Use of Orwell's techniques

Applying Orwell’s techniques to pieces is quite difficult and takes a lot of thinking. His six rules are as follows:

(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

The first rule requires a creative imagination and broad diction. We, according to human nature are very easily submitted to cliché and hence making an original metaphor or simile can be difficult if one is not a writer. The second rule can be easy for some yet hard for others. For those who are not so experienced writers and resort to a limited diction this rule would suit them easily. However, experienced authors/writers use long words for the reason being that it fits what they are trying to say better. The third rule is a rule that I fail to follow every time I write a piece. Many believe that the longer the essay, the better it is hence many unnecessary words can be used. The fourth rule is very impactful and useful to grab the attention of the reader. Naturally being active and to the point makes it easier to be understood and also makes the reader keen to read more. I believe the fifth rule is the hardest – sometimes a foreign phrase describes the situation better than an English equivalent could and sometimes, the foreign phrase cannot be translated to English. The last rule made me feel very confused because I did not understand the meaning of barbarous: able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering (Google Web Definitions)

All of these things must be taken into account during the editing process of any piece of writing. I followed some of these rules when I was writing my essay about coloration and connotations in We. Once editing it I observed how much more detailed and interesting my essay seemed. Orwell’s rules are not hard to follow but they are not easy either. Using his techniques to edit some speeches in class took a lot of time, effort and thinking.