“If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them.” – Orwell
In a remote-first world, writing well is but an essential skill.
If I were to pick skills for ‘deliberate practice’, learning to communicate well would top the list
Writing clearly and concisely means choosing your words deliberately – to get your point across to the audience.
Here is George Orwell’s [yes, 1984 ] Six rules for writing clearly
#Rule1. “Never use a metaphor, simile or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.” – skip the cliched phrases
#Rule2. “Never use a long word where a short one will do.”
[“due to the fact that” = Because]
#Rule3. “If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.”
#Rule4. “Never use the passive where you can use the active.”
[I made a mistake. vs Mistakes were made]
#Rule5. “Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.”
#Rule6. “Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.”
Those who care about clarity of thought and responsible use of rhetoric would do well to consult or re-read, Orwell’s essay
I have since focused on avoiding the annoying buzzwords – i.e. – synergy, paradigm shift, disruption..
Which of the rules do you find most effective?
#onWritingWell
#OrwellonWriting