LEGAL ENGLISH
UNIT 1: ESSAY WRITING
1. Text plan
2. Processes of writing
2.1. Planning
a) generating content, assembling information
b) selecting and grouping points
c) establishing a perspective
d) historical, geographical, thematic, personal, objective, Belgian or British?
e) determining an intention
f) one or both sides? examples? persuade the reader? descriptive or suggest
remedies?
g) drafting paragraph themes (text plan)
h) writing the body of your text
i) formulating a title, structuring the introduction and conclusion
1
,2.2. Writing proper
Your opinion
To my mind … Naar mijn idee …
In my opinion … In mijn mening …
It would seem that … Het lijkt erop dat …
Refer to sources
Avoid the use of first-person pronouns (I, we or it)
Avoid the use of second-person pronouns (you)
Use of questions, orders, exclamations
Questions
What, now, are the financial Wat zijn nu de financiële gevolgen
consequences of these proposals? van deze voorstellen?
Orders = TO INTRODUCE EXAMPLES!!
Consider the following examples. Neem de volgende voorbeelden in
overweging.
Compare the situation in France, Vergelijk de situatie in Frankrijk,
whereas the taxes on cigarettes are terwijl de belastingen op sigaretten
much lower. veel lager zijn.
Note that this point can already be Merk op dat dit punt al te vinden is in
found in the work of Aristotle. het werk van Aristoteles.
Exclamations = AVOID!!
What needless suffering to inflict on Wat een onnodig lijden voor deze
innocent animals! onschuldige dieren!
It is scandalous that such needless Het is schandalig dat zo’n
suffering should be inflicted on onschuldige dieren onnodig moeten
innocent animals. lijden.
Use complete sentences
Avoid using subscripts (3rd)
Do not use contracted forms (didn’t)
Dates: 3 October 2019
Make sure the text is not directly linked to the time of writing (today)
2
, 2.3. Editing
Three levels:
1. Macro level 2. Meso level 3. Micro level
• checking that the entire • checking within • Checking within
text is well-structured paragraphs how the sentences whether the
and corresponding with information has been chosen formulations
its stated aim. divided over sentences, contribute to forceful
and whether the argumentation.
• checking that the appropriate grammatical
paragraphs are of constructions have been • Checking on a range of
roughly equal length and used. matters of usage and
weight, and properly correct spelling.
structured. • checking how the
coherence of the text • Checking whether the
has been reflected in the references to other texts
use of cohesion and are accurate and
punctuation marks. properly presented.
The title:
Choose one which both ‘cathces the eye’ and ‘hugs the contents’
Short
Immediately understandable
Neutral
Ending:
Summary and/ or conclusion
Repeat the thesis statement
3. Vocabulary
The motion was withdrawn after all. De motie werd toch ingetrokken.
The audience’s reaction was highly Het publiek was zeer enthousiast in zijn
enthusiastic. reactie.
This will mean paying more attention to Dit betekent: meer aandacht voor de
tigers’ chances of survival. overlevingskans van tijgers.
As far as their status in law is concerned, Wat hun wettelijke status betreft: ze blijven
they remain illegal. illegaal.
3
UNIT 1: ESSAY WRITING
1. Text plan
2. Processes of writing
2.1. Planning
a) generating content, assembling information
b) selecting and grouping points
c) establishing a perspective
d) historical, geographical, thematic, personal, objective, Belgian or British?
e) determining an intention
f) one or both sides? examples? persuade the reader? descriptive or suggest
remedies?
g) drafting paragraph themes (text plan)
h) writing the body of your text
i) formulating a title, structuring the introduction and conclusion
1
,2.2. Writing proper
Your opinion
To my mind … Naar mijn idee …
In my opinion … In mijn mening …
It would seem that … Het lijkt erop dat …
Refer to sources
Avoid the use of first-person pronouns (I, we or it)
Avoid the use of second-person pronouns (you)
Use of questions, orders, exclamations
Questions
What, now, are the financial Wat zijn nu de financiële gevolgen
consequences of these proposals? van deze voorstellen?
Orders = TO INTRODUCE EXAMPLES!!
Consider the following examples. Neem de volgende voorbeelden in
overweging.
Compare the situation in France, Vergelijk de situatie in Frankrijk,
whereas the taxes on cigarettes are terwijl de belastingen op sigaretten
much lower. veel lager zijn.
Note that this point can already be Merk op dat dit punt al te vinden is in
found in the work of Aristotle. het werk van Aristoteles.
Exclamations = AVOID!!
What needless suffering to inflict on Wat een onnodig lijden voor deze
innocent animals! onschuldige dieren!
It is scandalous that such needless Het is schandalig dat zo’n
suffering should be inflicted on onschuldige dieren onnodig moeten
innocent animals. lijden.
Use complete sentences
Avoid using subscripts (3rd)
Do not use contracted forms (didn’t)
Dates: 3 October 2019
Make sure the text is not directly linked to the time of writing (today)
2
, 2.3. Editing
Three levels:
1. Macro level 2. Meso level 3. Micro level
• checking that the entire • checking within • Checking within
text is well-structured paragraphs how the sentences whether the
and corresponding with information has been chosen formulations
its stated aim. divided over sentences, contribute to forceful
and whether the argumentation.
• checking that the appropriate grammatical
paragraphs are of constructions have been • Checking on a range of
roughly equal length and used. matters of usage and
weight, and properly correct spelling.
structured. • checking how the
coherence of the text • Checking whether the
has been reflected in the references to other texts
use of cohesion and are accurate and
punctuation marks. properly presented.
The title:
Choose one which both ‘cathces the eye’ and ‘hugs the contents’
Short
Immediately understandable
Neutral
Ending:
Summary and/ or conclusion
Repeat the thesis statement
3. Vocabulary
The motion was withdrawn after all. De motie werd toch ingetrokken.
The audience’s reaction was highly Het publiek was zeer enthousiast in zijn
enthusiastic. reactie.
This will mean paying more attention to Dit betekent: meer aandacht voor de
tigers’ chances of survival. overlevingskans van tijgers.
As far as their status in law is concerned, Wat hun wettelijke status betreft: ze blijven
they remain illegal. illegaal.
3
