RE: Six elementary rules for writing good english

["Pinkham, Jim" <Jim -dot- Pinkham -at- voith -dot- com>]

Raj, thanks for this. Orwell's essay is a classic, and the advice is
solid for writers of all kinds, including ourselves as technical
writers. I read it in high school and probably once in college, too. I
appreciate the reminder of these tenets of good writing. And Orwell's
underlying point -- that it is easy to use vague, imprecise, or obscure
language for political mischief -- remains true and timely.

-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+jim -dot- pinkham=voith -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+jim -dot- pinkham=voith -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
Behalf Of Raj Machhan
Sent: Monday, August 06, 2007 6:46 AM
To: techwr-l
Subject: Six elementary rules for writing good english

Hi all,


George Orwell has captured the essence of good English writing in these
six rules. These are as relevant today as they were during Orwell's
time.Thought I will share these with you as I found them especially
applicable to technical documentation:
Clarity of writing usually follows clarity of thought. So think what you
want to say, then say it as simply as possible. Keep in mind, George
Orwell's six elementary rules ("Politics and the English Language",
1946):

   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 out a word, 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.

Best

Raj

Courtesy: The Economist
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