Clarity

On writing . . .

A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. ~William Strunk, Jr., The Elements of Style, 1918

Also from an article in the May edition of the ABA Journal on the new book by Antonin Scalia and Bryan A. Garner "Making Your Case, The Art of Persuading Judges"

Value clarity above all and make your points and ask for relief in a blunt, straightforward manner.

Example:

Wrong:

The undersigned counsel do hereby for and on behalf of their clients, for the reasons explained hereinbelow, respectfully request that this Honorable Court consider and hereby rule that no issues of material fact do exist in the instant controversy, and that a final judgment be entered in favor of the client of the undersigned counsel (sometimes herein referred to as “Defendant” or “Cross-Plaintiff”) and against Plaintiff.

Right:

Johnson requests entry of summary judgment.

Clarity is amply justified on the ground that it ensures you’ll be understood. If your arguments are clear it will be harder for your opponent to mischaracterize them.

Whereas this seems to make lots of sense, I heretofore and hereinafter will strive to above all else be clear.