Law School Admission Test for federal honors / N/A Writing Skills and Professional Communication Assessment Syllabus

What is the difference between 'its' and 'it's'?

'Its' is the possessive form (the agency lost its file); 'it's' is the contraction of 'it is' or 'it has' (it's overdue).

What is the Oxford (serial) comma?

The comma placed before the final 'and' or 'or' in a list of three or more items (red, white, and blue). It is recommended in formal and legal writing to prevent ambiguity.

How are restrictive (essential) and nonrestrictive (nonessential) clauses punctuated?

Nonrestrictive clauses are set off with commas because they add extra information ('The suspect, who fled, was caught'). Restrictive clauses are not set off because they are essential ('The suspect who fled was caught').

When should you use 'that' versus 'which' in clauses?

Use 'that' for restrictive (essential) clauses with no comma; use 'which' for nonrestrictive (nonessential) clauses set off by commas. Example: 'The report that was filed' vs. 'The report, which was filed late, ...'

What is the difference between 'affect' and 'effect'?

'Affect' is usually a verb meaning to influence (The delay affected the case). 'Effect' is usually a noun meaning result (The delay had an effect); as a verb 'effect' means to bring about (to effect change).

What is the difference between 'their,' 'there,' and 'they're'?

'Their' is possessive (their files); 'there' refers to a place or is an expletive (over there; there is); 'they're' is the contraction of 'they are.'

What is the difference between 'principal' and 'principle'?

'Principal' means main/most important or a person in charge (the principal reason). 'Principle' is a noun meaning a rule or fundamental truth (a guiding principle).

What is the difference between 'ensure,' 'insure,' and 'assure'?

'Ensure' means to make certain something happens; 'insure' refers to financial insurance; 'assure' means to reassure a person.

What is the difference between 'fewer' and 'less'?

Use 'fewer' for countable items (fewer reports); use 'less' for uncountable quantities or mass nouns (less paperwork, less time).

What is the difference between 'complement' and 'compliment'?

'Complement' means to complete or go well with something. 'Compliment' means an expression of praise.

What is the difference between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'?

'i.e.' means 'that is' (used to clarify/restate). 'e.g.' means 'for example' (used to give examples).

What is wordiness in writing, and why eliminate it?

Using more words than necessary to convey meaning. Eliminating it improves clarity, readability, and professionalism by removing filler that dilutes the message.

What is redundancy (a pleonasm)? Give an example.

Unnecessary repetition of meaning using extra words. Examples: 'free gift,' 'past history,' 'advance planning,' 'each and every,' 'absolutely essential.' Remove the redundant word.

How can you tighten wordy phrases like 'due to the fact that' or 'in order to'?

Replace them with single words: 'due to the fact that' → 'because'; 'in order to' → 'to'; 'at this point in time' → 'now'; 'in the event that' → 'if.'

How does converting passive voice to active voice reduce wordiness?

Active voice names the actor before the action ('The officer filed the report'), using fewer words and stating responsibility clearly, whereas passive voice ('The report was filed by the officer') adds words and can hide the actor.

What makes a strong topic sentence in a paragraph?

It states the paragraph's main idea clearly and controls its content, usually appearing first, so every other sentence in the paragraph supports or develops that single idea.

What is the principle of paragraph unity?

A paragraph should develop only one main idea; every sentence must relate to and support the topic sentence. Unrelated ideas belong in a separate paragraph.

What are common logical orders for sequencing ideas in writing?

Chronological (time order), spatial (by location), order of importance (most-to-least or least-to-most), cause and effect, and general-to-specific (or specific-to-general).

Why is chronological order preferred in incident and investigative narratives?

It presents events in the exact sequence they occurred, making the account easy to follow, reducing confusion, and allowing the reader to reconstruct what happened step by step.

What is tone in professional writing?

The writer's attitude conveyed through word choice and style toward the subject and reader. Professional writing maintains a consistent, neutral, respectful, and businesslike tone.

What does consistency of verb tense mean, and why does it matter?

Keeping the same tense throughout a passage unless the meaning requires a shift. Inconsistent tense (jumping between past and present) confuses the timeline and reduces clarity; past tense is standard for completed reports.

What are transitional words and what is their purpose?

Words and phrases (however, therefore, moreover, in addition, consequently, meanwhile) that connect ideas, signal relationships between sentences/paragraphs, and guide the reader smoothly from one point to the next.

Match the relationship to its transition: contrast, addition, cause/effect, sequence.

Contrast: however, although, on the other hand. Addition: also, furthermore, moreover. Cause/effect: therefore, consequently, as a result. Sequence: first, next, then, finally.

What is coherence in writing?

The quality of ideas flowing logically and clearly so the reader can follow the connections; achieved through logical order, transitions, consistent point of view, and repeated key terms or parallel structure.

What makes a narrative objective and fact-based?

It reports only verifiable facts and direct observations, avoids personal opinions, assumptions, conclusions, and emotionally loaded language, and distinguishes what was observed from what was inferred or reported by others.

What are the '5 W's and H' that a complete report must document?

Who (persons involved), What (what happened), When (date and time), Where (location), Why (reason or cause), and How (the manner or method in which it occurred).

What is the difference between a fact, an inference, and an opinion in report writing?

A fact is objectively verifiable; an inference is a conclusion drawn from facts; an opinion is a personal belief. Official narratives should state facts and clearly label any inferences, avoiding unsupported opinions.

What three qualities define an effective official record, and what does each mean?

Accuracy (information is correct and verifiable), completeness (all relevant facts/the 5W's+H are included), and clarity/unambiguity (only one possible interpretation, with specific rather than vague wording).

How do you avoid ambiguity in official writing?

Use specific, concrete details (exact names, times, measurements) instead of vague terms (some, a few, soon, large); keep pronoun references clear; place modifiers correctly; and define or avoid jargon.

What are the standard characteristics of professional official correspondence?

A clear purpose stated early, accurate and complete information, professional and respectful tone, correct grammar and spelling, appropriate format (proper salutation/closing), conciseness, and proofreading before sending.