Six simple rules for writing

Back in 1946 George Orwell wrote six simple rules for for writing, which I think still hold true today especially in technology writing.

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 (see Short words).
3. If it is possible to cut out a word, always cut it out (see Unnecessary words).
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 (see Iconoclasm).

These all make reference to the Economist Style Guide which is a great handy reference for those interested in improving their written words.

But above all don’t forget that

“one could keep all of them and still write bad English”

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