Question

I think the following rules will cover most cases:

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

(ii) Never use a long word where a short one will do.

(iii) If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.

(iv) Never use the passive where you can use the active.

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

(vi) Break any of these rules sooner than say anything barbarous.

–"Politics and the English Language,”
George Orwell

Write two to four sentences in which you identify Orwell’s purpose for writing and describe how he achieves that purpose. Include one or more examples from the text to support your ideas.

Answer 1

Orwell's purpose is to urge writers—especially in politics—to use clear, precise language and to reject vague, pretentious, or needlessly complex phrasing that can obscure truth. He achieves this by offering a short, direct list of practical rules that model the plain style he advocates (for example, "Never use a long word where a short one will do" and "Never use the passive where you can use the active"). His final rule, "Break any of these rules sooner than say anything barbarous," reinforces that clarity and honesty of expression are the ultimate goals.