Includes bibliographical references and index (p. I-1 - I-5).

WHY STATUTORY AND RULE DRAFTING IS SO POOR AND HOW TO IMPROVE IT: The never ending struggle -- THE SPECIAL ENVIRONMENT OF DRAFTING STATUTES AND RULES: How statutes get made in a legislative body -- Federal administrative and court rulemaking -- State rulemaking -- Statutes and rules in the courts -- CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGISLATIVE RULES GOVERNING STRUCTURE OF A BILL: Mandatory form and language -- Arrangement of bill sections -- PRINCIPLES OF DRAFTING STATUTES AND RULES IN PLAIN ENGLISH: The effect of structure and style on substance -- The drafting process -- Plain English principles on word choice -- Ambiguous and other troublesome words -- Plain English principles and rules on drafting a sentence -- Rules on drafting specific provisions or words -- Appendix. Examples of bills and ordinance.