NFPA Paralegal Core Competency Exam (PCCE)Legal Writing and CommunicationEasy
A paralegal is reviewing a draft complaint prepared by a junior associate. The complaint contains several instances of passive voice, lengthy sentences with multiple clauses, and technical jargon that is not clearly defined. Which legal writing principle is most significantly violated by these stylistic choices?
- AAccuracy
- BClarity
- CObjectivity
- DCompleteness
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Clarity
Passive voice, overly long sentences, and undefined jargon all directly impede the reader's ability to easily understand the text, thus violating the principle of clarity in legal writing.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Accuracy refers to factual and legal correctness, not stylistic choices.
- C. Objectivity relates to presenting information neutrally, which is not primarily affected by passive voice or sentence length.
- D. Completeness refers to including all necessary information, which is not directly addressed by stylistic issues.
Clarity in Legal Writing
The principle that legal documents should be easily understood by the intended audience, avoiding ambiguity, unnecessary complexity, and jargon where simpler language suffices.
- Achieved through plain language and active voice.
- Requires conciseness and logical organization.
- Enhances persuasiveness and reduces misinterpretation.
Memory trick: C-A-C-O for Clear, Accurate, Concise, Objective.