The Idea of an Essay, Volume 3

104 The Idea of an Essay: Volume 3 response to counterarguments, and conclusion. In the mode of legal writing, Gonzales relies heavily on legal terminology and appeals to precedent to justify its verdict. Gonzales not only uses Latin terms such as “de minimis,” but also uses relatively common words in uncommon ways. For example, the legal community, the Gonzales Court included, uses the formal definition of the word “moment,” as a synonym of importance, rather than its more common meaning referring to a period of time. Gonzales also uses specialized terms such as “substantial effect,” “separate and distinct,” and “rational basis.” Although these terms are in the common vernacular, the legal sense of such terms often refers to a specific process or test that justifies its use. Gonzales heavily utilizes active voice; however, passive voice also appears throughout, albeit sparingly. Although legal writing can take several, varied forms, its main characteristics, such as its highly technical, formal style and its specialized terminology, remain functionally the same throughout the different forms of writing within the profession. Works Cited Beck, Audrey. Personal Interview. 8 April 2015. Gonzales v. Raich. 545 U.S. 1. Supreme Court of the United States. 2005. Yale University Law School. Web. 4 April. 2015. Works Consulted Machen, Andrew. Personal Interview. 12 April 2015.