A collection of short essays by George Orwell:Politics And The English LanguagePolitics Vs. Literature: An Examination Of Gulliver's TravelsThe Pre...
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Feb 14, 2011
Paquita Maria
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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
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May 23, 2011
Ethan
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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...
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
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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...
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:
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...
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...
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Jul 08, 2011
Carlo
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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...
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...
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Feb 07, 2012
Jeremy
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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...
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
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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.
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Jan 24, 2012
Tai the Lioness
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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
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Jan 09, 2011
Megan
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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.
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May 12, 2009
Thomas
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Genius essay, if I said anymore, I would fall into the group Orwell is insulting.
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