The document outlines George Orwell's rules for writing clearly and simply, including using short words over long ones, cutting unnecessary words, and using active rather than passive voice. Orwell believed that political powers use complicated language to control ideas, and advocated for clear, simple language to help understanding. The rules are illustrated with examples comparing more complicated phrasings to simpler rewrites.

1. Simplify: Orwell's Rules

2. Orwell's Rules (Some of them) Never use a long word where a short one will do. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out. Never use the passive where you can use the active. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.

3. 1) Never use a long word where a short one will do. Instead of: I am pleased to make your acquaintance. Write: I’m pleased to meet you.

4. 2) If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out. Instead of: What I want to say to you is that you are fat. Write: You are fat.

5. 2) If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out. Instead of: The thing is that we really don’t have enough money. Write: We don’t have enough money.

6. 3) Never use the passive where you can use the active* Instead of: These slides were prepared by me. Write: I made these slides. *See English Language 09 for more information about passive and active voice.

7. About George Orwell George Orwell was an author. He believed that people with political power use complicated and vague language to control people’s ideas. Orwell said that everyone should try to use clear, simple language to help each other understand.

8. Aboutauthor Hans Anderson 2007-Present: Lecturer at FPT Greenwich Programmes, FPT University. 2007: M.S., Computational Mathematics, University of Minnesota 2001: B.A., Computer Science, GustavusAdolphus College, Saint Peter, MN