Read to Improve Your Writing (And Maybe Ace That Next Interview)

Writing skills are an absolute prerequisite in the legal industry. Many sources exist with tips for improving your writing skills, but an often overlooked method of writing skill improvement is, simply, to read.

Books, seminars, courses, and experts abound on the subject of writing clearly and effectively in the law. Most focus on the critical components of writing: getting started, organizing, building structural elements, crafting persuasive arguments, proofreading and citation. Many also advise their audience to write more often in order to refine and improve upon writing skills. What you might not expect is that many of them also recommend that you read, as avidly and broadly as possible, for “eyes-on” exposure to skilled writing and an array of writing styles.

One of our greatest novels in history is celebrating its 50th anniversary this summer: the Pulitzer-Prize-winning classic To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. Many in the legal profession consider Atticus Finch, the lawyer on whom the novel centers, a hero—not only in his practice, but also in his personal dedication to the law. In fact, one local publication, the Texas Lawyer, has an ongoing section on “Atticus Finch” moments— that is, the moment each person profiled made the decision to practice law. Many respondents directly trace their career decision to the moment when they completed To Kill a Mockingbird, which is as fine an example of American writing as exists.

Clarity, persuasion, description, mastery of the language, and intellectual stimulation are all hallmarks of the finest novels. Of course, not all novels have the impact of To Kill a Mockingbird, but reading a variety of literature will enhance your communication skills as it will demonstrate the essentials and effectiveness of writing. The varied styles of different authors will help sharpen your own writing style and refine it to the greatest effect.

Finding the time to read is worth your effort, no matter how busy your schedule, as your experience, knowledge and intellectual depth improve with each reading. And you just never know when it may also help you land your next job. One close friend of mine decided to read all of the great Russian novels during a law school summer break. Later that summer, while interviewing for an associate position, he legitimately (and happily) responded to the all too common interview question, “What is the last book you read?” His answer: “War and Peace.” Hired.