G
eorge Orwell is in
the news a lot these
days. e primary
driver of that activ-
ity is his famous
novel, 1984. In a lesser-known but
equally fascinating essay written
by Orwell in 1946, Politics and the
English Language, he offers six
rules for effective communication.
As I re-read them today, they seem
as relevant now as they probably
were then.
Can I first say that you really must
read this essay! Check it out in its
entirety at www.orwell.ru/library/
essays/politics/english/e_polit.
It is just so remarkable that while
he wrote this piece more than 70
years ago, he complains so bitterly
about the usage of careless, con-
fusing and unclear language that I
thought it was just written today.
In the essay, Orwell states: "Our
civilization is decadent and our lan-
guage must inevitably share in the
general collapse."
Here, according to George Orwell,
are the six rules for effective com-
munication and a thought or two on
each from me:
66 Security Dealer & Integrator / www.SecurityInfoWatch.com April 2017
Insider Intelligence
BY RIC MCCULLOUGH
Effective Communication:
Old is New Again
1
Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are
used to seeing in print. Orwell mentions worn-out metaphors like "stand
shoulder-to-shoulder," "toe the line," "ride roughshod over," "Achilles' heel," and
many others as examples of over-used metaphors that have lost their mean-
ing. Take the time to create your own phrases that can evoke the kind of "visual
image" you are trying to achieve. Do you think we have any over-used meta-
phors in the security market?
2
Never use a long word where a short one will do.
True that.
3
If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out. In today's busy times,
try to communicate while visualizing people being able to read what you
have to say on a smartphone screen without scrolling.
4
Never use the passive where you can use the active. "e dog ate
my work assignment" is much better than "my work assignment
was eaten by the dog."
5
Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word
if you can think of an everyday English equivalent. e phrase "faux pas"
seems to be used ad nauseam to the point where it is now a bona fide problem.
See what I did there?
6
Break any of these rules sooner than say or do anything outright
barbarous. What exactly does it mean to not be outright barbarous?
Well, it could mean to not be harsh or cruel and try not to show a lack of culture.
You know, like when the nuns used to tell me not to eat with my fingers while my
elbows were perched on the table. Don't do that and don't write like that.
Orwell did begin his guidelines with some really good advice: "Probably it is
better to put off using words as long as possible and get one's meaning as clear as
one can through pictures and sensations. Aerward one can choose – not simply
accept – the phrases that will best cover the meaning."
Not only does this practice get us closer to using clear, specific, concrete
language, but it results in writing that grounds our readers in the sensory
world we all share to some degree, rather than the airy word of abstract
thought and belief that we do not.
You just have to love this level of passion for the writ-
ten word. It is timeless and it proves the point that
clear, concise and effective communication never
goes out of style. ■
» Ric McCullough is vice president of
sales and customer service for PSA
Security Network. To request more
information about PSA, visit
www.securityinfowatch
.com/10214742.