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The 11th Cir. just issued an order denying the GOP's latest attempt to overturn election results, this time in Georgia. And while the opinion has plenty for procedure nerds to love, I'm going to focus on the aspects of Judge Brasher's opinion that us style nerds love. /1
Here's the opinion: https://www.democracydocket.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/2020/11/20-14480_Powell-Appeal-Order-Denied.pdf /2
First, the straightforward issue presented and answer right at the beginning. /3
Next, the avoidance of specific dates ("November 25th" "November 27th" etc.) in favor of descriptors that provide just the information the reader needs: /4
Another example: /5
Sometimes, you don't even need to identify the specific day at all: /6
Here's a great example of a case comparison. After describing two earlier 11th Circuit decisions that granted TROs, Judge Brasher makes this straightforward point. Notice how he doesn't need to set it up with "Obviously" or some other intensifer; the facts do the work. /7
Great example here of varying sentence length. The paragraph builds from short sentences to long ones. It's got great flow. /8
One last thing I liked: This sentence, which is exactly the right kind of whimsical. It makes the point in a really nice way without trying too hard to be fun. /9
And finally, one thing I'd tweak: this missing "that." It's easy to eliminate
"that" to make sentences slightly more succinct, but doing so sometimes leads the reader momentarily astray. I'd add a "that" after "concede" here. /10
"that" to make sentences slightly more succinct, but doing so sometimes leads the reader momentarily astray. I'd add a "that" after "concede" here. /10
That's it for now. Happy reading! /fin