準備工作做好以后，我們就要開始來起草合同了。在起草合同時，有幾點需要注意：

1. Start with a simple, generic contract form. Like a house, a contract must have a good, solid foundation.
從簡單、典型的合同入手。像房子一樣，一個合同必須有一個牢固的根基。

2. 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.
在合同的第一段要寫清楚雙方的名稱。這個問題很簡單，但也需要重視。如果是個人，要寫清姓和名,中間名可能的話應寫上大寫首字母，其他身份信息如果需要也應注明，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。

3. 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."
確定合同雙方的別稱（簡稱）。為便于閱讀，一般要在合同的第一段為雙方設定一個別稱，如：將詹姆士·馬丁簡稱為“馬丁”。

4. 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.
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，最好明確一下代理范圍并找到其他可以避免將來爭執的方案。

5. 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."
在合同的第一段要為書寫簽約時間留下空格。把簽約時間放在第一段，當合同簽署后，你就可以很容易地找到它，而且，這樣做還可以給你在其他相關文件中準確地描述這個合同提供幫助，例如：不動產買賣合同，訂立于2000年12月20日。

6. Include 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.
書寫引述語。引述語是指那些放在合同主體前面的"鑒于"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）很快地了解到合同的主要內容是什么，合同雙方是誰，以及他們為什么簽訂合同，等等。當然，合同主體的第一段也可以加上聲明，并說明其是真實準確的，如果這樣做了，合同雙方將來就不會就引述語作為合同的一部分是否具有法律效力而爭執。

7. 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.

列出合同大綱，按邏輯順序列出合同段落的標題詞。合同的段落是按一定的邏輯順序組織起來的，當然，你并不需要一下子列出所有段落的標題詞，想到多少就寫多少。將相關的概念在一個段落或是在連續的段落里表達。比如：勞動合同的標題詞：
引述語
聘用
職責
期限
賠償

8. Complete each paragraph by writing the contract terms that apply to that paragraph. Just explain in words what the parties agree to do or not do paragraph by paragraph.
在撰寫每一段時要注意內容集中，不要東拉西扯。說明合同雙方同意做什么，不同意做什么就可以了。

9. 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.
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的條款、措詞和問題，要盡快記在便箋簿上，以免忘記。另外，你最好將客戶列出的要點和一些類似的合同范本也放在眼前，以便在書寫過程中隨時查對。

10. Repeat yourself only when repetition is necessary to improve clarity. Ambiguity is created by saying the same thing more than once. 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.
除非是為了更清晰地說明問題，否則不要在合同中重復陳述某個內容。反復地陳述同一個東西很容易讓人模棱兩可。只有當一個概念難于理解時，你才應該用不同的方式書寫。另外，如果你想通過一個例子來闡明一個難以理解的概念或規則時，一定要考慮到其所有的含義、這個例子的準確性以及它和概念的相符性。

（來源：阿里巴巴 英語點津 Annabel 編輯）