Here's something for those wishing to perfect their blogging style. That includes me too. This was written many, many years ago. Before blogging, or computers were around. It's still just as relevant today.
The following is taken from George Orwell's "Politics and the English Language" written in 1946, over 60 years ago!:
"Now that I have made this catalogue of swindles and perversions, let me give another example of the kind of writing that they lead to. This time it must of its nature be an imaginary one. I am going to translate a passage of good English into modern English of the worst sort. Here is a well-known verse from Ecclesiastes:
I returned and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
Here it is in modern English:
Objective considerations of contemporary phenomena compel the conclusion that success or failure in competitive activities exhibits no tendency to be commensurate with innate capacity, but that a considerable element of the unpredictable must invariably be taken into account."
Quite a difference no? Mr. Orwell claimed that the modern English language was atrocious! So he offered some tips for improvement (his writing is italicized, my comments not):
(i) Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print. - I'm not sure I agree with this one totally. My style is to write as I speak and I do use them in speech. For instance, "clean as a whistle" seems fine if that is the point I am trying to convey. But this is me against Orwell. I'm just presenting my take =)
(ii) Never us a long word where a short one will do. - I agree 110% Why use a word the other person may have to look up if there is an everyday word that will convey the same message?
(iii) If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out. - Another I agree with! I often read and re-read my posts (not this one though) and discover that I can delete words and still have the same feel to the post. I delete.
(iv) Never use the passive where you can use the active. - "The train hit the lady," vs "the lady was hit by the train." Did I use correct examples? English wasn't my best subject. I am not sure I even understand his point on this one. Someone out there care to enlighten me?
(v) Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent. - this one I both understand and embrace! Let's not forget to leave real estate jargon out of our discussions with our clients. Plain English!
(vi) Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous. - If the choice is either writing something barbaric or breaking one of the above rules, he gave you permission to break the rule. It's nice to know there was flexibility built in. =)
Above all, don't forget to keep it real and have fun. Blog on!
Maggie Dokic, SFR is a licensed real estate broker in the state of Florida selling residential real estate in Miami, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Coral Gables, Gables by the Sea, High Pines, the Redland and other select areas of SW Miami-Dade County.
Maggie has earned her SFR certification to be able to better serve the needs of her customers in today's non-traditional real estate market. SFR is a Short Sale, Foreclosure Resource Specialist. Designees have been trained to understand the highly specialized options available to Sellers facing short sales & foreclosures and Buyers looking to buy them.
For more information on our local real estate market, or to see or sell a home in Miami, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Coral Gables or the Redland, visit my Miami Real Estate blog or contact me at Maggie (at) TheBlogThatAteMiami (dot) com.
The opinions expressed herein, are those of the author, and not necessarily of Keller Williams Realty.
None of this information is to be deemed legal or financial advice. Please contact your attorney or accountant for same.
After that, I know I'm ever going to be published. Good Post. I ways did like George Orwell.
Okay, here is a very simplified translation per Orwell:
Looking back, we can see that the race does not always go to the fastest, the battle is not always won by the strongest, that a good life is not always lived by the smartest, that wealth is not always the result of knowledge, and skill is not always rewarded, but that luck does on occassion make the difference.
I did not think that the "modern" translation was clear, too fancy so I used the Owellian moclel, and now I understand!
Nice reminder that simplicty is important or you lose your reader!
Maggie,
"Objective considerations of contemporary phenomena compel the conclusion that success or failure in competitive activities exhibits no tendency to be commensurate with innate capacity, but that a considerable element of the unpredictable must invariably be taken into account."
HUH ...... If you had not provide the original statement, I would have never known what the HECK this person was talking about ............. LOL
As far as for the six rules you provided .......... I am beyond hope, and if I follow them it will be by accident :)
Hi Maggie,
Some really good info here, thanks. One of our past Board prez. had the reputation of (quite some time back) always trying to use $2.00 word when a nickel one would do...oh well.
Maggie,
I like this post. It seems like we are always using bigger words and saying less. George Carlin had a funny rant about how "toilet paper" has become "bathroom tissue" along with other funny examples.
Maggie - Enjoyed reading this. I am caught between two worlds, I have to think about my spelling is it English or American. Then I try using local sayings and get them all mixed up, this keep my family entertained. I will certainly have this post in mind when writing.
oooooooooooh a star! Thank you Moderator. Editor? Whoever you are! Those always tickle me.
Sarah - you are a master blogger. The master blogger? =) You've got it down to a science.
Chris - any friends of yours are friends of mine. Thank you! =)
Silly Sally - of course you can use those. In your neck of the woods, they're the rule, not the exception.
Maria - published by whom? We publish ourselves around here! That's what makes it fun. =)
Deborah - it all goes back to the KISS principle =)
Linda - I have to admit that I was never good at the tech-side of English. I never quite understood conjunctions, etc.
George - no, you are not beyond hope. You're a natural! Keep up whatever you do. It works.
Lynda - I've never heard that phrase before. I love it! I like the nickel words myself =)
Missy - and it obviously works for you! You're good. =)
Rita - I like his stuff. I've never seen that one. If it's like his others, it's got to be good!
Jennifer - don't lose any sleep over it! The local stuff is too much to bear in mind. I remember in high school our English teacher had each of the students say the following phrase out loud "a greasy spoon and bottle of milk." She was able to pick up what regions of the country the kids came from based on their pronunciation of "greasy" and "bottle." Up until then I just assumed everyone pronounced them the way I did!
Hi Maggie - Geroge Orwell, huh? For some reason, the only thing I associate with him is "1984" - Big Brother is watching us!
Anyway, I much prefer the original version of that phrase rather than the modern one - yuk!
I like all those rules except maybe the first one. And I certainly agree with you about leaving out industry-related jargon. Too many in this business continue to use that when speaking with consumers, and they have no clue what that stuff means most of the time. I always use regular language just so I don't do that when speaking with my clients and potential clients.
This is a really interesting post - thanks for sharing all that info, and congrats on your feature!
Ann
Keep it simple, real and honest. People like honesty and oftentimes if a blog is too wordy I pass on by. Blog like you are having a conversation with a friend is my motto.
Phyllis Pafumi
Maggie, Maggie, Maggie. You are on a subject that is near and dear to my heart, the use of language. Or, more properly, words. Friendly discourse is one of the greatest pleasures in life.
As I've said so many times, "words are my life". Words are civilized man's most powerful tool.
For me, if you read it, I said it or thought it, yesterday, today and probably tomorrow. I write what I think. I've been told that I think too much and, I suppose it would follow, that I write too much.
But, what can one do when "words are my life"??
I loved this post. Thanks.
Maggie,
What a great post and topic. English is my second language and often I write as I speak. I know that I'm far from perfect with my use of words but thats me. I really enjoyed reading this post.
Modern English has changed since 1946... Thanks for the translation Deborah!
I remember a class in high school or college when they used a speech that Gerald Ford gave (when a senator in Michigan?) where he used metaphor after metaphor, it was an axample not to use too many. I love metaphors when used in moderation!
There was semi recently a rant in Newsweek about modern (today) writers, speakers using too many metaphors. It is short hand. I believe it is very applicable to blogging. Of course many writers see blogging as not as good as. Someone can convey an idea quickly rather than using three sentences to convey the idea.
I'm all for it, until one uses a word that is close, but doesn't actually convey the real meaning. Different word have different meanings for a reason. That "simplification" can sometimes get in the way of accuracy.
However, the rules are a very good foundation.
These are great suggestions, Maggie.
While there are a writers out there who just seem to have the gift, for many of us it is hard work, and there is always room for improvement. I think we are also seeing that blogging, itself, is evolving in terms of how people use it, and how consumers view it. I don't necessairly believe there is a right answer, although some writing is more effective than others. Figuring out what that is for the particular audience, venue, or even topic (e.g., local content vs. business focused) is the challenge.
Jeff
Hey good points...I'll keep them in mind!
Good post!
Thanks for sharing it
Lysa - your comment's made me come up with a new blogging slogan..."Blog Like You're Paying Per Word." =) not catchy, but useful LOL
Margaret - this doesn't come all that naturally to me. I read and re-read before I click submit most of the time. =)
Ann - it seems a few of us are thinking the same about that first rule. What's wrong with being a little visual?
Phyllis - it goes back to the KISS principle!
Lenn - wow, I got a thumbs up from Lenn. woooo hoooo! Thanks for the great comment.
Rosario - that is funny. I worked at a big company where one of the VP's could not pronounce the word "strategy." He used it in a speech and I counted 17 times that he said "stragedy" instead. I couldn't focus on the speech, I was too busy laughing. I'm being so bad today. =)
Rick - yeah, what the heck did we know, right? LOL
Monika - whoa! I had no idea. I would have bet my bottom dollar that English was your first language. You're that good. Can I ask which was first?
Maureen - I'm all for keeping it brief myself =)
Lane - of course substituting a word that's not quite right just won't do.
Gena - you and Monika are surprising me today. You're another I took to be American. Can I ask your origin as well? I'm just all up in everyone's koolaid today =)
Jeff - for me it's work as well. But it's enjoyable work, I have to admit. =)
Kaye - yes, that delete button has become a buddy of mine too =)
KS - welcome aboard! Don't let all the rules scare you. Keep having fun as you learn. And if you need any help, just ask!
James - very good point. Knowing who your audience is, is key. Writing to them will provide good results.
Armando - I'm always happy to help out, if at all possible. =) Thank you.
Cyndee - yeah, it seems a few of us have an issue with that one. Did I say that already? LOL
Maggie,
You're another I took to be American. Can I ask your origin as well? I'm just all up in everyone's koolaid today =)
I was born in Seattle, Wash., however my parents moved to Caracas, Venezuela when I was a baby where we lived until I was seven years old. Since, I was raised by my Spanish speaking nanny and attended a Spanish only speaking school, Spanish was my first language. Upon arriving in San Antonio, Texas at age seven, I knew NO English. The days of ESL had not begun and it was a struggle learning English.
My Mother is from Baton, Rouge, Louisiana and Father from San Antonio, Texas. We are and were all American. My parents traveled a lot and I saw them very little back then. When I did, they would speak Spanish since that's all the help spoke and they were trying to learn Spanish, as well.
It was just a sign of the times back then and that's my story!
Maggie, it just goes to show that Orwell is timeless. The fact that his writings from the 1940s are still popular should show us that his thoughts and advice are yet relevant.
As far as cutting out excessive words: "Brevity is the soul of wit", said by William Shakespeare, is still great advice 500 years later!