Legal Writing

I heard once about a psych-out technique to use if you're playing tennis against a tough opponent. After watching your opponent warm up, you say to him or her, "As I've been watching you, I've finally realized how to improve my backhand. It's the way you hold your thumb. How do you do that exactly?"

Unless your opponent is on to you, he or she will probably say, "Gee, I don't know. I've never thought about it."

"Well, think about it," you say. "I'll really appreciate any advice."

Then you start the match. If your opponent has fallen into your trap, he or she will be focusing on that thumb, perhaps for the first time--not on the ball, not on the net, not on the lines on the court. And this fact may give you the edge you need.

That's how drafting works. If, while you draft, you're focusing on spelling, punctuation, grammar, and the hundreds of other things you can (and should) fix later, then you won't write as clearly and coherently as you could. This week, pay no attention to your metaphorical thumb. You'll play a better game.