Legislative Style,Syntax And Expression

1. Apply basic principles of legislative syntax and expression.
2. Comply with standard drafting conventions for punctuation.
3. Compose unambiguous and error-free legislative sentences.
4. Convert instructions into clear and comprehensive legislative sentences.
5. Apply stylistic devices to enhance effectiveness and clarity.
6. Develop a personal drafting style within Nigerian conventions.

13 weeks, about 48 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: How Do We Compose & Express Legislative Sentences?

   • Unit 1: How to compose legislative sentences · 3 hours

     Understand the essential processes involved in writing: analysis, design, composition, and scrutiny.. Identify your personal approach to writing difficult sentences.. Review Coode's principles of legislative syntax and their relevance to modern drafting..

   • Unit 2: Types of legislative sentences · 3 hours

     Examine examples of simple sentences that give effect to particular kinds of rules.. Note the differences between various types of legislative sentences.. Consider alternative ways in which drafters may treat the same material..

2. Week 2Module 1: How Do We Compose & Express Legislative Sentences?

   • Unit 3: The principal subject · 3 hours

     Learn how to select the grammatical subject of a legislative sentence.. Understand how to decide which legal person should be the grammatical subject.. Explore factors that influence the choice of terms for the subject..

3. Week 3Module 1: How Do We Compose & Express Legislative Sentences?

   • Unit 4: The principal predicate · 3 hours

     Learn how to decide on the principal predicate of a legislative sentence.. Understand how to draft the principal predicate effectively.. Explore how to select the appropriate verb for the principal predicate..

4. Week 4Module 1: How Do We Compose & Express Legislative Sentences?

   • Unit 5: Choosing the appropriate Auxiliary · 3 hours

     Learn how to draft a command, power, competence, right, qualification, liability, privilege, and direction.. Understand the nuances of using auxiliaries like 'shall,' 'must,' and 'may' in different contexts..

5. Week 5Module 1: How Do We Compose & Express Legislative Sentences?

   • Unit 6: Predicate modifiers & Context clauses · 3 hours

     Understand predicate modifiers and how they refine the meaning of the main clause.. Learn how to draft, introduce, and place context clauses effectively.. Explore the use of conditional and relative clauses in legislative sentences..

6. Week 6Module 2: How Do We Punctuate Legislation?

   • Unit 1: Punctuating Legislation I · 3 hours

     Understand the function of punctuation in legislation and its impact on interpretation.. Learn how drafters use punctuation and how it differs from general writing.. Explore the use of full stops, colons, dashes, and semi-colons in legislative sentences..

7. Week 7Module 2: How Do We Punctuate Legislation?

   • Unit 2: Punctuating Legislation II · 3 hours

     Learn how to use brackets, commas, inverted commas, hyphens, and apostrophes effectively.. Understand the specific rules and conventions for using these punctuation marks in legislative drafting..

8. Week 8Module 2: How Do We Punctuate Legislation?

   • Unit 3: Use of Capital Letters · 3 hours

     Understand when to use capital letters in legislative drafting.. Learn when not to use capital letters and follow standard conventions.. Explore the typical legislative uses of capital letters and their impact on clarity..

9. Week 9Module 3: What Can Go Wrong In Legislative Expression?

   • Unit 1: What can go wrong with subjects? · 3 hours

     Identify common drafting errors related to subjects in legislative sentences.. Learn how to avoid imprecise linking of several subjects.. Understand how to prevent ambiguous modifying of subjects and imprecise use of pronouns..

10. Week 10Module 3: What Can Go Wrong In Legislative Expression?

    • Unit 2: What can go wrong with verbs? · 3 hours

      Identify common drafting errors related to verbs in legislative sentences.. Learn how to avoid imprecise linking of several verbs.. Understand how to prevent ambiguous modifying of verbs and ambiguous use of participles..

11. Week 11Module 3: What Can Go Wrong In Legislative Expression?

    • Unit 3: What can go wrong with modifiers? · 3 hours

      Identify common drafting errors related to modifiers in legislative sentences.. Learn how to avoid defective sentence modification.. Understand how to prevent ambiguous prepositions and uncertain conjunctions..

12. Week 12Module 4: How Can We Develop an Effective Legislative Style?

    • Unit 1: General Considerations · 3 hours

      Understand the importance of indicating the purposes of legislation and using broad terms.. Learn how to make legislation consistent by using the same expression for the same meaning.. Explore how to use definitions for key concepts to ensure clarity and precision..

    • Unit 2: Developing a good legislative style · 3 hours

      Learn how to improve communication by creating a logical structure and sequencing of provisions.. Understand the importance of providing finding aids and using a clear layout and format.. Explore how to improve clarity by writing directly and avoiding complex expressions..

13. Week 13Final Revision

    • Unit 5: Should we draft in a gender-neutral style? · 3 hours

      Understand the principles of gender-neutral drafting and how to implement them.. Learn how to use gender-neutral terms, repeat nouns, and use 'he or she' to avoid gender-specific pronouns.. Explore how to restructure sentences to eliminate gender bias and promote inclusivity..

    • Final Revision · 3 hours

      Review all modules and units covered in the course.. Practice drafting legislative sentences and applying stylistic devices.. Prepare for final examinations by focusing on key concepts and principles..