Let George Orwell Make You a Better Writer

George Orwell wrote literature ranked as some of the best of the 20th century. Books like Animal Farm, 1984 and Down and Out in Paris and London led to many considering him the greatest writer of his generation.

Yet Orwell’s writing is far from what some might consider “literature” in style. His work delivers insightful messages while remaining easy to follow and enjoy. He was passionate about clarity and making things simple for the reader (rather than highlighting the writer).

It’s a sentiment many in business would do well to follow – not to turn your emails into bestsellers, but to get your message across cleanly and powerfully. Whether communicating with colleagues, investors or customers you’re more likely to enjoy better results by keeping the following advice in mind.

Firstly, always ask yourself these questions:

1.What am I trying to say?
2.What words will express it?
3.What image or idiom will make it clearer?
4.Is this image fresh enough to have an effect?
5.Could I put it more shortly?
6.Have I said anything that is avoidably ugly?

Then apply these basic rules of writing:

1.Never use a metaphor, simile or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
2.Never use a long word when a short one will do.
3.If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
4.Never use the passive voice where you can use the active.
5.Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
6.Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.

I’ve kept these rules tucked inside my notebook for years. They help to keep writing tight and focused where it should be – on the reader.