Great Writing: A Sign of Clear Thinking

Time spent learning to write is never wasted. Here is what Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, the founders of 37Signals, had to say about writing skills in their popular business book, Rework--

Hire Great Writers

If you are trying to decide among a few people to fill a position, hire the best writer. It doesn't matter if that person is a marketer, salesperson, designer, programmer, or whatever; their writing skills will pay off.

That's because being a good writer is about more than writing. Clear writing is a sign of clear thinking. Great writers know how to communicate. They make things easy to understand. They can put themselves in someone else's shoes. They know what to omit. And those are qualities you want in any candidate.

Writing is making a comeback all over our society. Look at how much people e-mail and text-message now rather than talk on the phone. Look at how much communication happens via instant messaging and blogging. Writing is today's currency for good ideas.

For writing tips specific to legal writing, see the Legal Writing category of Trial Practice Tips.

Comments

[Ron Miller]

It is a good rule but there are lots of exceptions too. I know some amazing lawyers who can't write a cogent sentence!