A Roadmap for Persuasion
Guiding the Judge to Your Desired Outcome
Have you ever driven somewhere new and felt like the trip took forever, only to feel much shorter on the way back?
That is not just a feeling; it is psychology. When you are navigating an unfamiliar route, your brain is working overtime to process new information. You are locked onto the road ahead of you, making sure you do not miss street signs and, consequently, you are missing the scenery around you. But on the return trip, the landmarks are familiar, the path is known, and the journey feels easier.
The same principle applies when writing a legal brief.
Your goal as a legal writer is not just to persuade, but also to guide. You want to make the judge’s path to ruling in your favor as smooth, clear, and effortless as possible. One of the most effective tools for achieving this is the use of a roadmap early in your writing process.
What This Means for Legal Writing
Legal briefs should be structured with this same clarity in mind. When you begin with a roadmap—an introductory section or paragraph that outlines the structure of your argument and the key points you will make—you reduce the cognitive load on the reader. You signal to the judge what to expect, and you free them to focus on the substance of your reasoning.
A clear roadmap allows the judge to:
✔ Engage with your reasoning without distraction
✔ Follow your argument effortlessly
✔ Absorb your logic rather than struggle to find direction
Practical Strategies for Crafting a Roadmap
Here are a few tips to help you craft an effective roadmap in your legal writing:
Keep it short—usually 1-2 paragraphs at the beginning of the brief or section
Use plain language—state what the issue is and what you intend to prove
Outline your structure—let the judge know how you’ve organized the brief
Revisit it during editing—make sure your brief still follows the structure you promised
Conclusion: Clarity Drives Persuasion
When the route is clear, the mind is free to absorb the landscape. And in legal writing, that means your reader is more likely to grasp, and be persuaded by, your argument.
Don’t make the judge struggle to understand your position. Show them the path and guide them to the outcome you seek.
At Ink & Advocacy, we help attorneys craft clear, persuasive, and well-structured legal writing. Whether you need to refine your roadmaps, improve clarity, or strengthen your advocacy, we can help.
Contact me at gabriel@inkandadvocacy.com to discuss how we can support you.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
