Glimpses of Daniel's world

Thinking about how to write well

After reading an online version of Orwell's "Politics And The English Language" I learned two things which I consider important enough to remember.

The first thing is that:

If you use simple English in your writings  instead of jargon or difficult words to sound professional and sophisticated, your stupid remarks will be clear to all including yourself it is easier to spot when the text sounds stupid or wrong.

The following set of rules can be used to keep your writings simple:

  1. Never use a metaphor, simile or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
  2. Never use a long word where a short one will do.
  3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
  4. Never use the passive where you can use the active.
  5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
  6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.

I will try to pay more attention to how I express my thoughts now.