords: legal writing, law school