No Doublespeak please

Eric Arthur Blair, AKA George Orwell, is best known for his novel Nineteen-Eighty-Four. But in 1946, Orwell wrote ‘Politics and the English Language’, an essay in which he criticised the ‘ugly and inaccurate’ written English of the time. As its title suggests, and considering the author’s strongly held views, the paper concentrates on political language. Orwell includes six rules for writers, focusing on the importance of precise and clear writing. We can also apply these rules to bid narrative.

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

Metaphors can confuse, perhaps interpreted in a way not intended by the writer. And there is the prospect of cliché. Blue sky thinking anyone?

Never use a long word where a short one will do.

If, in considering this article, I had been pusillanimous* about referencing the work of a literary giant, I might not have written it.

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

For my part, I, myself, me, personally – yes, for sure, absolutely, I’d completely eliminate it. I always do that at all times.

Never use the passive where you can use the active.

Did the pilot fly the plane or was the plane flown by the pilot? I’d prefer the former. It suggests more control.

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

Why? Because you would be saying mea culpa if your customer misunderstands your reference to ‘discriminator’, as it’s not in their wheelhouse.

Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.

Barbarous. A great-sounding word now used rarely. A good thing considering its meaning. I bet you can’t include ‘barbarous’ in your next bid.

I salute George Orwell.

*Timid