In September 2021, in the Wall Street Journal, LawProse founder and leader Bryan A. Garner reviewed Justice Stephen Breyer’s edifying new book The Authority of the Court and the Peril of Politics (Harvard, 2021). If you read the print edition, it’s on page A13. If you have an online subscription, you can read it here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-authority-of-the-court-and-the-peril-of-politics-review-on-judicial-supremacy-11631052401.
Now for the writing tip. As you’re reading, consider that a good essay, book review, motion, brief, etc. ties the conclusion to the opening. This tie creates an arc to the writing. In journalism, it’s best if the linkage you supply is clever, unexpected, and intellectually satisfying. If you’re able to read the review, we hope you’ll agree that Professor Garner has provided us a good example.
Further reading on conclusions in legal writing:
The Elements of Legal Style 58–59 (2d ed. 2002).
Legal Writing in Plain English 71 (2d ed. 2013).
Making Your Case: The Art of Persuading Judges 37–38, 100–01 (2008).
The Winning Brief 604–10 (3d ed. 2014).