George Orwell’s Elementary Rules of Writing

Despite the trend toward more visual communication, writing is still a necessary skill in public relations. Clarity, simplicity, and precision in writing make for inclusive and accessible communications. In a 1946 essay on Politics and the English Language, George Orwell, the author and broadcaster, outlined six elementary rules of writing. These rules have stood the test of time. We explore these rules that have stood the test of time.

Transcript

George Orwell’s Elementary Rules of Writing

Despite the trend toward more visual communication, writing is still a necessary skill in public relations. Clarity, simplicity, and precision in writing make for inclusive and accessible communications. In a 1946 essay on Politics and the English Language, George Orwell, the author and broadcaster, outlined six elementary rules of writing. These rules have stood the test of time. What are they?

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

One should avoid overused expressions, as they can make writing feel stale and unoriginal. Strive for fresh imagery to engage readers effectively. Orwell talked about ‘dying metaphors’ which have lost their original sense. For example, ‘Toe the line’ originally referred to athletes lining up at a starting line but is now used to mean conforming to rules. Where ‘Bite the bullet’ once referred to soldiers biting on bullets during painful surgeries without anaesthetics, it now simply means facing a difficult task. 

A Simile compares two things by using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’ and suggests a resemblance. They are often used out of habit rather than to convey meaning effectively. Think of ‘As busy as a bee’ or ‘Like a fish out of water’. Orwell encouraged writers to craft original comparisons that illuminate ideas.

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

Simplicity is key. Opt for shorter, more straightforward words to make your writing accessible and concise. Avoid jargon-heavy words. Some examples:

🖋️ Utilise = use

🖋️ Facilitate = help

🖋️ Constitute = form

🖋️ Commence = start.

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

Eliminate unnecessary words to maintain brevity and focus. For example, avoid ‘past history’ when ‘history’ will do, or ‘repeat again’ when ‘repeat’ is fine. Avoid filler words like ‘really’, ‘just’, ‘very’, or ‘actually’. Especially avoid wordy expressions like:

🖋️ Due to the fact that = because

🖋️ In order to = to

🖋️ At this point in time = now.

4. Never use the passive when you can use the active.

Orwell believed that the active voice makes sentences clearer and more direct than the passive voice. It adds clarity, ‘The government passed the law’ (active) rather than ‘The law was passed by the government’ (passive). Also brevity, as active voices are typically shorter and more dynamic. And avoids vagueness, like ’Mistakes were made’ (passive), obscuring who made the mistakes.

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

For example:

🖋️ Low-hanging fruit

🖋️ Leverage

🖋️ Circle back

🖋️ Paradigm shift

🖋️ Game changer

🖋️ Buy-in

🖋️ Scalable.

Oh, there are so many one could add to this list!

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

Orwell acknowledged that clarity and truth are more important than rigid adherence to the rules.

[Image: BBC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons]