Not only is it necessary to be skilled in sentence and paragraph construction, you must also be skilled in selecting and using

words.

Avoid the use of excessive or redundant words. Check each sentence for words than can be eliminated. Simplify the finish product.

It is a group of related words used to convey information. Its is a form of redundancy that should be avoided when a single descriptive word will accomplish the same end.

It is a noun created from a verb. It weakens a sentence by taking the action away from the actor. They make the sentence passive and less forceful.

It refers to terms of art used in the legal profession that are not generally known outside the profession. Writing in plain English usually accomplishes this goal and plain English should be used when possible. Legal terms are appropriate when communicating with others in the legal field.

It is those words or phrases frequently used in the past that are being phased out of legal writing. Such terms include saith, party of the first part, aforesaid, hereinbefore, hereinafter, henceforth and the said party.

Problem Areas

Affect: a verb meaning to influence

Effect: either a verb or a noun
As a verb: means to bring about or cause
As a noun: results

Among: use when referring to three or more things Between: when referring to two

And: when used, all the items are included and required Or: when used, all the items listed are not required to be included. Any one or all of the items are included
The used of and/or creates ambiguity and is not proper.

Council: a deliberative or administrative body. Councilor: a member of such body.

Counsel: when used as a verb, means to give advice or guidance. : when used as a noun, means advice. Counselor (counsel): a person, such as a lawyer, who gives advice or guidance

Each Other: when referring to two nouns

One Another: when referring to more than two nouns

Good: is an adjective (adjectives modify nouns and pronouns). It cannot be used as an adverb(adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and adverbs).
Well: can act as an adverb or an adjective.

Lie: an intransitive verb that means to rest or recline. Its forms are lie, lay, lain, lying.
(an intransitive verb is a verb that does not take a direct object)

Lay: a transitive verb that means to put or place. Its forms are lay, laid, and laying.
(a transitive verb takes a direct object)

Like: should be used as a preposition; it should be followed by a noun or noun phrase. As: may act as a conjunction or a preposition in a sentence.

Shall: used to impose a duty that is mandatory. The performance of the duty is not optional.
May: indicates that the performance of an act is not mandatory. The performance of the act is optional.

That: use to introduce restrictive clauses Which: use to introduce a nonrestrictive clauses.
A restrictive clause is necessary to the meaning of the sentence. A nonrestrictive clause is not necessary to the meaning of the sentence. It can be set off from the rest of the sentence with commas without changing the meaning of the sentence.