Rules For Writers: George Orwell

 

 

In "Politics and the English Language," George Orwell provides six rules for writers:

 

 

Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.

 

Never use a long word where a short one will do.

 

If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.

 

Never use the passive voice where you can use the active.

 

Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.

 

Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.