Editing Quote by Fred Rodell
“There are two things wrong with almost all legal writing. One is its style. The other is its content.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Legal Writing of Fred Rodell, 1940
Legal writing often fails because its style is poor and its substance is weak.
In simple terms: Bad style and content ruin legal writing.
Key Takeaway
Improve both style and substance.
Themes
law
writing
clarity
effectiveness
critique
Mood
frustrated
critical
Type
advice
analytical
When to use this quote
- drafting contracts
- court briefs
- legislative drafting
- law school assignments
Key Concepts
rhetoric
legal theory
communication
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance clear style with strong argument?
- What content gaps do you see in your own writing?
A Different Perspective
Changing style alone won’t fix flawed arguments.
