My original plan for today’s post was to talk about how important it is for marketing executives—and others, too—to stay “up with the times.” I’ll get around to that at some point.
Anyway, I was getting ready to write when I was ambushed by a section in a style guide from one of my favorite clients. This little gem, nestled at the bottom of a page, leapt out at me, and I quote it in its entirety.
Follow these critical writing tips, courtesy of George Orwell:
- 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 metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
- Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
In just a few words, Mr. Orwell has argued effectively against pomposity, long-windedness, awkwardness, and pretense. What more could a budding or an experienced writer want as a guide?
More about the wonderfulness of style guides at some point too.
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