IMPROVE YOUR

WRITING WITH
ORWELL'S SIX
QUESTIONS
Vocabulary
Image (noun)
a mental picture of a person or thing
To be successful, one needs a clear
image of the future.

Power (noun)
the ability to do something
After the accident, he lost the power
of speech.

Avoidably (adverb)
in a way that can be stopped or
prevented
Try not to use avoidably long
sentences in your essays.
Vocabulary
General (adjective)
including only the main or most
important aspects of something; not
detailed
The best way to improve your general
English skills is to read more.

Express (verb)
to communicate one's thoughts,
opinions, etc. through words or
actions
Her eyes expressed her sadness.

Stale (adjective)
no longer new or exciting
The movie was full of stale jokes.
George Orwell, the British author
whose works include Animal farm
and 1984, said that a careful writer
will ask themselves at least four
questions about each sentence they
write. Let's look at each one and how
they can improve your writing.
1. WHAT AM I TRYING TO SAY?
Orwell believed that one cause of bad prose was writers only having a general
idea of what they are trying to say. He said that it's important to think carefully
about what you want to communicate.
2. WHAT WORDS WILL EXPRESS IT?
Orwell argued that knowing what you are trying to say allows you to choose the
best words to say it. If you're not exactly sure what you're trying to say, Orwell
said, you're more likely to use what he called "stale" language to express yourself.
3. WHAT IMAGE OR IDIOM
WILL MAKE IT CLEARER?
Using an image or idiom can help explain an idea. However, Orwell said writers
must make sure these are new and interesting.
4. IS THIS IMAGE FRESH ENOUGH
TO HAVE AN EFFECT?
Orwell said that a new expression is much better at creating a strong idea in
people's minds and helping them understand what you are trying to say than a
well-known one. He argued that old phrases have lost their power to create ideas
in people's minds.
Orwell also offered two more useful
questions for writers to ask themselves:
“Could I put it more shortly?" and
“Have I said anything that is avoidably ugly?"
Discussion

What are your thoughts on George Orwell's questions for writers?

Have you read any of Orwell's works?
What are the most useful writing tips you've ever heard?
Does your job require you to do a lot of writing?
Who's the best writer you know?
Who are the most famous authors from your country? Do you like their work?