FIFTY TIPS FOR WRITING THE 21ST CENTURY CONTRACT THAT STAYS OUT OF COURT
二十一世紀寫好合同的五十招

作者：James.Martin
譯者：胡清平

Published in The Florida Bar Journal, Nov. 2000
（本文於2000年11月發表於美國佛羅裏達州的律師雜誌上）
Note: This article is for background purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.
作者注：本文僅供參考，並不旨在提供法律意見
譯者注：翻譯本文並未得到原作者同意，故譯文僅供學習和研究使用.

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Welcome to the 21st Century. Where practicing law requires us to don the garb of computers and the Internet. And where litigation is as costly as ever. Lawyer bills running $10,000 a month are not unusual in a hotly contested breach of contract lawsuit. With every word, phrase and sentence carrying the potential for winning or losing, the stakes are high. Simple logic, therefore, directs us to cautious and thoughtful drafting.

xinshijidedaolai，yaoqiuwomenzaifalvshijianzhongyinggaiduoyongdiannaohehulianwang，buguo
，susongchengbenhaishinamedigao，mianduiriyijingzhengjiliedeweiyuesusong
，lvshimeiyuekaichu1wanmeiyuandezhangdanyeshichangyoudeshi。hetongzhongdemeiyigezi
，meiyigeci，meiyijuhua
，douyiweizheqianzaideshuhuoying，huanjuhuashuo，yazaizheshangmianxiadeduzhuyehenda
，suoyi，zaiqicaohetongshiyaobawoliangtiaoyuanze：小心謹慎和深思熟慮。

Drafting contracts is actually one of the simple pleasures of practicing law. Just 3 years ago at this Convention I presented 50 tips for contract writing. This article updates those tips in the context of our new tools and abilities. Following these tips could result in your writing a contract so clear no one will want to litigate it, saving your client from the trials and tribulations of litigation, truly a good reason to write the contract that stays out of court.

然而
，起草合同的確又是法律實踐中一件有意思的事兒。大約三年前，也是在這樣一個會議上，我提出了合同起草的50招。本文在那些招數的基礎上，結合一些新的工具和技能，推出了下麵這個新版本,但願它們能幫助你起草無可挑剔的合同
，讓你的客戶免受訴訟的困擾。

These tips apply to writing all kinds of agreements: office leases, real estate contracts, sales agreements, employment contracts, equipment leases, prenuptial agreements. They even apply to stipulations and settlements in litigation, where you want an agreement so clear that it avoids future litigation. Wherever clarity and simplicity are important, these tips will guide you there. The Appendix provides a few sample forms to illustrate these tips.

這些招數適用於各種合同，比如，辦公租賃合同、不動產合同、買賣合同
、勞動合同、設備租賃合同、婚hun前qian協xie議yi。同tong樣yang，如ru果guo你ni不bu想xiang讓rang你ni在zai訴su訟song中zhong所suo起qi草cao的de和he解jie條tiao款kuan與yu協xie議yi再zai起qi爭zheng議yi的de話hua，也ye可ke以yi參can考kao一yi下xia這zhe些xie招zhao數shu。另ling外wai，通tong過guo了le解jie這zhe些xie招zhao數shu
，你ni就jiu會hui明ming白bai，起qi草cao合he同tong，清qing晰xi

、簡明是多麼地重要。本文的附錄提供了一些簡單的法律文書範本-----這將有助於你理解這些招數。

Before You Write the First Word
第一部分：在動筆之前

1. Ask your client to list the deal points. This can be in the form of a list, outline or narration. Doing this will help the client focus on the terms of the agreement.

1.要求你的客戶列出合同交易的要點，也可以說是合同的清單、目錄或概述。這一招首先幫助你的客戶弄清合同的重點所在。

2. Engage your client in "what if" scenarios. A good contract will anticipate many possible factual situations and express the parties' understanding in case those facts arise. Talking to your client about this will generate many issues you may not otherwise consider.

2.讓(rang)你(ni)的(de)客(ke)戶(hu)提(ti)供(gong)一(yi)些(xie)假(jia)設(she)可(ke)能(neng)發(fa)生(sheng)的(de)情(qing)況(kuang)。好(hao)的(de)合(he)同(tong)不(bu)僅(jin)能(neng)夠(gou)預(yu)見(jian)到(dao)許(xu)多(duo)可(ke)能(neng)發(fa)生(sheng)的(de)情(qing)況(kuang)，而(er)且(qie)還(hai)能(neng)清(qing)楚(chu)地(di)描(miao)述(shu)出(chu)發(fa)生(sheng)這(zhe)些(xie)情(qing)況(kuang)後(hou)合(he)同(tong)雙(shuang)方(fang)的(de)立(li)場(chang)。和(he)客(ke)戶(hu)聊(liao)這(zhe)些(xie)情(qing)況(kuang)將(jiang)有(you)助(zhu)於(yu)你(ni)發(fa)現(xian)一(yi)些(xie)你(ni)可(ke)能(neng)沒(mei)有(you)考(kao)慮(lv)到(dao)的(de)問(wen)題(ti)。

3. Ask your client for a similar contract. Frequently, clients have had similar transactions in the past or they have access to contracts for similar transactions.

3.請求你的客戶提供類似的合同。通常情況下，客戶都保留著過去的交易記錄或者是類似合同。

4. Search your office computer or the Internet for a similar form. Many times you can find a similar form on your computer. It may be one you prepared for another client or one you negotiated with another lawyer. Just remember to find and replace the old client's name. Starting with an existing form saves time and avoids the errors of typing. Here are some Web sites where you can find forms:
http://www.flcourts.org /
http://www.flabarrpptl.org/library.html
http://www.gate.net /~wyman/flo.html
http://www.westgroup.com
http://www.lexis.com /

4.在(zai)辦(ban)公(gong)室(shi)的(de)電(dian)腦(nao)中(zhong)或(huo)是(shi)在(zai)因(yin)特(te)網(wang)上(shang)搜(sou)索(suo)類(lei)似(si)的(de)合(he)同(tong)範(fan)本(ben)。通(tong)常(chang)你(ni)會(hui)在(zai)你(ni)的(de)電(dian)腦(nao)上(shang)找(zhao)到(dao)你(ni)想(xiang)要(yao)的(de)東(dong)西(xi)，這(zhe)些(xie)類(lei)似(si)的(de)合(he)同(tong)範(fan)本(ben)要(yao)麼(me)是(shi)你(ni)給(gei)其(qi)他(ta)客(ke)戶(hu)準(zhun)備(bei)的(de)，要(yao)麼(me)是(shi)你(ni)和(he)其(qi)他(ta)的(de)律(lv)師(shi)共(gong)同(tong)協(xie)商(shang)起(qi)草(cao)的(de)。使(shi)用(yong)這(zhe)些(xie)舊(jiu)合(he)同(tong)可(ke)以(yi)為(wei)你(ni)節(jie)省(sheng)時(shi)間(jian)和(he)避(bi)免(mian)打(da)印(yin)錯(cuo)誤(wu)，不(bu)過(guo)，用(yong)這(zhe)些(xie)合(he)同(tong)範(fan)本(ben)時(shi)別(bie)忘(wang)了(le)替(ti)換(huan)掉(diao)老(lao)客(ke)戶(hu)的(de)名(ming)字(zi)。下(xia)麵(mian)是(shi)些(xie)有(you)關(guan)合(he)同(tong)範(fan)本(ben)的(de)網(wang)址(zhi)，供(gong)參(can)考(kao)：
http://www.flcourts.org /
http://www.flabarrpptl.org/library.html
http://www.gate.net /~wyman/flo.html
http://www.westgroup.com

5. Obtain forms in books or CD-ROM. Typical forms of contracts can be found in form books, such as West's Legal Forms (a nationwide set) and Florida Jur Forms, as well as in treatises and Florida Bar CLE publications. These can be used as the starting point for drafting the contract or as checklists of typical provisions and wording to include in the contract. Many treatises and form books now come with forms on disk or CD-ROM.

5.從書中或者是光盤上獲取合同範本。典型的合同範本在一些範例書中都可能找到：比如,西方法律文書（全國版）foluolidazhouwenshuqikan
，lingwai，zaiyouxielunwenhefoluolidazhoulvshixiehuidefalvjixujiaoyuchubanwuzhongyekeyizhaodaoyixie。qicaohetongshi，nikeyibazhexiefanbendangzuoyuanshiziliao，liyongqizhongmouxiedianxingdetiaokuanhecuoci。gengweifangbiandeshi，xuduolunwenheshuzhongdehetongfanbendouyoudianziwenbenchucunzaicipanhuoguangpanzhong。

6. Don't let your client sign a letter of intent without this wording. Sometimes clients are anxious to sign something to show good faith before the contract is prepared. A properly worded letter of intent is useful at such times. Just be sure that the letter of intent clearly states that it is not a contract, but that it is merely an outline of possible terms for discussion purposes. See Appendix C.

6.ruguomeiyoutebieshenming，buyaorangnidekehuzaiyixiangshushangqianzi。youshihou，zaihetongweizhunbeihaozhiqian
，kehuweilebiaoshichengyi
，wangwangjiyuqianshumouxiedongxi，dangran
，zaizhezhongqingkuangxia，ruguokehujiyuqianshudeshiyoutebieshenmingdeyixiangshu
，zheyeshikeyide，danyidingyaozhuming：本意向書並非合同，隻是雙方為了更好地溝通協商，而擬定的對未來條款的概述。類似意向書的範例見附錄C。

Writing that First Word
第二部分：開始起草合同

7. Start with a simple, generic contract form. The form in Appendix A is such a form. It provides a solid starting point for the structure of the contract. Like a house, a contract must have a good, solid foundation.

7.從簡單
、典型的合同入手。附錄A就是一個簡單、典型的合同，它提供了一個合同的基本支架。像房子一樣，一個合同必須有一個牢固的根基。

8. State the correct legal names of the parties in the first paragraph. As obvious as this is, it is one of the most common problems in contracts. For individuals, include full first and last name, and middle initials if available, and other identifying information, if appropriate, such as Jr., M.D., etc. For corporations, check with the Secretary of State where incorporated.

8.在合同的第一段要寫清楚雙方的名稱。
，這是個簡單而又不得不引起重視的問題。如果是個人，要寫清姓和名,中間有大寫字母和其他身份信息的，也要注明
，例如：jr.,M.D,等等；如果是公司，為避免弄錯

，寫名稱時可以到公司注冊地的相應機構去核對一下。

9. Identify the parties by nicknames. Giving each party a nickname in the first paragraph will make the contract easier to read. For example, James W. Martin would be nicknamed "Martin."

9.確定合同雙方的別稱（簡稱）。為便於閱讀，一般要在合同的第一段為雙方弄一個別稱
，如：將詹姆士.馬丁簡寫為"馬丁"。

10. Be careful when using legal terms for nicknames. Do not use "Contractor" as a nickname unless that party is legally a contractor. Do not use "Agent" unless you intend for that party to be an agent, and if you do, then you better specify the scope of authority and other agency issues to avoid future disagreements.

10.使用法定術語作為雙方當事人的別稱時，要小心。除非一方當事人在法定上就是承包人，否則不要將"承包人"作為其別稱。同樣，除非你想讓一方當事人成為法定上的代理人，否則不要稱其為"代理人"，如果堅持要用，最好明確一下代理範圍並找到其他可以避免將來爭執的方案。
11. Include a blank for the date in the first paragraph. Putting the date in the first paragraph makes it easy to find after the contract is signed. It also makes it easy to describe the contract in other documents in a precise way, such as the "December 20, 2000, Contract for Sale of Real Estate."

11.zaihetongdediyiduanyaoweishuxieqianyueshijianliuxiakongge。baqianyueshijianfangzaidiyiduan，danghetongqianshuhou，nijiunenggouhenrongyidizhaodaota，erqie，zheyangzuohaikeyigeinizaiqitaxiangguanwenjianzhongzhunquedimiaoshuzhegehetongtigongbangzhu，fanliru：不動產買賣合同
，訂立於2000年12月20日

12. Include to provide background. Recitals are the "whereas" clauses that precede the body of a contract. They provide a simple way to bring the contract's reader (party, judge or jury) up to speed on what the contract is about, who the parties are, why they are signing a contract, etc. The first paragraph in the body of the contract can incorporate the recitals by reference and state that they are true and correct. This will avoid a later argument as to whether or not the recitals are a legally binding part of the contract.

12.書寫引述語。引述語是指那些放在合同主體前麵的"鑒於"條款。書寫此類條款的目的是為了讓讀者（通常指合同雙方，法官，陪審團）很(hen)快(kuai)地(di)了(le)解(jie)到(dao)合(he)同(tong)的(de)主(zhu)要(yao)內(nei)容(rong)是(shi)什(shen)麼(me)，合(he)同(tong)雙(shuang)方(fang)是(shi)誰(shui)，以(yi)及(ji)他(ta)們(men)為(wei)什(shen)麼(me)簽(qian)訂(ding)合(he)同(tong)
，等(deng)等(deng)。當(dang)然(ran)，合(he)同(tong)主(zhu)體(ti)的(de)第(di)一(yi)段(duan)也(ye)可(ke)以(yi)加(jia)上(shang)引(yin)述(shu)語(yu)並(bing)陳(chen)述(shu)其(qi)是(shi)真(zhen)實(shi)準(zhun)確(que)的(de)，如(ru)果(guo)這(zhe)樣(yang)做(zuo)了(le)，合(he)同(tong)雙(shuang)方(fang)將(jiang)來(lai)就(jiu)不(bu)會(hui)爭(zheng)執(zhi)：引述語作為合同的一部分是否具有法律效力？

13. Outline the contract by writing out and underlining paragraph headings in their logical order. The paragraphs should flow in logical, organized fashion. It is not necessary to write them all at once; you can write them as you think of them. Try to group related concepts in the same paragraphs or in adjacent paragraphs. For example, write an employment contract's initial paragraph headings like this:
Recitals.
Employment.
Duties.
Term.
Compensation.

13.按邏輯順序列出合同段落的標題詞.hetongdeduanluoshianyidingdeluojishunxuzuzhiqilaide，dangran，nibingbuxuyaoyixiaziliechusuoyouduanluodebiaotici，xiangdaoduoshaojiuxieduoshao
，buguo
，zhexiebiaoticiyaoliqiuzongjiechumeigeduanluohuoxiangguanduanluodeneirong。biru：撰寫勞動合同時列出的標題詞就像下麵這些：
引述語
聘用
職責
期限
賠償

14. Complete each paragraph by writing the contract terms that apply to that paragraph. This is simple. You learned this in elementary school. Just explain in words what the parties agree to do or not do paragraph by paragraph.

14.在(zai)撰(zhuan)寫(xie)每(mei)一(yi)段(duan)時(shi)要(yao)注(zhu)意(yi)內(nei)容(rong)集(ji)中(zhong)，不(bu)要(yao)東(dong)拉(la)西(xi)扯(che)

，是(shi)的(de)，這(zhe)很(hen)簡(jian)單(dan)，你(ni)可(ke)能(neng)上(shang)小(xiao)學(xue)時(shi)就(jiu)學(xue)過(guo)，但(dan)我(wo)還(hai)是(shi)要(yao)提(ti)醒(xing)你(ni)，要(yao)集(ji)中(zhong)火(huo)力(li)，一(yi)段(duan)一(yi)段(duan)地(di)分(fen)別(bie)說(shuo)明(ming)合(he)同(tong)雙(shuang)方(fang)同(tong)意(yi)做(zuo)什(shen)麼(me)
，不(bu)同(tong)意(yi)做(zuo)什(shen)麼(me)。

15. Keep a pad at hand to remember clauses to add. It is normal to think of additional clauses, wording and issues while writing a contract. Jot these down on a pad as you write; they are easily forgotten. Also keep your client's outline and other forms in front of you as you write, and check off items as you write them.

15.放一個便箋簿在手邊，以便記下需要添加的條款。在書寫合同的同時
，你可能隨時會想到一些需要添加條款
、措(cuo)詞(ci)和(he)問(wen)題(ti)，要(yao)盡(jin)快(kuai)記(ji)在(zai)便(bian)箋(jian)簿(bu)上(shang)
，因(yin)為(wei)他(ta)們(men)太(tai)容(rong)易(yi)忘(wang)了(le)。另(ling)外(wai)，你(ni)最(zui)好(hao)將(jiang)客(ke)戶(hu)列(lie)出(chu)的(de)要(yao)點(dian)和(he)一(yi)些(xie)類(lei)似(si)的(de)合(he)同(tong)範(fan)本(ben)也(ye)放(fang)在(zai)眼(yan)前(qian)，以(yi)便(bian)在(zai)書(shu)寫(xie)過(guo)程(cheng)中(zhong)隨(sui)時(shi)查(zha)對(dui)。

16. Repeat yourself only when repetition is necessary to improve clarity. Ambiguity is created by saying the same thing more than once; it is almost impossible to say it twice without creating ambiguity. Only if the concept is a difficult one should you write it in more than one way. In addition, if you use an example to clarify a difficult concept or formula, be sure that all possible meanings are considered and that the example is accurate and consistent with the concept as worded.

16.除chu非fei是shi為wei了le更geng清qing晰xi地di說shuo明ming問wen題ti，否fou則ze不bu要yao在zai合he同tong中zhong重zhong複fu陳chen述shu某mou個ge內nei容rong。將jiang一yi個ge事shi實shi來lai回hui地di說shuo很hen容rong易yi讓rang人ren模mo棱leng兩liang可ke。如ru果guo你ni將jiang一yi個ge概gai念nian重zhong複fu地di解jie釋shi，那na理li解jie起qi來lai就jiu更geng有you困kun難nan。另ling外wai，如ru果guo你ni想xiang通tong過guo一yi個ge例li子zi來lai闡chan明ming一yi個ge難nan以yi理li解jie的de概gai念nian或huo規gui則ze時shi，一yi定ding要yao考kao慮lv到dao其qi所suo有you的de含han義yi
、這個例子的準確性以及它和概念的相符性。

What to Watch Out for When Writing
第三部分：撰寫時的注意事項

17. Title it "Contract." Do not leave this one to chance. If your client wants a contract, call it a contract. A judge now sitting on the federal bench once ruled that a document entitled "Proposal" was not a contract even though signed by both parties. The lesson learned is, "Say what you mean." If you intend the document to be a legally binding contract, use the word "Contract" in the title.

17.標題上注明"合同"兩字。不要為碰運氣而忽略這個。如果你的客戶需要合同
，就要注明是合同。一個仍在聯邦法院裏任職的法官就曾經裁定：有雙方簽字，但標有"建議書"的文件並非合同。這給我們的教訓就是，你怎麼想，就應該怎麼說。如果你想讓你的文件成為具有法律效力的合同，就要在標題中注明"合同"字樣。

18. Write in short sentences. Short sentences are easier to understand than long ones.

18.寫短句子，因為短句子比長句子讓人更容易理解。

19. Write in active tense, rather than passive. Active tense sentences are shorter and use words more efficiently, and their meaning is more apparent. Example of active: "Sellers shall sell the Property to Buyer." Example of passive: "The Property shall be sold to Buyer by Seller."

19.用yong主zhu動dong語yu態tai而er不bu用yong被bei動dong語yu態tai。相xiang對dui而er言yan，主zhu動dong語yu態tai的de句ju子zi更geng簡jian短duan，措cuo詞ci更geng精jing練lian
，表biao達da更geng明ming白bai。還hai是shi讓rang我wo們men來lai來lai看kan一yi個ge例li子zi吧ba
，主zhu動dong語yu態tai的de句ju子zi：賣方將把此物賣給買方;被動語態的句子：此物將被賣方賣給買方。

20. Don't use the word "biweekly." It has two meanings: twice a week and every other week. The same applies to "bimonthly." Instead, write "every other week" or "twice a week."

20.不要用“雙周”之類的詞，因為這有可能產生歧義----是兩周還是每隔一周？類似的詞還有"雙月",所以最好這樣寫:"兩周"或"每隔一周"。

21. Don't say things like "active termites and organisms". Avoid ambiguity by writing either "active termites and active organisms" or "organisms and active termites." When adding a modifier like "active" before a compound of nouns like "termites and organisms", be sure to clarify whether you intend the modifier to apply to both nouns or just the first one. If you intend it to apply to both, use parallel construction and write the modifier in front of each noun. If you intend it to apply to just one noun, place that one noun at the end of the list and the modifier directly in front of it.

21.不要說"活動著的白蟻和有機體"之類的話
，為了避免模棱兩可，最好這樣寫：“活動著的白蟻和活動著的有機體”或是“白蟻和活動著的有機體”。當一組名詞（如"白蟻和有機體"）前有一個修飾語（如"活動著的"）時(shi)，你(ni)一(yi)定(ding)要(yao)弄(nong)清(qing)楚(chu)這(zhe)個(ge)修(xiu)飾(shi)語(yu)是(shi)修(xiu)飾(shi)兩(liang)個(ge)名(ming)詞(ci)還(hai)是(shi)僅(jin)僅(jin)修(xiu)飾(shi)第(di)一(yi)個(ge)名(ming)詞(ci)。如(ru)果(guo)是(shi)修(xiu)飾(shi)兩(liang)個(ge)詞(ci)，可(ke)以(yi)用(yong)排(pai)比(bi)的(de)手(shou)法(fa)分(fen)別(bie)在(zai)這(zhe)兩(liang)個(ge)詞(ci)之(zhi)前(qian)加(jia)上(shang)修(xiu)飾(shi)語(yu)
，如(ru)果(guo)你(ni)隻(zhi)想(xiang)修(xiu)飾(shi)一(yi)個(ge)名(ming)詞(ci)
，那(na)麼(me)你(ni)就(jiu)應(ying)該(gai)把(ba)這(zhe)個(ge)詞(ci)放(fang)在(zai)這(zhe)組(zu)詞(ci)的(de)最(zui)後(hou)，然(ran)後(hou)在(zai)它(ta)的(de)前(qian)麵(mian)加(jia)上(shang)修(xiu)飾(shi)語(yu)。

22. Don't say "Lessor" and "Lessee." These are bad nicknames for a lease because they are easily reversed or mistyped. Use "Landlord" and "Tenant" instead. The same applies to lienor and lienee, mortgagor and mortgagee, grantor and grantee, licensor and licensee, party A and party B. This is where you can use your creativity to come up with a different nickname for a party, as long as you use it consistently throughout the contract.

22.不要說“出租人”和“承租人”。這對一個租賃合同來說是些不好的別稱，因為他們容易被顛倒或者出現打印錯誤。可以用“房東”和“房客”來代替他們。同樣，在合同中也不要說留置權人和留置人，抵押權人和抵押人
，保證人和被保證人
，許可人和被許可人，當事人A和當事人B......到底怎麼說，這就要看你駕馭語言的能力了
，不過，要把握的一條原則
，即在整個合同中，對合同一方隻能用一個別稱。

23. Watch out when using "herein." Does "wherever used herein" mean anywhere in the contract or anywhere in the paragraph? Clarify this ambiguity if it matters.

23.使用術語“本文（herein，也可譯為”“在這裏”）時要當心。為了避免含糊不清，使用“本文”時最好特別申明一下“本文”是指整個合同，還是指其所在的某一段落。

24. Write numbers as both words and numerals: ten (10). This will reduce the chance for errors.

24.寫數目時要文字和阿拉伯數字並用
，如：拾（10）。這將減少一些不經意的錯誤。
25. When you write "including" consider adding "but not limited to." Unless you intend the list to be all-inclusive, you had better clarify your intent that it is merely an example.

25.如果你想用"包括"這個詞
，就要考慮在其後加上"但不限於....."的分句。除非你能夠列出所有被包括的項，否則最好用"但不限於...."的分句，來說明你隻是想舉個例子。

26. Don't rely on the rules of grammar. The rules of grammar that you learned in school are not universal. The judge or jury interpreting the meaning of your contract may have learned different rules. Write the contract so that no matter what rules they learned, the contract is clear and unambiguous. Follow this test for clear writing: Remove all periods and commas, then read it. Choosing the right words and placing them in the right place makes the writing clear without punctuation.

26.不bu要yao依yi賴lai於yu語yu法fa規gui則ze。那na些xie你ni在zai學xue校xiao裏li得de到dao的de語yu法fa規gui則ze並bing不bu是shi放fang之zhi四si海hai而er皆jie準zhun的de東dong西xi，因yin為wei有you權quan力li來lai解jie釋shi此ci合he同tong的de法fa官guan或huo陪pei審shen團tuan成cheng員yuan學xue的de語yu法fa規gui則ze可ke能neng和he你ni學xue的de不bu一yi樣yang，但dan不bu管guan學xue的de是shi什shen麼me規gui則ze，撰zhuan寫xie合he同tong都dou要yao遵zun循xun一yi個ge基ji本ben原yuan則ze：簡潔、明(ming)確(que)。檢(jian)測(ce)你(ni)寫(xie)的(de)東(dong)西(xi)是(shi)否(fou)達(da)到(dao)這(zhe)個(ge)要(yao)求(qiu)有(you)個(ge)好(hao)辦(ban)法(fa)
，那(na)就(jiu)是(shi)去(qu)掉(diao)所(suo)有(you)的(de)句(ju)號(hao)和(he)逗(dou)號(hao)，然(ran)後(hou)去(qu)讀(du)它(ta)。在(zai)沒(mei)有(you)標(biao)點(dian)符(fu)號(hao)的(de)情(qing)況(kuang)下(xia)
，選(xuan)擇(ze)正(zheng)確(que)的(de)詞(ci)語(yu)放(fang)在(zai)正(zheng)確(que)的(de)位(wei)置(zhi)上(shang)，這(zhe)將(jiang)使(shi)你(ni)寫(xie)出(chu)來(lai)的(de)東(dong)西(xi)更(geng)簡(jian)明(ming)，更(geng)流(liu)暢(chang)。

27. Don't be creative with words. Contract writing is not creative writing and is not meant to provoke reflective thoughts or controversies about nuances of meaning. Contract writing is clear, direct and precise. Therefore, use common words and common meanings. Write for the common man and the common woman.

27.不要創造詞語。合同文書不是創造性的作品，也就不能因為意思的細微差別而引起思考或爭論。合同文書應該是清晰、直接而準確的。因此
，要使用普通的詞語,表達普通的意思
，為普通人撰寫合同。

28. Be consistent in using words. If you refer to the subject matter of a sales contract as "goods" use that term throughout the contract; do not alternately call them "goods" and "items." Maintaining consistency is more important than avoiding repetition. Don't worry about putting the reader to sleep; worry about the opposing lawyer a year from now hunting for ambiguities to get your contract into court.

28.用詞一致。在一份銷售合同中，如果你想用“貨物”來指整個合同的標的物

，就不要時而稱它們為“貨物”，時而又改稱它們為“產品”。保持用詞一致性比避免重複更加重要。不要擔心這會讓讀者打瞌睡；你應該提防的是對方律師會因為含糊不清的合同而將你告上法庭。

29. Be consistent in grammar and punctuation. The rules of grammar and punctuation you learned may differ from others, but you had better be consistent in your use of them. Be aware of such things as where you put ending quote marks, whether you place commas after years and states, and similar variations in style.

29.在文法和標點符號上保持一致。你可能學過許多不同類的文法和標點符號規則
，但在使用它們時最好保持一致。要特別注意句末的引號、時間和地點之後的逗號以及文風的相似性。

30. Consider including choice of law, venue selection, and attorneys fee clauses. If your contract gets litigated, you might as well give your client some "ammunition" for the fight. Examples of these clauses appear in Appendices A and C.

30.可以在合同中加入準據法
、審判地
、律師費等條款。有了這些條款，一旦合同引起訴訟
，你就已經為了你的客戶打這場訴訟戰準備了一些“彈藥”。類似的條款見附錄A和B。

Write for the Judge and Jury
第四部分：要為法官和陪審團考慮

31. Assume the reader is a knowledgeable layman. If your writing is so clear that a layman could understand it, then it is less likely it will end up in court.

31.要假設合同的讀者是一個受過教育的外行,如果你書寫的合同簡明得連一個外行都能理解，那麼即使到了法庭上,,你也不用害怕。

32. Define a word by capitalizing it and putting it in quotes. Capitalizing a word indicates that you intend it to have a special meaning. The following are two sample clauses for defining terms:
Wherever used in this contract, the word "Goods" shall mean the goods that Buyer has agreed to purchase from Seller under this contract.Buyer hereby agrees to purchase from Seller ten (10) frying pans, hereinafter called the "Goods."

32.強調一個合同術語可以這樣做：加上雙引號並將其開頭的字母大寫。將一個詞語的開頭字母大寫表明你想讓它有一個特別的意思。下麵有兩個定義術語的例子：
一.本合同中使用的“貨物”("Goods")是指買方已經同意向賣方購買的貨物;
二.本合同中買方同意向賣方購買的拾（10）隻平底鍋，即下文中的“貨物”("Goods")。

33. Define words when first used. Instead of writing a section of definitions at the beginning or end of a contract, consider defining terms and concepts as they first appear in the contract. This will make it easier for the reader to follow.

33.第di一yi次ci使shi用yong某mou個ge術shu語yu時shi就jiu要yao下xia定ding義yi。定ding義yi合he同tong術shu語yu不bu是shi在zai合he同tong的de開kai頭tou，也ye不bu是shi在zai合he同tong的de結jie尾wei
，而er是shi在zai這zhe個ge術shu語yu第di一yi次ci出chu現xian的de時shi候hou，這zhe樣yang做zuo，有you利li於yu讀du者zhe更geng好hao地di理li解jie合he同tong。

34. Explain technical terms and concepts. Remember that the parties might understand technical jargon, but the judge and jury who interpret and apply the contract do not. Therefore, explain the contract's terms and concepts within the contract itself. Let the contract speak for itself from within its four corners.

34.qinyujieshihetongzhongdeshuyuhegainian。yaojizhuhetongshuangfangdedangshirenkenenghuilijiehetongzhongmouxiezhuanyongshuyu，danfaguanhepeishentuanquekenengyiwusuozhi。suoyizhuanxiehetongshiyaoranghetongzijiweizijishiyi。

Keep Your Client Informed While You Write
第五部分：書寫時要常和你的客戶溝通

35. All contracts should come with a cover letter. This gives you a place to instruct your client on how to use and sign the contract.

35.所有的合同都應該有一封說明書---用來告訴你的客戶如何使用和簽署合同。
36.告訴客戶你在撰寫過程中的一些想法。比如：哪些事情可能會隨著交易變得很遭，哪些事可能會在將來發生
，哪些事情已經發生了，哪些可以讓事情朝好的方向發展的方法.....你最好在給客戶的說明書中都將這些都寫上。
。
37. Inform your client of the risks. Writing a letter to the client as you write the contract is the perfect way to inform the client of the risks and rewards of entering into the contract. Frequently, problems do not become apparent until time is spent trying to word a contract.

37.告gao訴su客ke戶hu合he同tong的de風feng險xian所suo在zai。在zai撰zhuan寫xie合he同tong時shi
，你ni最zui好hao向xiang客ke戶hu說shuo訂ding立li合he同tong需xu要yao承cheng擔dan的de風feng險xian和he能neng夠gou得de到dao的de利li益yi。通tong常chang情qing況kuang下xia
，隻zhi要yao你ni花hua時shi間jian來lai起qi草cao合he同tong，你ni就jiu會hui發fa現xian真zhen正zheng的de風feng險xian在zai哪na裏li。

What To Do After the First Draft Is Written
第六部分：完成初稿後做什麼

38. Check spelling, paragraph numbering, and cross references both manually and with your word processor's spelling and grammar checker. This almost goes without saying today, especially since Microsoft Word now checks your spelling and grammar as you type. (Unfortunately it also changes "per stirpes" to "per stupid" if you fail to watch it closely.) And now there are even computer programs that check contract documents for undefined terms. DealProof is packaged with Corel WordPerfect for law offices, and DocProofReader is available for download for MS Word 97 and 2000.

38.核實合同的拚寫情況、段落序號以及上下文的注解，你可以自己手動來做，也可以用文字編輯軟件中的拚寫和語法檢查功能來完成
，特別是自從有了微軟的word軟件後

，做這樣的工作你似乎不要費多少精力（但機器有時也不可靠，如果你不看仔細，它就會把"per stirpes"改變為 "per stupid"）。現在，這類專業的軟件甚至可以幫你檢測到合同中沒有釋義的術語，如：Corel公司專門為法律辦公開發的文字處理軟件包中的DealProof軟件，還有可供word97和word2000下載安裝的DocProofReader軟件。

39. Let your secretary or paralegal read it. Not only will your staff frequently find spelling and grammar errors missed by your word processor's spell checker, but they will find inconsistencies and confusing areas that you missed when drafting.