Bryan A. Garner is arguably the most influential voice on English usage, legal writing, and effective communication since Strunk and White. As the editor-in-chief of Black's Law Dictionary and the author of dozens of books, including the indispensable Garner's Modern English Usage and The Elements of Legal Style, his teachings champion clarity, precision, and a deep respect for the reader.

Part 1: The Foundation – Clarity, Simplicity, and the Reader

For Garner, the writer's primary duty is to the reader. This principle informs every piece of advice he offers.

  1. "Writing is a social act. You're not writing for yourself; you're writing for a reader."
  2. "The first rule of good writing is to be clear. The second rule is to be interesting."
  3. "Clarity is the writer's most important asset."
  4. "Good writers make complex ideas simple; bad writers make simple ideas complex."
  5. "Write to express, not to impress. If you write to impress, you will not express."
  6. "Never assume your readers are familiar with your subject. You are the expert; they are not."
  7. "The highest compliment you can pay a reader is to be clear."
  8. "Simplicity is not a sign of intellectual weakness. It is a sign of intellectual strength."
  9. "Jargon is the lazy writer's substitute for thought."
  10. "The goal is to make your writing seem effortless, even though it is the result of great effort."

Part 2: The Process – Thinking, Drafting, and Revising

Garner demystifies the writing process, breaking it down into manageable, logical steps with a heavy emphasis on revision.

  1. "Writing is thinking. To write well, you must think clearly."
  2. "The best writers are the most tenacious revisers."
  3. "Don't try to get it right the first time. Just try to get it written."
  4. "The three stages of writing are: madness, misery, and magic. The madness is the first draft. The misery is the revision. The magic is the final product."
  5. "A good writer is a good editor of his own work."
  6. "Read your prose aloud. Your ear will catch what your eye misses."
  7. "The best way to improve your writing is to read constantly."
  8. "Never publish your first draft."
  9. "The secret to good writing is to rewrite, rewrite, rewrite."
  10. "Every word should have a purpose. If a word is not doing any work, get rid of it."

Part 3: Grammar and Usage – The Tools of the Trade

As a leading lexicographer and grammarian, Garner provides authoritative guidance on the nuts and bolts of the English language.

  1. "The rules of grammar are not arbitrary. They are the conventions that make communication possible."
  2. "A split infinitive is not a grammatical error. It is a stylistic choice." (He famously advocates for the "judicious" split infinitive when it improves clarity).
  3. "The serial comma (or Oxford comma) is a powerful tool for clarity. Use it."
  4. "Dangling modifiers are the bane of clear writing."
  5. "The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug." (A quote from Mark Twain that Garner frequently uses).
  6. "'That' and 'which' are not interchangeable. 'That' introduces a restrictive clause; 'which' introduces a nonrestrictive one."
  7. "The passive voice is not a grammatical error, but it is often a stylistic one. It is weak, wordy, and evasive."
  8. "A preposition is not a bad word to end a sentence with."
  9. "Language is always changing, but that doesn't mean that anything goes." He advocates for a "language-change index" to track the acceptance of new usages.
  10. "The goal is to be a descriptive grammarian, not a prescriptive one. But you must know the rules before you can break them."

Garner has dedicated much of his career to reforming the notoriously dense prose of law and business.

  1. "The first rule of legal writing is to be a good writer."
  2. "Avoid legalese. It is a form of professional vanity."
  3. "In legal writing, precision is paramount. But precision does not require verbosity."
  4. "The 'deep issue' is the question that you are trying to answer. State it clearly and up front."
  5. "Use headings and subheadings to guide your reader through your document."
  6. "The table of contents is the most important part of a long legal document."
  7. "In business writing, the bottom line should be at the top." This is the principle of "front-loading" your message.
  8. "A good business letter is short, clear, and to the point."
  9. "Avoid 'corporate-speak.' It is a form of jargon that alienates readers."
  10. "The goal of a legal argument is not to win, but to persuade."

Part 5: The Writer's Mindset

Garner's advice extends beyond mechanics to the habits and attitudes that define a successful writer.

  1. "A writer is someone who writes. It's not a title; it's a practice."
  2. "Good writers are good thieves. They steal from the best." (On the importance of emulating great prose).
  3. "The writer's life is a lonely one. But it is also a rewarding one."
  4. "Don't be afraid to have a point of view. A neutral voice is a boring voice."
  5. "The best writers are the most curious people."
  6. "Humility is a writer's greatest virtue. You must be willing to learn and to be corrected."
  7. "A writer's tools are his books. Surround yourself with good ones." (He is a staunch advocate for owning a good dictionary and usage guide).
  8. "The desire to write is not enough. You must have the discipline to write."
  9. "Writing is a craft, not an art. It can be learned."
  10. "The greatest reward for a writer is to be read and understood."

Bryan A. Garner's teachings are most comprehensively found in his numerous books. His website and social media presence also offer daily insights.

  • Books:
    • Garner's Modern English Usage: The definitive, comprehensive guide to English usage. It is an essential desk reference for any serious writer.
    • The Elements of Legal Style: Modeled on Strunk and White's classic, this book is the go-to guide for clear and persuasive legal writing.
    • The Winning Brief: 100 Telltale Tips for Persuasive Briefing in Trial and Appellate Courts: A masterclass in legal persuasion.
    • HBR Guide to Better Business Writing: A concise and practical guide applying his principles to the corporate world.
  • Website and Social Media:
    • LawProse.org: The official website for Garner's training and consulting company, featuring articles and resources.
    • Garner's Usage Tip of the Day: A must-follow for daily micro-lessons in writing and usage.