pickthebrain.com — In our society, the study of language and literature is the domain of poets, novelists, and literary critics. Language is considered a decorative art, fit for entertainment and culture, but practically useless in comparison to the concrete sciences. Just look at the value of a college degree in English versus one in computer science or accounting.
Mar 21, 2007 View in Crawl 4
turpialitoMar 22, 2007
Doubleplusgood discussion, methinks. Forward to Minitrue for verification, edition and approval.W.S.
Closed AccountMar 22, 2007
7: Look over your shoulder constantly. You never know when big brother may be watching.Seriously though, very insightful article.
Closed AccountMar 22, 2007
to two and too
Closed AccountMar 22, 2007
Notably, the Economist style guide includes these tips as well, in various sections:<a class="user" href="http://www.economist.com/research/StyleGuide/">http://www.economist.com/research/StyleGuide/</a>
estarisMar 22, 2007
@muchocoffee You made me smile. :) Maybe you should read the book.Then you might understand why what George wrote was so applicable.It's an alarming book. It's worth the read.
saahmedMar 22, 2007
Great advice.
progheadMar 22, 2007
"When one watches some tired hack on the platform mechanically repeating the familiar phrases ... one often has a curious feeling that one is not watching a live human being but some kind of dummy."eerie...
jefdubMar 22, 2007
1) This rule is as true today as true today as it was then.2) This is a rule of exactitude.3) I cannot possibly say enough about this rule… 4) This rule has taught me a lot.5) IMHO, a great rule.6) I uphold this rule no matter what.
mendiggJun 24, 2007
These 'rules' have been highly criticised. Despite being a good author, his stance on English is outdated and he is a renound English Maven. These are not so much 'rules' as 'the style of writing George Orwell likes best' and thereby a totally subjective opinion. Few if any authors stick to this prescribed style religiously, or even in the slightest, yet there is a lot of worthwhile literature in the world. <a class="user" href="http://www.rolid.org">http://www.rolid.org</a> <a class="user" href="http://www.se-ua.com">http://www.se-ua.com</a>
turdiggJun 27, 2007
These 'rules' have been highly criticised <a class="user" href="http://www.voyage-voyage.info">http://www.voyage-voyage.info</a> . Despite being a good author, <a class="user" href="http://www.vip-tour.biz">http://www.vip-tour.biz</a> his stance on English is outdated and he is a renound English Maven <a class="user" href="http://www.viptraveler.info">http://www.viptraveler.info</a> . These are not so much 'rules' as 'the style of writing George Orwell <a class="user" href="http://www.automig.info">http://www.automig.info</a> likes best' and thereby a totally subjective opinion <a class="user" href="http://www.ukrtravel.org">http://www.ukrtravel.org</a> . Few if any authors stick to this prescribed style religiously, <a class="user" href="http://www.megatourism.info">http://www.megatourism.info</a> or even in the slightest, yet there is a lot of worthwhile literature in the world <a class="user" href="http://www.autorial.info">http://www.autorial.info</a> .
copywritingukOct 27, 2007
Interesting point of view on Orwell's writing rules. I guess I'm not convinced all of them are entirely true. Found this <a class="user" href="http://www.copywriting-on-demand.com/markets.htm">http://www.copywriting-on-demand.com/markets.htm</a> writing resource which is perhaps a little more up to date
indiandoctorJan 27, 2008
The last rule - wow. Could you be more ambiguous?