Second And Park — Web Copy That Works by Tiffani Jones

George Orwell, our favorite defender of the English language, had lots to say about good and bad writing.

I keep going back to his famous essay, Politics and the English Language, every time I need solid writing advice. In the article he talks about what bad writing is (unclear), where it comes from (lack of thought, effort, or training at best; insincerity at worst), and how to fix it (work harder).

Below are his main points: 63 years old and relevant as ever.

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