Journal Entry #7

In this essay, Orwell suggests that the English language is on the decline because the people who use English are misusing the language. What sort of things does he mention as proof that the English language is in trouble? He say,"It becomes ugly and inaccurate because our thoughts are foolish, but the slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts." He also describes that we have made many mistakes over the years with the English language and have not taken the proper time to fix these mistakes. He also says we have staleness of imagery and lack of precision in our language.

Orwell wrote this essay almost 60 years ago. Do you think the English language is in a better or worse condition than when Orwell wrote his essay? Can you think of modern examples of how people misuse language? I personally believe that the English language is in a worse condition than when Orwell wrote his essay for sure. Some modern example would be the slang that people decide to use now in our everyday language. There is also text messaging that leads to this bad use of and English, and i would also blame rap music as another destruction to the English language.

What do you think of Orwell’s list of rules to improve your writing? I think that Orwell makes some very good points with his rules, and many of them should be followed as a criteria for better writing. I like the rules that he has made and will try to incorporate them to the essays that I write.

Orwell wrote the following in the provided excerpt:

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. Afterward one can choose -- not simply accept -- the phrases that will best cover the meaning, and then switch round and decide what impressions one's words are likely to make on another person.

What do you think he means when he suggests that one should focus on “pictures and sensations” before one sits down to put words on the page? I think he means one should analyze and let thoughts come into their head as they look at pictures and sensations because this will ultimately create better writing. Have you ever done this? Yes, I have done this and i do believe it works, but sometimes as a writer I do not feel I have enough time to sit and do this before each paper I write. Does it help you write better? Yes, when I have taken the time to do this it does help me to write better and have more creative ideas.