,AN>*ISM & ! ,5GLI% ,LANGUAGE 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,CRIME?,9C4 

,TEXT 3 

,AN>*ISM & ! ,5GLI% ,LANGUAGE 

,KRI/IAN ,WILLIAMS 

,GEORGE ,ORWELL1 9 HIS CLASSIC ESSAY1 0,POLITICS & ! ,5GLI% ,LANGUAGE10 MAKES ! CASE ?AT 0! ,5GLI% LANGUAGE444 BECOMES UGLY & 9ACCURATE BECAUSE \R ?\<TS >E FOOLI%1 BUT ! SLOV5L9ESS ( \R LANGUAGE MAKES IT EASI] = US TO HAVE FOOLI% ?\<TS40 

,! VICES ,ORWELL CATALOG$--VAGUE PHRASES1 DY+ METAPHORS1 J>GON1 & G5]AL PSEUDOSCI5TIFIC PRET5TI\SNESS--ALL HELP TO SU/A9 \R BOR+ PROSE4 ,BUT WORSE1 !Y ALSO PRODUCE A /AGNANT & /IFL+ M5TAL ATMOSPH]E 9 :I* ?\<T IS COMMONLY REPLAC$ ) ! AUTOMATIC RECITATION ( C]TA9 PRESCRIB$ WORDS OR PHRASES 0TACK$ TOGE!R10 AS ,ORWELL MEMORABLY PUT IT1 0LIKE ! SECTIONS ( A PREFABRICAT$ H5-H\SE40 

,! EFFECT ON READ]S IS C]TA9LY BAD 5\<1 BUT ! IMPLICATIONS = WRIT]S >E MORE S]I\S /ILL4 ,SOMETIMES1 ( C\RSE1 VAGUE & %ODDY PROSE--& ! READ9ESS ) :I* SU* IS ACCEPT$--MAKES IT POSSIBLE = A WRIT] TO DELIB]ATELY PASS (F ONE ?+ AS ANO!R1 OR TO HIDE BAD REASON+ 9 A RHETORICAL FOG4 ,MORE (T51 H[EV]1 A WELL-MEAN+ WRIT] JU/ ACCEPTS ! /&>D CURR5TLY 9 USE & \T ( WITLESS HABIT USES LANGUAGE ?AT ALT]S1 OBSCURES1 OR NULLIFIES HIS [N MEAN+4 ,9 SU* CASES1 ! WRIT]1 TOO1 IS ! VICTIM3 HE MEANS TO SAY ONE ?+1 & SAYS ANO!R2 OR1 HE MEANS TO SAY SOME?+1 BUT SAYS NO?+ 9/EAD4 

,?IS DYNAMIC POSES SPECIAL PROBLEMS = AN>*ISM1 AS A MODE ( ?\<T ?AT %UNS OR?ODOXY ON PR9CIPLE & %\LD BE ABOVE DEFRAUD+ AN AUDI5CE 9 ! FA%ION TYPICAL ( POLITICIANS & !IR P>TIES4 ,AN>*I/S FACE ! FUR!R PROBLEM ?AT1 ?R\< CLUMS9ESS & 9ATT5TION1 \R IDEAS BECOME UN9TELLIGIBLE4 ,?IS DE/RUCTION ( MEAN+ OCCURS AT MANY LEVELS SIMULTANE\SLY3 ,IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CONV9CE PEOPLE ( AN IDEA IF ONE CANNOT EXPLA9 IT2 IT IS EQUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO EXPLA9 AN IDEA IF Y\ DO NOT UND]/& IT Y\RSELF2 & IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ADEQUATELY UND]/& AN IDEA IF ITS ONLY MEANS ( EXPRESSION FRU/RATE ANY EF=TS TO DEF9E OR ANALYZE IT4 ,?R\< ?IS PROCESS IDEAS >E TRANS=M$ 9TO SOME?+ LIKE ! ,LAT9 MASS3 WE 9 ! CONGREGATION MAY NOT UND]/& ! PRIE/'S RITUAL MUMBL+S1 BUT WE BELIEVE ?AT ! WORDS WILL SAVE US4 

,CONSID]1 = EXAMPLE1 A S5T5CE LIKE 0,TO BE ALLIES1 CISG5D]$ PEOPLE NE$ TO *ECK !IR PRIVILEGE40 

,SU* A S5T5CE IS1 BY CONTEMPOR>Y AN>*I/ /&>DS1 UTT]LY UNREM>KABLE & MAY EV5 BE REG>D$ AS A TRUISM4 ,& IT CONTA9S SEV]AL FEATURES ?AT MAKE IT REPRES5TATIVE ( ! TYPE ( WRIT+ ,I AM DISCUSS+4 ,! FIR/ ?+ ONE \<T TO NOTICE IS ! UNATTRACTIVE & ! PECULI>LY UN-P]SUASIVE QUALITY ( ! LANGUAGE4 ,SIMPLY READ+ ! WORDS1 IT IS V]Y DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT ?AT ONLY A S+LE C5TURY SEP>ATES ?IS WRIT+ FROM ! PROSE ( ,$W>D ,C>P5T] OR ,PET] ,KROPOTK94 

,EV5 AP>T FROM ITS PLA9 UGL9ESS1 ! WRIT+ IS 9DECIPH]ABLE TO ! UN9ITIAT$4 ,IT IS D5SE ) VAGUE J>GON T]MS1 & (F]S NOT A S+LE ORIG9AL TURN ( PHRASE1 NOR AN IMAGE ( ANY K9D4 ,( ITS BRIEF T5 WORDS1 ONE--CISG5D]$--ONLY EXI/S 9 C]TA9 M>G9AL ACADEMIC DEP>TM5TS & 9 A V]Y N>R[ SLIV] ( ! POLITICAL SPECTRUM4 ,?REE O!RS--ALLIES1 *ECK1 & PRIVILEGE-->E EV]YDAY ,5GLI% WORDS ?AT H]E TAKE ON SPECIALIZ$ MEAN+S4 ,& ONE ( !SE IS SO AMBIGU\S AS TO R5D] ! S5T5CE PRACTICALLY MEAN+LESS3 ,DOES *ECK MEAN TO EXAM9E1 OR TO V]IFY8 ,DOES IT MEAN TO PHYSICALLY BLOCK 7AS 9 HOCKEY71 OR ?REAT5 7AS 9 *ESS71 OR TO DECL9E A BET 7AS 9 POK]78 ,DOES ONE *ECK ONE'S PRIVILEGE ! WAY ONE *ECKS ONE'S COAT AT ! !AT]1 TO BE RETRIEV$ AGA9 AFT] ! %[8 ,LIKE A LOT ( MORALI/IC LANGUAGE1 ?IS PHRASE MANAGES TO BE PRESCRIPTIVE )\T ACTUALLY BE+ 9/RUCTIVE3 IT (F]S US A COMM&1 BUT IT LACKS ! NECESS>Y SPECIFICITY TO ACTUALLY TELL ANYONE :AT !Y %\LD DO 9 ANY REAL-WORLD CIRCUM/ANCE4 

,I'M NOT COMPLA9+ H]E ?AT ! LANGUAGE IS DIFFICULT--ON ! :OLE IT IS NOT--BUT ?AT IT IS UNSALVAGEABLY VAGUE4 ,IT IS1 OR %\LD BE1 A PROBLEM IF Y\R IDIOM MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE = O!R PEOPLE TO GRASP Y\R IDEAS2 BUT H[ MU* WORSE IS IT IF Y\R LANGUAGE HELPS Y\ TO HIDE Y\R MEAN+ EV5 FROM Y\RSELF8 ,TO A V]Y L>GE DEGREE1 ! LANGUAGE H]E IS /&+ 9 = ?\<T4 ,PEOPLE :O WRITE ?IS SORT ( ?+ MAY HAVE SOME G5]AL IDEA ( :AT !Y >E TRY+ TO SAY--BUT !Y NE$N'T HAVE4 ,!Y'VE ABSORB$ ! CORRECT WORDS1 ! WAY A *ILD MEMORIZES ! ,PL$GE ( ,ALLEGIANCE1 )\T MU* CONC]N AS TO :E!R ! WORDS CORRESPOND TO ANY?+ 9 P>TICUL>1 EI!R 9 ! REAL WORLD OR EV5 9 ONE'S IMAG9ATION4 

,MY ABOVE EXAMPLE IS DRAWN FROM QUE] POLITICS1 BUT ONE C\LD EASILY MULTIPLY ! CASES IF ONE SO *OSE4 7,= 9/ANCE3 0,! BLACK BLOC BECAME A M]E FACET ( ! TOTALIZ+ SPECTACLE407 ,ALL BRAN*ES ( AN>*ISM--PRIMITIVI/S1 SYNDICALI/S1 9SURRECTIONI/S1 ,CRIME?,9C4-->E SIMIL>LY GUILTY1 ?\< ! REQUIR$ CODE WORDS & ! PREF]R$ RHY?M ( ! LANGUAGE MAY V>Y SOME:AT FROM ONE CLIQUE TO ! NEXT4 ,ONE NE$ ONLY PICK UP ANY ISSUE ( ANY AN>*I/ PUBLICATION--NO MATT] :AT FACTION IT REPRES5TS--TO F9D AT LEA/ ONE EXAMPLE ( SIMIL> WRIT+4 

,MANY ( ! WORDS ?AT OCCUR MO/ COMMONLY 9 AN>*I/ WRIT+ >E US$1 ,I SUSPECT1 ) NO PRECISE MEAN+ 9 M9D--OR AT TIMES1 ) A MEAN+ QUITE DIFF]5T FROM ! TYPICAL USAGE4 0,ACC\NTABILITY10 0COMMUNITY10 0SOLID>ITY10 & 0FRE$OM0 >E US$1 9 ! OV]:ELM+ NUMB] ( CASES1 SIMPLY AS M>K]S TO SIGNIFY ?+S WE LIKE OR FAVOR4 ,:5 WE READ1 = 9/ANCE1 ?AT 0ORGANIZ]S %\LD BE ACC\NTABLE TO ! COMMUNITY10 WE >E EA* LEFT TO WOND] :O ?IS RELATION%IP IS SUPPOS$ TO 9VOLVE1 & >E MU* LESS C]TA9 AB\T :AT IT IS SUPPOS$ TO LOOK LIKE4 ,LIKEWISE1 :5 WE READ ?AT SOME GR\P WANTS TO 0HOLD SEX (F5D]S ACC\NTABLE10 IT IS A FAIR & OBVI\S QUE/ION :AT !Y PROPOSE TO ACTUALLY DO4 ,DO !Y WANT !M TO MAKE A PUBLIC /ATEM5T ( APOLOGY8 ,DO !Y PLAN TO BEAT !M UP8 ,OR DO !Y MEAN1 BY CIRCUL> LOGIC1 ?AT !Y WILL HOLD !M ACC\NTABLE BY CALL+ = !M TO BE HELD ACC\NTABLE8 ,IT IS /RIK+ H[ SELDOM SU* QUE/IONS >E EV] ANSW]$--BUT IT IS MORE /RIK+ /ILL H[ SELDOM !Y >E ACTUALLY ASK$4 ,9 BO? CASES1 ! KEY WORD--ACC\NTABILITY--HAS BE5 9VOK$1 & ?AT IS ?\<T SOMEH[ TO BE SUFFICI5T4 

,TOO (T51 ! PO9T ( WRIT+ ?IS WAY IS NOT SO MU* TO COMMUNICATE A SPECIFIC IDEA TO SOME REAL OR POT5TIAL READ]%IP4 ,! WORDS S]VE 9/EAD TO 9DICATE A K9D ( GR\P LOYALTY1 AN IDEOLOGICAL BORD] BETWE5 \R SIDE & ! O!R SIDE3 WE BELIEVE ?IS1 & !Y DON'T4 ,OR RA!R3 WE TALK 9 ?IS WAY & SAY ?IS SORT ( ?+2 !Y TALK 9 SOME O!R WAY1 & SAY SOME O!R SORT ( ?+4 

,ADOPT+ ! PROP] /YLE ALL[S ONE TO DEMON/RATE H[ RADICAL ONE IS4 ,& IT IS A SYMPTOM ( ONE'S WRIT+ BE+ %AP$ BY CONC]NS1 (T5 SUPPRESS$ CONC]NS1 AB\T OR?ODOXY4 ,IT BECOMES IMPORTANT1 NOT ONLY TO ?9K ! RI<T ?\<TS1 BUT ALSO--SOMETIMES EV5 MORE SO--TO USE ! RI<T WORDS1 AS ?\< ONE NE$S TO PUN* 9 ! CORRECT CODE1 BUT DOESN'T NE$ TO REMEMB] :Y ?AT P>TICUL> S]IES ( LETT]S WAS SELECT$ 9 ! FIR/ PLACE4 

,UND]NEA? ?IS PRACTICE ( M5TAL MIMICRY IS ! S5SE ?AT WORDS >E IMBU$ ) A K9D ( MY/ICAL ESS5CE--SOME BE+ GOOD1 O!RS BAD--IRRESPECTIVE ( CONTEXT OR ! USE TO :I* !Y >E BE+ PUT4 ,! POLIC+ ( LANGUAGE IS ONE RESULT1 USUALLY 9 ! =M ( SELF-C5SOR%IP BUT SOMETIMES UND] PUBLIC PRESSURE4 7,I WAS REC5TLY *A/IS$1 = EXAMPLE1 = US+ ! WORD RIOT2 ! MORE VAGUE UPRIS+ OR REBELLION BE+ PREF]ABLE47 ,ONCE EUPHEMISM BEG9S TO CREEP 91 IT IS A %ORT DI/ANCE TO TRAVEL BETWE5 POLITICAL POLIT5ESS & PURE DI%ONE/Y4 ,AT ! SAME TIME1 & FOLL[+ FROM ! SAME IMPULSE1 MU* ( \R RHETORIC TAKES ON A RIDICUL\SLY 9FLAT$ QUALITY4 ,PROTE/S BECOME UPRIS+S1 ON ! ONE H&1 :ILE A DRUNK5 FI<T IS DESCRIB$ AS 0ACT+ \T0 7UNLESS1 = O!R REASONS1 WE LABEL IT 0ABUSE074 ,9 EI!R CASE1 ! T5D5CY IS TO WRITE ACCORD+ TO :AT %\LD HAVE HAPP5$ UND] ! T]MS ( ONE'S [N FAVORITE !ORY1 RA!R ?AN /RUGGL+ TO DISCOV] & DESCRIBE EV5TS AS !Y ACTUALLY OCCURR$4 

,! T5D5CY T[>D RHETORICAL 9FLATION IS DRIV51 ,I BELIEVE1 BY A DESIRE TO MAKE \RSELVES SEEM BIGG]1 BETT]1 OR MORE IMPORTANT ?AN WE >E--EV5 IF ! ONLY PEOPLE WE FOOL >E \RSELVES4 0,ACTIONS0 S\ND T\<] ?AN 0PROTE/S0 OR 0RALLIES10 EV5 IF ALL WE DO AT !SE 0ACTIONS0 IS WALK AB\T ) SIGNS4 ,& IT IS RA!R EMB>RASS+ 9 A POLITICAL CONTEXT TO SAY 0ME & MY FRI5DS10 SO 9/EAD WE SAY 0COMMUNITY0 :5 WE REALLY MEAN 0SC5E10 & 0SC5E0 :5 WE REALLY MEAN 0CLIQUE40 ,BUT1 ISN'T !RE ! NAGG+ SUSPICION ?AT SOME?+ HAS GONE AWRY :5 WE BEG9 US+ ! WORD 0COMMUNITY0 9 A WAY ?AT EXCLUDES \R NEI<BORS1 ! MAIL C>RI]1 & MEMB]S ( \R IMM$IATE FAMILY8 

,ONCE ?IS PATT]N SETS 91 ALL S5SE ( PROPORTION WA%ES \T ( \R LANGUAGE4 ,DESCRIPTIONS ( EV5TS %R9K OR SWELL1 NOT ACCORD+ TO ANY OBS]VABLE FEATURE ( ANY?+ ?AT HAS HAPP5$1 BUT ACCORD+ TO AN A PRIORI =MULA4 ,ONE NE$ ONLY GLANCE AT ! /ATEM5TS ISSU$ BY COMPET+ SIDES 9 SOME REC5T AN>*I/ CONTROV]SY--! LATE/ 9/ANTIATION ( ! P]5NIAL DEBATES OV] VIOL5CE & NONVIOL5CE1 OR MILITANT ACTION V]SUS BASE-BUILD+1 WILL DO--TO RECOGNIZE ?AT1 ! TWO SIDES DO NOT JU/ DISAGREE AB\T ?IS OR ?AT SPECIFIC 9CID5T1 BUT :]E QUE/IONS ( FACT >ISE1 EA* SIDE TAKES AN ATTITUDE ( ALMO/ P]FECT 9DIFF]5CE4 

,! L+UI/IC DRIFT IS DANG]\S BECAUSE IT MAKES HONE/ DISCUSSION IMPOSSIBLE4 ,&1 MAYBE MORE WORRISOME1 PEOPLE >E SURPRIS+LY WILL+ TO FALL = !IR [N PROPAG&I/IC TRICKS4 ,A POLITICAL MOVEM5T CANNOT EXPECT TO SUCCE$1 OR EV5 SURVIVE1 IF IT CANNOT FACE REALITY4 ,BUT MOREOV]1 IF ITS MEMB]S 9 V]Y L>GE NUMB]S DO LOSE T\* ) ! WORLD BEYOND !IR [N PRESS RELEASES & MANIFE/OS1 ! MOVEM5T PROBABLY WILL NOT EV5 DES]VE TO SURVIVE4 

,AN>*I/S1 ( C\RSE1 >E NOT ! ONLY PEOPLE TO WRITE AS ?\< ! WORDS DON'T MATT]4 ,MU* CURR5T WRIT+ IS /RAI<T=W>D NONS5SE--NOT ONLY POLITICAL WRIT+1 BUT ALSO ADV]TIS+ COPY1 ACADEMIC PROSE1 LEGAL DECISIONS1 RELIGI\S S]MONS1 & LOVE SONGS4 ,BUT ASIDE FROM ! SLIP%OD QUALITY ( CONTEMPOR>Y ,5GLI%1 & BEYOND EV5 ! SPECIAL VICES ( POLITICAL PROPAG&A1 AN>*ISM HAS ACQUIR$ SEV]AL FAULTS ?AT >E1 MORE OR LESS1 DI/9CTIVE4 

,= 9/ANCE1 WE SEEM TO HAVE ACQUIR$ ! DUBI\S HABIT ( ADOPT+ AN EV]YDAY WORD1 N>R[+ ITS MEAN+1 & TURN+ IT 9TO A K9D ( J>GON4 ,! ABOVE-M5TION$ 0ALLIES10 0PRIVILEGE10 0ACC\NTABILITY10 & 0ACTIONS0 >E ALL EXAMPLES--AS >E 0PROCESS0 7AS A V]B71 0FACILITATE10 0RECUP]ATE10 0LIFE/YLE0 7AS AN ADJECTIVE71 0BOTTOM-L9E0 7V]B71 0SPECTACLE10 0SAFE SPACE10 0SPOKE0 7N\N71 0C>E0 7N\N71 & 0H>M40 

,SIMIL>LY1 WE SOMETIMES TAKE WORDS ?AT >E NECESS>ILY RELATIVE & USE !M AS ?\< !Y W]E ABSOLUTE4 0,ACCESSIBLE0 7OR 09ACCESSIBLE07 & 0ALT]NATIVE0 >E ! *IEF EXAMPLES4 ,NO?+ JU/ IS ACCESSIBLE4 ,IT MU/ BE ACCESSIBLE TO SOMEONE4 ,LIKEWISE1 SOME?+ CAN ONLY BE AN ALT]NATIVE TO SOME?+ ELSE4 ,SAY+ ?AT IT'S AN ALT]NATIVE TO 0! MA9/REAM0 IS JU/ QUE/ION-BEGG+4 

,MORE EMB>RASS+ /ILL1 MANY ( \R J>GON T]MS >E NOT EV5 \R [N1 BUT HAVE BE5 APPROPRIAT$1 OR MISAPPROPRIAT$1 FROM O!R TRADITIONS--,M>XI/1 ,F\CAULDIAN1 PO/-MOD]N1 FEM9I/1 OR ,QUE] ,!ORY4 ,!RE'S NO?+ WRONG ) ?AT ON ITS [N1 & ,I P]SONALLY ADMIRE A WILL+NESS TO TAKE GOOD IDEAS REG>DLESS ( ! S\RCE4 ,BUT WE'VE />T$ WRIT+ LIKE UND]GRADUATES IMITAT+ !IR PR(ESSORS4 ,WE SAY 0HEGEMONY0 :5 WE REALLY JU/ MEAN 09FLU5CE10 & 0CONTRADICTION0 :5 WE'RE TALK+ AB\T CONFLICT1 0P]=MATIVITY0 9/EAD ( 0BEHAVIOR10 & SO ON4 ,! RESULTS ( ?IS IMITATIVE HABIT >E SOMETIMES PRETTY ODD3 BECAUSE ( ,F\CAULT1 IT IS N[ COMMON 9 POLITICAL WRIT+ TO REF] TO PEOPLE AS BODIES4 ,?ANKS TO ,H>DT & ,NEGRI1 WE TALK AB\T ,EMPIRE RA!R ?AN IMP]IALISM4 ,&1 9 A RELAT$ DEVELOPM5T1 WE COMMONLY TALK AB\T ,CAPITAL RA!R ?AN CAPITALISM1 & DO SO 9 A WAY ?AT MAKES IT S\ND LIKE AN ILL-TEMP]$ DEITY RA!R ?AN AN ECONOMIC SY/EM4 

,TOO (T51 TOO1 WE PRES5T SIMPLE IDEAS ) COMPLEX LANGUAGE BECAUSE WE ?9K IT MAKES US LOOK SM>T]1 $GI]1 OR MORE RADICAL4 ,WE PEPP] \R LANGUAGE ) TE*NICAL T]MS JU/ TO %[ ?AT WE'VE DONE \R HOMEWORK4 ,!RE SEEMS TO BE AN AGREEM5T ON ! LEFT ?AT IT IS BETT] TO WRITE 9 ! /YLE ( BADLY-TRANSLAT$ ,HEGEL ?AN TO WRITE LIKE ,JOHN ,/E9BECK4 ,IT IS EV5 EASI]1 PROVID$ Y\ DON'T C>E TO BE UND]/OOD4 

,! PROBLEM ( C\RSE IS NOT ) ! WORDS !MSELVES4 ,! PROBLEM ISN'T EV5 ) AB/RACTION4 ,ANY EF=T TO APPLY ! LESSONS FROM ONE CASE TO ANO!R NECESS>ILY 9VOLVES SOME =M ( AB/RACTION4 ,! PROBLEM IS ! AVOIDANCE ( CL>ITY 9 MEAN+4 ,! SOLUTION1 !N1 IS NOT TO SIMPLY TO AB/A9 FROM US+ C]TA9 WORDS1 OR TO SUB/ITUTE NEW J>GON = OLD1 BUT TO DO :AT WE CAN TO MAKE \R WRIT+ AS CLE> AS POSSIBLE4 ,WE DO ?AT ?R\< ! USE ( FRE% IMAG]Y1 ( CONCRETE DETAIL1 & BY TAK+ C>E TO SPELL \T PRECISELY :O & :AT WE MEAN :5EV] WE'RE TEMPT$ TO 9VOKE OLD SPOOKS LIKE 0! PEOPLE0 OR MY/ICAL PROCESSES LIKE 0/RUGGLE40 

,! PO9T H]E IS NOT SIMPLY TO DESCRIBE ! PRES5T /ATE ( AN>*I/ WRIT+1 BUT TO REV]SE ! TR5DS ?AT HAVE BR\<T US H]E4 ,& :ILE MANY ( ! EXAMPLES 9 0,POLITICS & ! ,5GLI% ,LANGUAGE0 >E N[ V]Y MU* \T ( DATE1 ,ORWELL'S ADVICE REMA9S S\ND4 ,HE (F]S ONE G5]AL PR9CIPLE1 SIX RULES1 & SIX QUE/IONS4 

,! PR9CIPLE IS3 0,LET ! MEAN+ *OOSE ! WORD1 & NOT ! O!R WAY AB\T40 

,! RULES >E3 

,NEV] USE A METAPHOR1 SIMILE OR O!R FIGURE ( SPEE* :I* Y\ >E US$ TO SEE+ 9 PR9T4 

,NEV] USE A LONG WORD :]E A %ORT ONE WILL DO4 

,IF IT IS POSSIBLE TO CUT \T A WORD1 ALWAYS CUT IT \T4 

,NEV] USE ! PASSIVE :]E Y\ CAN USE ! ACTIVE4 

,NEV] USE A =EIGN PHRASE1 A SCI5TIFIC WORD OR A J>GON WORD IF Y\ CAN ?9K ( AN EV]YDAY ,5GLI% EQUIVAL5T4 

,BREAK ANY ( !SE RULES SOON] ?AN SAY ANY?+ \TRI<T B>B>\S4 

,IT IS WOR? NOT+ ?AT1 W]E !RE A CONTEMPOR>Y AN>*I/ /YLE GUIDE1 NE>LY ALL ( !SE RULES W\LD BE REV]S$3 ,ONLY USE FIGURES ( SPEE* ?AT Y\ >E US$ TO SEE+ 9 PR9T2 ,NEV] USE A %ORT WORD IF A LONG WORD IS AVAILABLE2 ,IF IT IS POSSIBLE TO ADD A WORD1 ALWAYS ADD IT 92 ,NEV] USE ! ACTIVE VOICE :]E Y\ MI<T USE ! PASSIVE2 ,ALWAYS USE A =EIGN PHRASE OR J>GON WORD IF ! EV]YDAY ,5GLI% WORD CAN BE AVOID$2 ,& WRITE B>B>\SLY RA!R ?AN VIOLATE ANY ( !SE RULES4 

,NO ONE HAS =MALIZ$ SU* COMM&M5TS1 & NO ONE HAS HAD TO4 ,! SL[ DRIFT ( ! LANGUAGE1 & ! OV]ALL CL\D9ESS ( \R ?\<T1 ALL[S US TO ADOPT SU* PRACTICES )\T TRY+1 & (T51 )\T CONSCI\SLY RECOGNIZ+ IT4 ,TO BREAK SU* HABITS1 H[EV]1 REQUIRES A CONSCI\S EF=T4 

,ORWELL'S ADVICE1 PUT AS SUCC9CTLY AS POSSIBLE1 MI<T BE SUMM>IZ$3 ,?9K BE=E Y\ WRITE4 

,A SCRUPUL\S WRIT]1 9 EV]Y S5T5CE ?AT HE WRITES1 WILL ASK HIMSELF AT LEA/ F\R QUE/IONS1 ?US3 ,:AT AM ,I TRY+ TO SAY8 ,:AT WORD WILL EXPRESS IT8 ,:AT IMAGE OR IDIOM WILL MAKE IS CLE>]8 ,IS ?IS IMAGE FRE% 5\< TO HAVE AN EFFECT8 ,& HE WILL PROBABLY ASK HIMSELF TWO MORE3 ,C\LD ,I PUT IT MORE %ORTLY8 ,HAVE ,I SAID ANY?+ ?AT IS AVOIDABLY UGLY8 

,?IS APPROA* ASSUMES1 ( C\RSE1 ?AT ! WRIT] HAS SOME DEF9ITE IDEA ?AT HE MEANS TO CONVEY TO ! READ]1 ?AT IT IS NOT HIS PURPOSE TO SIMPLY CYCLE ?R\< ! FA%IONABLE PLATITUDES 9 ORD] TO REPRES5T ! RI<T 0L9E0 OR TO REHE>SE /OCK PHRASES = SOME IMAG9>Y DEBATE4 

,! PURPOSE ( AN>*I/ WRIT+1 ,I BELIEVE1 IS--OR %\LD BE--NOT TO DEMON/RATE H[ RADICAL WE >E1 OR TO DAZZLE \R FRI5DS ) \R ]UDITION1 BUT TO IMPROVE ! QUALITY ( AN>*I/ ?\<T1 TO GIVE \R IDEAS A BROAD] CIRCULATION1 & TO USE ?OSE IDEAS TO HELP RE%APE ! WORLD4 ,BUT ! PRES5T /ATE ( \R WRIT+1 TAK5 AS A :OLE1 SEEMS ILL-SUIT$ TO EV]Y ONE ( !SE AIMS4 ,IT PRODUCES1 9/EAD1 HAZY ?9K+1 POLITICAL & 9TELLECTUAL 9SUL>ITY1 &1 ULTIMATELY1 IRRELEVANCE4 

,I DON'T MEAN TO SUGGE/ ?AT ! ONLY ?+ /&+ 9 ! WAY ( REVOLUTION IS BAD PROSE4 ,BUT IT IS POSSIBLE ?AT A GREAT DEAL ( ! NONS5SE C\LD BE %AK5 \T ( AN>*ISM IF WE COMMIT \RSELVES TO ! CLE> EXPRESSION ( \R IDEAS1 & IF WE DEM& ! SAME FROM ! PUBLICATIONS ?AT WE READ4 ,IT IS V]Y DIFFICULT TO WRITE CLE>LY UNLESS ONE IS ALSO ?9K+ CLE>LY4 ,& IF A S5T5CE CANNOT BE TRANSLAT$ FROM AN>*O-5GLI% 9TO PLA9 ,5GLI%1 !RE IS A V]Y GOOD *ANCE ?AT IT IS MEAN+LESS4 

,AB\T ! AU?OR3 ,KRI/IAN ,WILLIAMS IS ! AU?OR ( ,\R ,5EMIES 9 ,BLUE3 ,POLICE & ,P[] 9 ,AM]ICA1 ,AM]ICAN ,ME?ODS3 ,TORTURE & ! ,LOGIC ( ,DOM9ATION1 & ,HURT3 ,NOTES ON ,TORTURE 9 A ,MOD]N ,DEMOCRACY4 ,HE IS PRES5TLY AT WORK ON A BOOK AB\T ,OSC> ,WILDE & AN>*ISM4 

,5GLI% & ! ,AN>*I/S' ,LANGUAGE 

,CRIME?,9C4 ,WRIT]S' ,BLOC 

0,! AL*EMI/S HAVE A SAY+3 ',T]TIUM NON DATA'3 ! ?IRD IS NOT GIV54 ,?AT IS1 ! TRANS=MATION FROM ONE ELEM5T TO ANO!R1 FROM WA/E MATT] 9TO BE/ GOLD1 IS A PROCESS ?AT CANNOT BE DOCUM5T$4 ,IT IS FULLY MY/]I\S4 ,NO ONE REALLY KN[S :AT EFFECTS *ANGE40 -,JEANETTE ,W9T]SON 

,KRI/IAN'S ESSAY SAYS MU* ( :AT WE W\LD LIKE TO SAY TO O!R AN>*I/ WRIT]S4 ,IT IS C[>DLY TO CONCEAL SLIP%OD REASON+ BEH9D A SMOKESCRE5 ( GIBB]I%--& DANG]\S1 TOO1 IF Y\ /ILL 5C\RAGE PEOPLE TO ACT ON Y\R >GUM5TS4 ,D[N ) PSEUDO-ACADEMIC PO/UR+6 ,DEA? TO ALL :O AFFIX SUFFIXES TO PROJECT1 POT5TIAL1 & POSITION6 ,& HYP]BOLE TO ! GUILLOT9E6 

,YET SEE+ ?IS SPELL$ \T AS A PROGRAM1 \R HE>TS REBEL4 ,ORWELL'S ADVICE1 AS ,KRI/IAN PRES5TS IT1 MI<T IMPROVE BAD WRIT+1 BUT IT SAYS NO?+ AB\T ! AL*EMY ?AT SETS GOOD WRIT+ AP>T FROM ! M]ELY S]VICEABLE4 ,NOR DOES IT 5GAGE ) :AT C\LD MAKE WRIT+ AN>*I/4 ,DOES ONE WRITE WELL AS AN AN>*I/ ! SAME WAY ONE WRITES WELL AS A SOCIAL DEMOCRAT OR AN ADV]TIS+ AG5T8 ,OR IS AN>*I/ WRIT+ ANO!R PROJECT 5TIRELY1 :I* MU/ BE EVALUAT$ ACCORD+ TO O!R CRIT]IA8 ,KRI/IAN IS EI!R MAK+ A BIG ASSUMPTION OR A FATAL OMISSION4 ,IT'S IMPORTANT TO ADDRESS ?IS1 LE/ HIS PRESCRIPTIONS BE US$ AGA9/ ?OSE :O /RIKE (F 9 ! RI<T DIRECTION4 

,SO GIV5 ! *OICE BETWE5 9COH]5T1 9SUL> J>GON & ! CLE> TRANSMISSION ( RATIONAL >GUM5TS1 LET US ADD ANO!R DIM5SION TO ! DISCUSSION4 ,WE HYPO!SIZE A ?IRD POLE--! MY/]I\S ?IRD1 ! FACTOR ?AT EFFECTS *ANGE4 

,= ! PURPOSES ( HIS >GUM5T1 ,KRI/IAN TAKES = GRANT$ ?AT \R LANGUAGE CAN ADEQUATELY REPRES5T \R IDEAS IF WE USE IT PROP]LY4 ,BUT LIKE ANY TE*NOLOGY1 LANGUAGE IS NOT NEUTRAL2 IT 9C>NATES ! P[] RELATIONS ( ! SOCIETY ?AT PRODUC$ IT4 ,IT IS G5]ALLY EASI] TO USE CONTEMPOR>Y ,5GLI% TO CONVEY ! CAPITALI/ WORLDVIEW ?AN TO EXPRESS IDEAS OR EXP]I5CES \TSIDE IT4 ,!RE >E SUBM]G$ CURR5TS ( RESI/ANCE )9 ,5GLI%1 AS !RE >E )9 EV]Y ASPECT ( \R SOCIETY1 BUT IT T5DS TO IMPOSE ! VALUES ( ! DOM9ANT SOCIAL ORD]4 

,:5 0LEGITIMATE0 IS 9SEP>ABLE FROM 0AU?ORITY0 & DRA/ICALLY DIFF]+ ACTIVITIES >E DEF9$ AS 0VIOL5T0 DEP5D+ ON :O 5GAGES 9 !M1 AN AN>*I/ CANNOT TRU/ WORDS TO REPRES5T H] IDEAS ! SAME WAY !Y REPRES5T ?OSE ( POLITICIANS & PUNDITS4 ,?IS IS NOT JU/ A QUE/ION ( MISUSE1 AS IF ! WORDS W\LD TELL ! TRU? IF !Y W]E US$ CORRECTLY4 ,ON ! CONTR>Y1 ! LANGUAGE ( POLITICIANS & PUNDITS (T5 APPE>S MORE ACCESSIBLE ?AN \RS BECAUSE ! PLAY+ FIELD IS SLANT$ 9 !IR FAVOR4 ,:5 WE TRY TO BE MORE ACCESSIBLE1 WE SOMETIMES 5D UP MAK+ !IR PO9TS RA!R ?AN \R [N4 

,9 ! FACE ( SU* *ALL5GES1 AN AN>*I/ HAS TO BR+ ! SUBT]RANEAN CURR5TS ( RESI/ANCE )9 ! LANGUAGE TO ! SURFACE 9 ! C\RSE ( MAK+ H] CASE1 OR ELSE %E MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE IT AT ALL4 ,MOREOV]1 AS AN AN>*I/1 %E MU/ NOT E/ABLI% NEW NORMS1 BUT OP5 UP SPACES ( FREE PLAY & UNC]TA9TY4 ,SEMANTICS IS NOT JU/ 0! SCI5CE ( EVAD+ ! PO9T10 AS A COMRADE ONCE QUIPP$1 BUT ONE ( ! MO/ IMPORTANT BATTLEFIELDS ON :I* ! BALANCE ( P[] IS DET]M9$4 

,SO IF WE BEG9 ) ,ORWELL'S DEM& TO 0,LET ! MEAN+ *OOSE ! WORD1 & NOT ! O!R WAY AB\T10 WE MU/ 5D BY US+ WORDS 9 A MANN] ?AT %AKES !M LOOSE ( !IR OLD MEAN+S4 ,:5 WE SPEAK1 WE %\LDN'T FOCUS ONLY ON PROP]LY DESIGNAT+ \R IDEAS VIA LANGUAGE1 BUT ON DE/ABILIZ+ ! LANGUAGE ITSELF--%[+ H[ IT IS 5EMY T]RITORY & OP5+ NEW PO9TS ( DEP>TURE4 

,LET'S P]=M AN EXAMPLE ( ?IS4 ,KRI/IAN URGES US NOT TO WRITE B>B>\SLY4 ,?IS S\NDS /RAI<T=W>D 5\<4 ,YET ?IS LOAD$ WORD1 B>B>\S1 COMES TO US FROM ! ANCI5T ,GREEK ONOMATOPOEIA1 88888888--IT WAS A MOCK]Y ( ! =EIGN]S :OSE 9COMPREH5SIBLE SPEE* 70B> B> B>07 M>K$ !M AS 9F]IOR TO ,GREEK CITIZ5S4 ,SIMIL>LY1 9 ! ESSAY ,KRI/IAN CITES1 ,ORWELL CALL$ ON HIS C\NTRYM5 0TO DRIVE \T =EIGN PHRASES0 = ! SAKE ( 0! DEF5SE ( ! ,5GLI% LANGUAGE40 ,ORWELL MEANT ONLY TO D5\NCE J>GON & AB/RACTION1 BUT 9 BO? CASES WE SEE H[ SWIFTLY ONE C\LD PASS FROM DEM&+ 9TELLIGIBILITY TO SOME?+ MORE S9I/]4 ,IF \R LANGUAGE IS NOT NEUTRAL1 IT MAY BE MO/ DANG]\S :5 IT IS MO/ 9TELLIGIBLE4 ,IF ?AT IS SO1 \R TASK AS AN>*I/S IS TO MAKE LANGUAGE UNFAMILI> 9 A WAY ?AT R5D]S ! 5SU+ CONFUSION IRRESI/IBLE RA!R ?AN (F-PUTT+4 

,C]TA9LY1 AS ,KRI/IAN PO9TS \T1 NEOLOGISMS LIKE 0CISG5D]$0 >E NOT FAMILI> TO EV]YONE4 ,BUT IF WE /AY )9 ! B\NDS ( LANGUAGE ?AT IS WIDELY US$ 9 ?IS SOCIETY1 WE WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO REPRODUCE CONS5SUS REALITY1 NOT *ALL5GE IT4 ,H[ C\LD WE POSSIBLY *ALL5GE G5D] NORMATIVITY 9 ! SAME T]MS ?AT MA9TA9 IT8 ,WE HAVE TO 9V5T NEW WORDS1 /YLES1 & DISC\RSES ?AT 5ABLE US TO SAY NEW ?+S :ILE S$UC+ O!RS 9TO ! CONV]SATION4 ,?IS CALLS = A DYNAMIC RA!R ?AN /ATIC UND]/&+ ( ! TRANSMISSION ( MEAN+--NOT TO M5TION A LITTLE ,DADAISM4 ,IT CALLS = POETRY RA!R ?AN PROSE3 ! ?IRD ?AT IS NOT GIV54 

,:5 WE APPROA* WRIT+ ?US1 M]E ACCURACY CEASES TO BE \R PR9CIPLE VIRTUE4 ,?IS EXPLA9S SOME ( ! EXAMPLES ( P[]FUL WRIT+ ?AT FALL \TSIDE ,KRI/IAN'S P>AMET]S4 

,A /RICT FOCUS ON ACCURACY ALONE W\LD NEV] PRODUCE A ,LEWIS ,C>ROLL OR A ,KA?Y ,ACK]--TWO AU?ORS :OSE WORK H9TS AT ! K9D ( AN>*IC /YLE WE >E PO/ULAT+4 ,:AT IS ,ORWELL HIMSELF REMEMB]$ = TODAY--HIS ESSAYS1 OR HIS NOVELS8 ,HIS LOGIC1 OR HIS NEOLOGISMS8 ,HIS POLITICS1 OR HIS ?\<TCRIME8 ,IF NOT = ! VITALITY ( HIS IMAG9ATION1 HIS REALISM W\LD NEV] HAVE REA*$ US4 ,HE 9V5T$ ,NEWSPEAK TO PORTRAY H[ LANGUAGE CAN BE US$ TO LIMIT ?\<T1 BUT P>ADOXICALLY HE NE$$ NEW LANGUAGE TO CONVEY ?IS IDEA4 

,& !N !RE IS ! PROBLEM ( BAD WRIT+ ?AT IS BETT] ?AN GOOD WRIT+4 ,WE REMEMB] ! FAM\S ,AUDRE ,LORDE QUOTE--0,! MA/]'S TOOLS WILL NEV] DISMANTLE ! MA/]'S H\SE0--PRECISELY BECAUSE1 ON ! FACE ( IT1 IT IS PAT5TLY FALSE4 ,IT /ICKS 9 \R M9DS2 IT IS AN 5IGMA1 A KNOT WE CAN'T /OP TRY+ TO UNTIE4 ,! SAME GOES = ! MIX$ METAPHORS ( ,PET] ,GELD]LOOS2 WE MAY BE 0DEF5E/RAT+ ! /RANGLEHOLD0 LONG AFT] WE HAVE =GOTT5 ,DAVID ,GRAEB]'S ME?ODICAL =MULATIONS4 ,! *E]FUL EXCESSES ( Y\? WILL ALWAYS \T%9E MORE PRUD5T PROSE1 TO ! DESPAIR ( $ITORS & O!R P$ANTS4 ,AN>*I/S %\LD MAKE ! MO/ ( ?IS1 NOT FI<T IT4 

,GOOD WRIT]S >E G5]ALLY 9TELLIG5T1 BUT SOME TRULY GREAT WRIT]S >E IDIOTS SAVANTS4 ,AS ONE REVIEW] WROTE ( ,A,C_/,D,C1 0,ONE BRA9 CELL LESS & IT W\LDN'T HAVE WORK$2 ONE BRA9 CELL MORE & IT W\LDN'T HAVE HAPP5$40 ,! SLOGANS PUNK ROCK BEQUEA!D TO AN>*ISM1 :I* HAVE BORNE ITS RESURG5CE AS F> AS ,9DONESIA1 FUNCTION PRECISELY BECAUSE ( !IR MY/ICAL BANALITY4 0,TWO CLI*ES MAKE US LAU<10 WROTE A C]TA9 ,ITALIAN1 0BUT A HUNDR$ CLI*ES MOVE US1 BECAUSE WE S5SE DIMLY ?AT ! CLI*ES >E TALK+ AMONG !MSELVES1 CELEBRAT+ A REUNION40 

,!N !RE IS ! PROBLEM ( NONREPRES5TATIONAL EXPRESSION4 ,A HUMORLESS REACTION>Y MI<T *>GE ?AT ! BE/ PAGE ( ,DAYS ( ,W>1 ,NI<TS ( ,LOVE IS ! ONE RIPP$ \T ( EV]Y COPY2 BUT ! TRUE ES!TE KN[S IT IS ! BE/ PAGE BECAUSE1 MORE EFFECTIVELY ?AN ANY O!R1 IT CONVEYS A S5SE ( LIMITLESS POSSIBILITY4 ,IF ! AN>*I/ AU?OR'S TASK IS NOT TO PUT UP F5C+ BUT TO PULL UP SURVEYOR'S /AKES1 IT IS BESIDE ! PO9T :E!R EV]Y READ] D]IVES ! SAME S5SE FROM A S5T5CE2 ! MORE WIDELY DIV]G+ !IR RESPONSES1 ! BETT]4 ,SOME ,RORS*A* TE/S >E WOR? MORE ?AN EXPRESSIONS ?AT CONVEY ! SAME 9=MATION TO EV]YONE--& NO?+ ELSE4 

,BESIDES1 ?OSE :O >E CONV9C$ ?AT !Y SPEAK PRECISELY--YET SEE IMPRECISION VIRTUALLY EV]Y:]E !Y LOOK--R>ELY COMMUNICATE WELL ) O!RS4 ,?AT'S NOT H[ COMMUNICATION WORKS4 ,IT IS A MUTUAL UND]TAK+1 = :I* RULEBOOKS >E NO MORE USEFUL ?AN !Y >E = ANY O!R K9D ( VOLUNT>Y RELATION%IP4 ,:5 IT COMES TO COMMUNICATION1 ! PRO( ( ! PUDD+ IS 9 ! EAT+1 AS ! SAY+ GOES4 ,:I* AN>*I/S >E MO/ WIDELY READ \TSIDE ! AN>*I/ MILIEU8 

,H]E WE HAVE RETURN$ TO A C5TURIES-OLD DEBATE4 ,DO WE SIDE ) ! LUCID PROSE ( ,WILLIAM ,GODW91 OR ! 9C&ESC5T POETRY ( ,P]CY ,%ELLEY8 ,! SOB] ,MURRAY ,BOOK*91 OR ! 9TOXICAT+ ,HAKIM ,BEY8 ,APOLLONIAN >GUM5TATION ?AT FRAMES AN>*ISM AS ! CULM9ATION ( ! ,5LI<T5M5T1 OR ! ,DIONYSIAN ROMANCE ( AN ASSAULT ON ,WE/]N CIVILIZATION8 

,BUT :O REMEMB]S ,WILLIAM ,GODW98 ,A CONS]VATIVE M9ORITY )9 ! AN>*I/ MOVEM5T HAS ALWAYS HELD ?AT WE %\LD BE EV5 MORE S]I\S & SCI5TIFIC ?AN \R FOES4 ,BUT AN>*I/S %\LD CONC5TRATE ON \R /R5G?S4 ,MO/ PEOPLE >E DRAWN TO ! AN>*I/ PROJECT BY ! DESIRE = ! WILD & MY/]I\S1 = SOME?+ 9EFFABLE4 ,?IS IS ! SAME PHILOSOPH]'S /ONE ?AT DI/+UI%ES GREAT >T FROM SCRUPUL\S WRIT+--?AT MAKES IT WOR? VIOLAT+ ! RULES--?AT MAKES IT WOR? WRIT+ AT ALL4 ,NO AM\NT ( OBFUSCATION CAN MAKE UP = ITS ABS5CE1 BUT NEI!R C\LD ANY DEGREE ( ACCURACY4 

,!RE=E1 9 DEFIANCE ( ,ORWELL & \R [N BETT] JUDGM5T1 WE >E COMPELL$ TO CONCLUDE3 ,WRITE B>B>\SLY6 ,BUILD Y\R >GUM5TS ON ! SLOPES ( ,VESUVIUS6 ,S5D Y\R PROSE 9TO UN*>T$ SEAS6 ,BREAK ) COMMON S5SE & CONV5TION 9 SU* A WAY ?AT EV]YONE ELSE JO9S 96 

,:5 9 ,ROME1 DO AS ! ,V&ALS DO3 SACK IT4 ,AX CLI*ES & REPLACE !M ) A CO9AGE ( Y\R [N M9T4 ,TOPPLE ! ,T[] ( ,BABEL1 ! IMP]IAL PROJECT ( IMPOS+ A UNIT>Y LOGIC ON LANGUAGE & ?\<T4 

,=GET AB\T WRIT+ PROP]LY6 ,B>B>IANS TO ! B>B>RICADES6 ,W,R,I,T,E ,B,>,B,>,\,S,L,Y6 

7,S\RCE3 ,RETRIEV$ ON ,JANU>Y #bND1 #b#a#e47 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #a#c1 #bbb 3 ,AN>*ISM & ! ,5GLI% ,LANGUAGE -- ,ADD$4 

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