Six elementary rules for writing good english

Subject: Six elementary rules for writing good english
From: "Raj Machhan" <raj -dot- machhan -at- gmail -dot- com>
To: techwr-l <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Mon, 6 Aug 2007 17:15:30 +0530

Hi all,


George Orwell has captured the essence of good English writing in these six
rules. These are as relevant today as they were during Orwell's time.Thought
I will share these with you as I found them especially applicable to
technical documentation:
Clarity of writing usually follows clarity of thought. So think what you
want to say, then say it as simply as possible. Keep in mind, George
Orwell's six elementary rules ("Politics and the English Language", 1946):

1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech, which you
are used to seeing in print.
2. Never use a long word where a short one will do.
3. If it is possible to cut out a word, always cut it out.
4. Never use the passive where you can use the active.
5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or a jargon word if
you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright
barbarous.

Best

Raj

Courtesy: The Economist
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-

To unsubscribe send a blank email to
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.


Follow-Ups:

Previous by Author: Examples of Poor Web page writing
Next by Author: Fwd: Six elementary rules for writing good english
Previous by Thread: Re: Unique doc IDs
Next by Thread: RE: Six elementary rules for writing good english


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads