A #KavanaughStyle Cheat Sheet

Here's how Judge Kavanaugh handles writing issues large and small. If you want more, check out my Five Ways to Write Like Brett Kavanaugh.

Two spaces after periods or just one?

Two.

Oxford comma?

You bet.

Congress’s or Congress’?

Congress’s. Like both Justice Alito and Justice Kagan in Janus: Janus’s.

Footnotes?

Rarely. Mainly for statutory or regulatory language.

Contractions?

Judge Kavanaugh DOES NOT use contractions.

Slang?

No. Unless you consider a lot slang.

Enumerated lists?

Loves them. And he italicizes the numbers.

Bullet points?

Occasionally.

Rhetorical questions?

Occasionally. Other times he asks and answers his own questions.

How does he fare on BriefCatch?

Extraordinarily well! Here are his scores on a larger body of work than I've reviewed before:

Is he funny?

Not really. But then again, most of his opinions and dissents are about administrative law! I do think this is funny:

Is he nasty?

Never.

However, as a transition at the start of sentences?

Nope.

But, Yet, And, and Because at the start of sentences?

Thousands of times. He definitely prefers But to Yet, though.

So at the start of sentences?

So be it.

Further, at the start of sentences?

No. And hats off to him for that!

Pursuant to or under?

Under.

Prior to or before?

Before.

Additionally, further, or also?

Also.

Herein, therein, hereinafter?

No, no, and no.

In the present case? In the instant case?

No and no.

Similar to or like?

Like.

Upon or on?

On.

Such or that?

That.

Show to demonstrate ratio?

About 3 to 1.

Is required to or must?

Must. And need not for is not required to. Very Chief Justice Roberts-like.

Any bad habits?

Nope. Though he does overuse namely a bit!

What else can tell me?

Check out my Five Ways to Write Like Brett Kavanaugh.