Frank H. Loucks
Instructor: Christy Vance
English: 102-013
October 28, 2009
Politics and the English Language
George Orwell makes the case in “Politics and the English Language” that American politicians have become lazy and ineffective due to the changes that have evolved in the English language used in politics. He makes the correlation that to write unclearly or foolishly makes it easier to have foolish thoughts.
Orwell gives examples of how politicians use and reuse metaphors that are worn out and have lost there meaning instead of using clear, accurate English. These overused metaphors are “stale” and “lack precision”. The writer uses these because he either is too lazy to really think about what he wants to say, or else he simply cannot express himself. Metaphors should be new and evoke a visual image for the reader. Orwell states worn-out metaphors have lost all power and are merely used because they save people from having to invent a new phrase for themselves.
He also makes the case that political speeches are full of “extra” words and “syllables. For example, I hear frequently “this is an opportunity for improvement” instead of being a single word such as this is a “problem” or “concern”.
I have fallen into this trap of trying to use familiar or “overused” metaphors or finding a “bigger” word to express a thought thinking it will make me look smarter. But as Orwell states, a good writer will ask themselves what are they trying to say, what words will express it, and what metaphor or image will make it clearer and more effective? These are good suggestions for me to follow in my own writing.
Orwell concludes his essay by listing six rules to help you write clearly and refreshingly:
1) Never use a common metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech. (2) Do not use a long word when a short one will do. (3) Always cut out excess words. (4) Use the active voice when possible. (5) Never use a foreign or scientific words or jargon when there is an English equivalent.
I appreciate the simplicity of these rules and hope to use them in my writing and in my thoughts.
Instructor: Christy Vance
English: 102-013
October 28, 2009
Politics and the English Language
George Orwell makes the case in “Politics and the English Language” that American politicians have become lazy and ineffective due to the changes that have evolved in the English language used in politics. He makes the correlation that to write unclearly or foolishly makes it easier to have foolish thoughts.
Orwell gives examples of how politicians use and reuse metaphors that are worn out and have lost there meaning instead of using clear, accurate English. These overused metaphors are “stale” and “lack precision”. The writer uses these because he either is too lazy to really think about what he wants to say, or else he simply cannot express himself. Metaphors should be new and evoke a visual image for the reader. Orwell states worn-out metaphors have lost all power and are merely used because they save people from having to invent a new phrase for themselves.
He also makes the case that political speeches are full of “extra” words and “syllables. For example, I hear frequently “this is an opportunity for improvement” instead of being a single word such as this is a “problem” or “concern”.
I have fallen into this trap of trying to use familiar or “overused” metaphors or finding a “bigger” word to express a thought thinking it will make me look smarter. But as Orwell states, a good writer will ask themselves what are they trying to say, what words will express it, and what metaphor or image will make it clearer and more effective? These are good suggestions for me to follow in my own writing.
Orwell concludes his essay by listing six rules to help you write clearly and refreshingly:
1) Never use a common metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech. (2) Do not use a long word when a short one will do. (3) Always cut out excess words. (4) Use the active voice when possible. (5) Never use a foreign or scientific words or jargon when there is an English equivalent.
I appreciate the simplicity of these rules and hope to use them in my writing and in my thoughts.
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