The Center for Applied Linguistics is committed to the study and education of language and linguistic diversity. For legal professionals, mastery of complex writing and analysis is nothing new. As such, it’s perhaps surprising that those who earnestly study linguistics haven’t framed a greater connection between this and the study of the law. The good news is that by blending the language of the law with language studies, both fields benefit. While language education has always focused on precision and clarity, effective legal writing further enhances the effectiveness of linguistic expression. In the early stages of mastering a language, we learn the ins and outs of how meaning is conveyed through talking and writing. Mastering these processes, however, inevitably means learning the rules. This leads to an over-familiarity with the language but can stifle students as they attempt to give life to the words and phrases learned through their coursework. The fact is that every piece of successful legal writing has its roots in efficacy. For example, think about how the concept of precision aids both language and legal writing: To argue that complexity and sophistication are necessary elements of legal writing is to imply that they are necessary elements of language. However, this isn’t always the case. When proper care is taken to examine the particular application of legal terms and phrases, it becomes possible to blend the beauty of language with the analysis behind effective legal writing. It’s why legal professionals are often considered some of the top communicators in their field, and language is able to fill this niche. In fact, students who understand the fundamentals of grammatical rules, expectancy, and analysis will be able to interpret the legal system more effectively. This is why many dual language programs require students to begin taking legal writing classes at age 11. Over the years, these students become great critical thinkers capable of explaining complex ideas in concise terms. As with a well written sentence, persuasive writing aimed at convincing a reader of one specific point of view often requires more than it seems. When writing a persuasive piece, legal professionals typically use the following: While it’s possible to generate narratives without regard to persuasion, the fact is that any wordsmith who truly has something to say would do well to employ the elements of persuasion already covered. By doing so, they open a pathway toward greater success in their field. Both legal writing and the language of the law require the ability to demonstrate analytic thought. In turn, this makes it possible for those who have mastered these subjects to engage readers and listeners with masterfully crafted ideas. Still, there is also a narrative component, which is where legal writing and linguistics begin to diverge. To elaborate is to explain. In blending legal writing principles with language education, educators can help students not only acquire a deep understanding of grammar and expectation, but also apply these principles to the real world.