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4.38 of 5 stars
A collection of short essays by George Orwell:Politics And The English LanguagePolitics Vs. Literature: An Examination Of Gulliver's TravelsThe Pre... read full description

reviews

Feb 14, 2011
Paquita Maria rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Want to be a super-intimidated goodreader? Well, then. I suggest that you consider writing a review about a brilliant novelist's essay tearing apart modern writing for all of its cliches, stylistic ostentatiousness/wordiness resulting in (sometimes intentional) vagueness, and every other linguistic foible you could ever imagine that you and I frequently (accidentally, in our case) commit. Oh, and this essay concludes with not only a detailed map of how you should be writing (bullet points and More...
40 comments like (31 people liked it)
May 23, 2011
Ethan rated it: 3 of 5 stars
I've always considered George Orwell to be a great author with his classic tales of Animal Farm and 1984, so I was pleased to discover other works of literature written by him today. At Poynter Online's behest, I looked up one of his brief essay to see just what exactly the dystopian novelist was warning against.

For a moment during the paper, it felt as if Orwell were speaking directly to me as he addressed the declining state of the English language. Condemning passive voice and th More...
Mar 23, 2011
Mariel rated it: 5 of 5 stars
He may be on to something here.

I don't know enough about what everybody else is doing (my world is small). Living, dead, romantic- those words don't mean less to me. I'm in words training wheels. Feeling around in the dark. I'm not up to power. It's hard to find the right word when I'm forgetting words unless in context. How do I do context then? It's hard!

My ex told me once that "love" is not bandied about in Spanish as it in English. I take it for granted tha More...
Feb 25, 2010
Lisa rated it: 5 of 5 stars
You know when you stumble onto a passage in writing that articulates your thoughts for you better than you are able? In fact, helps those thoughts to grow to adult height? This essay was one of those for me, in its entirety.

It discusses our chronic lack of clarity in writing and the muddled and vague thinking unclarity props up. Now working in development, the essay feels like some combination of vaccination, antidote and prescription sunglasses.

An excerpt:
" More...
0 comments like (2 people liked it)
Jul 08, 2011
Carlo rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Orwell describes how language can affect thought. The essay is full of examples about how vague expressions convey much more unclear meanings than "simple" expressions, and how frequently used phrases can even do the thinking for you.

I believe what Orwell is talking about is true for more than just politics and for more than just the English language. Fictional and non-fictional writings are also suffering from the use of bad language. The two languages that I speak fluently More...
0 comments like (4 people liked it)
Feb 07, 2012
Jeremy rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This was another essay I read for the Wordsmithy. Here are his six points at the end:
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. More...
Jul 19, 2010
Jonathan rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Orwell read my mind with this one. I have always hated political jargon for its vagueness. Orwell's idea of precise diction also applies to other fields. Diction is the only reason that we can't reach an agreement in fields like natural philosophy and economics. I don't like all of his work, but this was one of the best essays that I've ever read.
0 comments like (2 people liked it)
Jan 24, 2012
Tai the Lioness rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Uhhh there is no way in hell, I'm writing a review over a classic Writers essay on Why the English language is deteriorating! Read it! Be a better Writer/Reader. I doubt you will enjoy reading it. I know I wanted to gauge my eyes. However, It is thought provoking and helpful
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Jan 09, 2011
Megan rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Anyone who writes, reads, or cares about the meaning of words needs to read this. It's freely available online, so you have no excuses not to read it immediately.
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
May 12, 2009
Thomas rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Genius essay, if I said anymore, I would fall into the group Orwell is insulting.
Jan 12, 2012
Kayria added it
Very thought provoking in a good way. Definitely recommend it.
Dec 11, 2010
Ahdelina rated it: 4 of 5 stars
It was helpful. Thank you, George Orwell.
Apr 07, 2011
Melissa rated it: 4 of 5 stars
a must read.
Jun 07, 2011
Michael rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Great!
Feb 12, 2012
Matteocalosi added it
Feb 11, 2012
Nick rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Feb 07, 2012
Dalena added it
Feb 04, 2012
Carl rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Feb 03, 2012
Kat marked it as to-read
Feb 02, 2012
Claudia rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Feb 01, 2012
les marked it as to-read
Feb 01, 2012
Michael rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Feb 01, 2012
Lithium rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Jan 30, 2012
John added it
Jan 27, 2012
Evan rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Jan 24, 2012
Sarah marked it as to-read
Jan 22, 2012
Daniel added it
Jan 21, 2012
Saima marked it as to-read
Jan 21, 2012
Meha rated it: 2 of 5 stars
Jan 21, 2012
Shiree marked it as to-read