orwell-writing

# Orwell Writing ## Overview Use Orwell's rules and ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English (STE) as practical filters for clear, direct, and honest prose. Use STE by default for technical, instructional, business, and product prose. Apply the rules to both drafting and revision, but do not erase deliberate voice, character, rhythm, humor, or genre when the user clearly wants them. STE has writing rules and a controlled dictionary. Use an approved word with its approved meaning when the dictionary is available. Do not claim strict STE conformance without checking the current ASD-STE100 issue and dictionary. ## Core Rules Remember these rules from "Politics and the English Language": 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. 3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out. 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. ## ASD-STE100 baseline For technical and instructional prose: 1. Use short sentences. Put one main action or statement in each sentence. 2. Use a clear subject and an active verb. Name the actor when the actor matters. 3. Use the same term for the same thing. Do not change a term only to avoid repetition. 4. Use familiar words with one preci...