Contract Drafting Language Standards

完整 SKILL.md

以下为安装包中的 Skill 原文，保留结构以便审阅触发描述、执行步骤与检查项。

---
name: contract-drafting-language-standards
description: Apply comprehensive language standards when drafting or reviewing legal contracts to ensure clarity, precision, and unambiguous expression of rights and obligations. Use this skill when writing contract clauses, defining terms, structuring contract text, or reviewing existing contract language.
---

# Contract Drafting Language Standards

## When to Use
- Drafting new contract clauses or entire contracts
- Reviewing existing contract language for clarity and precision
- Defining terms, rights, or obligations in contracts
- Structuring complex contract provisions

## Core Language Principles

### Accuracy and Clarity
- Language must be accurate, clear, and comprehensive
- Avoid vagueness, ambiguity, and omissions
- Prioritize clarity over conciseness; "wordy" expressions are acceptable if they accurately define rights and obligations
- Appropriate conciseness is good only if it does not affect meaning

### Legality
- Avoid adverse legal effects and comply with relevant laws
- Use existing legal terminology and standard expressions
- Quantify terms as much as possible to facilitate dispute resolution

### Style Guidelines
- Adopt formal, standardized written language similar to laws and regulations
- Maintain objective, rational, and neutral tone
- Avoid emotional language (criticism, blame, anger) or moral judgment
- State facts objectively: "under what conditions, what obligations/responsibilities are borne"

### Simplicity
- Language should be intuitive, plain, and easy to understand
- Avoid overly long or complex clauses
- Avoid "translation-style" convoluted expressions unless necessary

## Pyramid Writing Structure

### One Idea per Unit
- One sentence should express only one meaning
- One paragraph should express only one aspect of meaning

### Hierarchical Organization
- Organize all meanings by hierarchy and logic
- Categorize complex rights and obligations through structure rather than long sentences
- Use structure like "three aspects, the first has two points"

### Technique A: List Parallel or Alternative Items
Break down sentences containing multiple items into numbered lists:
```
2.1 Party A has the right to require Party B to bear the following liabilities:
2.1.1 Liability 1
2.1.2 Liability 2
2.1.3 Liability 3
```

### Technique B: Main Sentence + Definition Sentence
Extract complex definitions from long sentences. Structure: One main sentence + N definition sentences.

### Technique C: Add Subheadings
Add appropriate titles to clauses to facilitate quick browsing.

## 4-Angle Logic Method

When defining terms or arranging scope of rights/obligations, use these four angles:

1. **Positive (正说)**: Define what something IS, what TO DO
2. **Negative (反说)**: Define what something IS NOT, what NOT TO DO
3. **General (概括)**: Summarize the essence or main idea
4. **Specific (列举)**: List possible situations, especially key ones

**Thinking Process:**
- What is this? / What to do? (Positive + General)
- What does this include? / What is special? (Positive + Specific)
- What is this not? / What not to do? (Negative + General)
- What does this not include? / What is specially excluded? (Negative + Specific)

## Sentence Syntax Standards

1. **Use Standard SVO Structure**: Always prioritize "Subject + Verb + Object" structure
2. **Limit Modifiers**: Avoid excessively long attributive, adverbial, or complement components. Split into separate sentences if they interfere with understanding
3. **Limit Nesting Depth**: Do not use structures exceeding two layers. Use pyramid writing for complex logic
4. **Avoid Passive Voice**: Use active voice. Passive voice implies reluctance or negativity in Chinese
5. **Maintain Subject Consistency**: Do not change the subject within the same paragraph
6. **Avoid Omissions**: Use complete sentences; do not omit Subject, Verb, or Object for brevity

## Logical Relationships in Lists

When listing multiple items, determine and explicitly state the logical relationship:

### Type 1: Simultaneous Compliance (All must be met)
- **Conditions**: MUST use keywords "simultaneously", "all", "each" (同时、全部、均)
- **Obligations**: Best practice to use "simultaneously", "all"
- **Rights**: Not applicable

### Type 2: Selective (One of many)
- **Conditions**: MUST use keywords "any one", "one of" (任一、之一)
- **Obligations**: MUST use "one of" if used
- **Rights**: No keywords needed. Best phrasing: "all or part of" (全部或部分)

### Type 3: Comparative (Highest/Lowest)
- Used for dates, amounts, or standards
- Keywords: "whichever is higher/lower/earliest/latest" (以较高/较低/最高/最低者为准)

### Type 4: Sequential (Order matters)
- Used for document priority or repayment order
- Keywords: "in the following order", "priority order is as follows" (按下列顺序、优先顺序如下)

## Subject, Nature, and Vocabulary Standards

### Subject Standards
- **No Third-Party Obligation Subjects**: Do not use non-parties as the subject of obligation sentences
- **Avoid Joint Responsibility**: Avoid "jointly responsible" between opposing parties

### Nature Standards (Right vs. Obligation)
- **Rights**: Use "have the right", "may" (有权、可以)
- **Obligations**: Use "shall", "must", "must not" (应当/应、必须、不得)
- **Default**: Lack of keywords implies obligation
- **Separation**: Do not mix rights and obligations in one sentence

### Key Vocabulary Precision
- "Including but not limited to" (包括但不限于): Use for expansion
- "Deposit" (定金) vs "Down Payment" (订金): 定金 triggers penalty rules
- Security Terms: Distinguish "Mortgage" (抵押), "Pledge" (质押), "Guarantee" (保证)
- Termination: Use "Rescission" (解除) for conditions, "Termination" (终止) for expiration
- Payment Verbs: "Pay" (支付 - money), "Deliver" (交付 - goods), "Submit/Pay" (缴纳 - taxes/fines)
- Penalties: Use "Liquidated Damages" (违约金). Avoid "Fine" (罚款) or "Penalty" (罚金)

See [references/vocabulary-precision.md](references/vocabulary-precision.md) for complete vocabulary guidelines.
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## Source Provenance

- Collection: `合同起草审查指南-三观四步法-第四版-2023-何力-常金光`
- Archive: `合同起草审查指南：三观四步法（第四版）2023 何力，常金光.pdf.zip`
- Source file: `../_sources/合同起草审查指南-三观四步法-第四版-2023-何力-常金光.md`
<!-- source-provenance:end -->