Legal Writing

What is a battle royal?

The reference from page 1A last week might have puzzled some readers.

Is it "battle royale" or "battle royal"? A "battle royal" is an all-out fight to the finish. The most famous reference to a "battle royal" is in Ralph Ellison's powerful novel "Invisible Man," one of the 100 best novels.

"Battle royale" is in literature, too. It's the title of a novel by Japanese writer Koushun Takami about young people in a police state who must fight to the finish.

I think battle royal is what we needed here.

Full post as published by Triangle Grammar Guide on February 10, 2008 (boomark / email).