Sometimes it’s worth turning to the masters for advice on being a better writer. These six rules are from George Orwell’s 1946 essay Politics and the English Language and is far more succinct than I could ever manage:

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

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

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

• Never use the passive where you can use the active.

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

• Break any of these rules sooner than say anything barbarous.

My longer version of this is here: Cut the jargon and become a better business and tech writer.

Tagged george orwell, tips