Elevate your writing skills with BriefCatch Lessons.
BriefCatch Lessons offers a comprehensive suite of interactive training modules and quizzes designed to hone your skills in writing clarity, efficiency, and impact.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your writing journey, this section serves as your go-to resource for mastering the nuances of syntax, tackling commonly confused words, and much more. Gain the confidence to articulate your thoughts precisely and compellingly, and make every word count.
With step-by-step guidance and real-time feedback, you’ll soon find yourself writing more persuasively and effectively than you ever thought possible.
Here are a few examples of how the Greats analogize and compare cases, facts, and contexts. Case citations have been replaced by “. . .” to shorten these passages and to allow you to digest them more easily. As in X, Y Example from Seth Waxman: “The Federal Circuit reasoned
Would a coalition of companies and their lawyer decide to sue? Or would that be “decides.” Basic Subject-Verb Agreement Rules: Singular Subjects: Singular subjects take singular verbs: “The dog barks at the mailman.” Plural Subjects: Plural subjects take plural verbs: “The dogs bark at the mailman.” Compound Subjects: Connected with
Would you refer to a corporation that had abdicated its duties to the public? Or would this be a company which abdicated their duties? Relative Pronouns: Who: Use “who” when referring to a PERSON: “She was an individual who advocated vociferously for free speech.” That/Which: Use “that” or “which” when
Dangling modifiers aren’t just a grammar faux pas; they’re loose threads that can unravel the meaning of your sentence. Review the tips below to ensure that misplaced modifiers don’t cloud the meaning of your sentence with misplaced modifiers! Dangling Modifier: What Is a Dangling Modifier? A dangling modifier occurs when (1)
Split Infinitive: What Is a Split Infinitive? A split infinitive involves placing an adverb or other word/phrase between the word “to” and an infinitive verb (e.g. “go”): “to boldly go”. Historically, there was a rule against splitting infinitives. But the reasons for such a rule are antiquated and have no
With more stopping power than the comma and the ability to connect two independent clauses (and perhaps even leap tall buildings in a single bound), the semicolon packs a serious punch. Yet it’s one of the most underutilized punctuation marks among lawyers. Join the Greats who make judicious use of
Touted as the “magician” of punctuation by Noah Lukeman, the colon is as potent as it is versatile. But do you make full use of this versatility, or do you confine your colon use to more pedestrian purposes, like introducing quotes and lists? Here’s a list of several colon uses
Are you ever unsure whether you can connect those clauses with a comma, or if you need something stronger like a semicolon? The answer is one you may be familiar with: it depends! But fear not, for after this lesson the largely misunderstood comma splice will no longer afflict your
Do you know the rules for where to place commas, or do you still use the I-feel-like-there-should-be-a-pause-here method? Fear not, for the list below will ensure you have a methodical—instead of a shoot-from-the-hip—approach to comma placement. Introductory Clauses: Rule: If your sentence begins with an introductory clause of more than
Writing is vital to every part of your legal career. BriefCatch empowers you to stand out above the rest.