What is the expected outcome of legal writing for its audience?

The expected outcome of legal writing for its audience is to inform and persuade regarding legal principles and issues. This is fundamental to effective legal communication, as the primary objectives of legal writing—such as briefs, memoranda, and other legal documents—are to clearly present information, explain the relevant laws, advocate for a particular interpretation, or persuade a court or other audience of a specific viewpoint.

Informing involves laying out the pertinent facts and the applicable law in a manner that is accessible and comprehensible to the audience, whether it be a judge, a client, or another attorney. Persuasion is equally important; legal writing often aims to convince the audience of the validity of particular arguments or positions on legal issues.

The other options, while they may have some relevance in specific contexts, do not capture the essence of legal writing. Creating a dialogue around legal issues might be an aspect of legal discourse but is not the fundamental goal of legal writing itself. Offering personal opinions diverges from the objectivity expected in legal documents and can undermine the credibility of the writing. Lastly, the intention to confuse the opposition contradicts the ethical obligation of clarity and integrity in legal writing, as effective arguments should ultimately seek to clarify and support a reasoned legal position rather than ob