I found this article to be very informative because I like reading about things that will help me improve my writing. George Orwell does not waste any time with a lengthy introduction in his article, he jumps straight to the point. Often when I am reading an article that is printed off the internet I have trouble reading it, but this one was an easy read. Orwell makes it clear through example that he wants readers to be informative and concise writers. I feel that Orwell is saying, "this is how you writer, but look, this is how you should write".
Orwell's explanation of "meaningless words" was very interesting and I felt that it was the main point of the article. In his explanation of meaningless words Orwell writes, "...the person who uses them [words] has his own private definition, but allows his hearer to think he means something quite different" (Orwell 4). This is a classic example of writing and thinking with a political purpose. This also relates directly to using coined terms. For example, if a politician uses a term or phrase that he has coined without providing his constituents a useful definition the term can be deemed a meaningless word.
Orwell's explanation of the five sample writings is well written because he points out exactly what was wrong with each example without over complication. I thought his explanations were helpful because I often feel that it is easy to over complicate writing. I sometimes think too hard about a topic even before I write about it causing the thought to be over complicated; this is why I find it easier to get my thoughts out then go back and revise.
Orwell's article is another fine example of the importance of being a wise reader and therefore competent writer.
Billi Jo,
ReplyDeleteI, too, enjoyed the article this week. I agree with you that lengthy introductions do nothing but give me time to lose interest. I also found the article quite useful to help improve my skills as a writer. Though I had heard most of these rules before from teachers and professors, there were a few that I had either forgotten about or simply never heard of before. He also wrote in a way, like you said, that made it easy to read and actually take into consideration. There was never a moment in the article that I lost interest or wasn't paying attention.
I also enjoyed your last sentence, and I find that it is quite true.
I like your comment about Orwell's suggestion that a competent writer is "a wise reader." I find that the more I read, the more I am encouraged to write. Not only do I recognize well-written articles, books, etc., I feel that I have more to say, hopefully as a wiser reader.
ReplyDeleteOrwell stresses the important of concise and clear language with which I agree to a certain point. One of the joys of reading, however, is being exposed to a more diverse vocabulary. If the writer is uses simple terms in order for the reader to more easily comprehend the material, I see his point. Unfortunately, I feel that many writers today actually "dumb-down" for their audience.
Billi Jo,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on all counts, save my preference of revision over the initial writing process. Orwell's delivery was very concise, making the essay palatable and easy to grasp. It was difficult to read the five examples he posted since they were set up against Orwell's clear style of writing. I found myself having to read each one aloud at least three times. Yet, his explanation of errors in the examples he provided were sensible and direct. I stated before that I prefer revising my work as opposed to initially putting my thoughts on a page. I found it interesting that you stated the opposite. I am not so eloquent when all my ideas are running through my mind, which is why I have to constantly re-read, contemplate, erase and re-write my work. I believe Orwell's essay further suggests the importance of the editing process.