Encounters with the Writing Process |
Sometimes, I run across a quotation on writing that in a nutshell says what I have observed or learned. This is a short list of rules from Politics and the English Language,by George Orwell, 1946 (i) Never use a metaphor, simile or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print (ii) Never use a long word where a short one will do. (iii) If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out. (iv) Never use the passive where you can use the active. (v) Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent. (vi) Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous. One may or may not like George Orwell’s writing, but what he says about writing is true. Yet, the most important rule of his rules is the last one. In short, he means to tell me to use COMMON SENSE! Today’s tip: Even a list could be made interesting if begun with the least important item and ended with the most important one. -------------------------------- :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):) My current ratings are given according to the SMS's guidelines. TRUE LOVE IS HONEST "The Writing-Practice Journal"
Joy |