4UI Orwell Essay

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4UI Orwell Essay

• An Exemplar

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Introduction

• Language is art. The author is the artist and
  the reader interprets the art. Diction and
  syntax weave a canvas for the mental images the
  author displays to the reader. Clarity and
  precision give structure to the masterpiece,
  while metaphors, vigorous verbs and colourful
  adjectives in the art allow the reader to create
  an individual interpretation. Ideally, political
  writing should model this art if it lacks colour
  and creativity, it should, at least, be clear and
  precise. Realistically, political writing, when
  analyzed, shows good and bad qualities. Bad
  political writing confuses and bores the reader
  with jargon and redundancies good political
  writing, on the other hand, with vivid
  adjectives, forceful verbs and effective sound
  devices like assonance, alliteration and
  onomatopoeia, drives the reader to emotion
  through the mental images it creates.

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Body Paragraph 1

• First, bad political writing is polluted with
  jargon and redundancies that make the meaning
  unclear and the reader uninterested. After
  meeting in Munich with Hitler in 1938, Nevill
  Chamberlain gives a statement
• We are resolved that the method of consultation
  shall be the method adopted to deal with any
  other questions that may concern our two
  countries, and we are determined to continue our
  efforts to remove possible sources of difference.
• Chamberlains statement is ambiguous the reader
  is confused at the outcome of the political
  meeting. The writing is littered with jargon.
  Wordy expressions such as, We are resolved and
  the method of consultation are vague and
  imprecise. Chamberlains pledges to deal with
  any other questions and to continue our
  efforts are abstract and inactive. Phrased
  economically, his statement could be replaced
  with, We will answer any questions and cooperate
  with Germany. One of George Orwells six rules
  for good writing, If it is possible to cut a
  word out, always cut it out, supports this
  revision.

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Body Paragraph 1 contd.

• Furthermore, his writing is redundant, and
  therefore, indirect. Chamberlains phrase, the
  method shall be the method adopted to deal with
  any other questions, reeks of dignity and
  importance, but is repetitive and without precise
  meaning. As a result, the reader feels detached
  from his statement. Perhaps Chamberlains intent
  is to keep the meetings results and his position
  to himself. Bad political writing, saturated
  with jargon and redundancies, is dull and
  confusing.

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Body Paragraph 2

• In contrast, the vigorous verbs, adjectives and
  effective sound devices, like assonance,
  alliteration and onomatopoeia, of powerful
  political writing awaken an emotional response
  from the recipients. In his acceptance address
  for the Sylvanus Thayer Award, delivered May 12,
  1962, General Douglas MacArthur draws the
  audience into the horrid reality of war through
  his strong language. The listener visualizes the
  soldiers
• bending under soggy packs, on many a weary
  march from dripping dusk to drizzling dawn,
  slogging ankle-deep through the mire of
  shell-shocked roads, to form grimly for the
  attack, blue-lipped, covered with sludge and
  mud, chilled by the wind and rain, driving home
  to their objective.
• MacArthur personalizes the war for each audience
  member with verbs like slogging and chilled,
  the audience can imagine themselves in the midst
  of war, victim to the blustery weather and pawns
  in a political game.

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Body Paragraph 2 contd.

• They experience the cruelty of war with
  shell-shocked roads and soldiers that are
  blue-lipped and bitter cold. MacArthurs
  diction is intentional each vibrant adjective is
  deliberately chosen and placed. His language is
  powerful. Furthermore, phrases like dripping
  dusk and drizzling dawn, examples of
  alliteration, assonance and onomatopoeia, make
  the battlefield come alive to the listeners.
  Their emotions unit with MacArthurs words as he
  exposes them to the inhumane nature of war. The
  powerful, well-chosen words of a seasoned army
  general recreate the harsh reality of a wartime
  world that is unknown to most people. The
  effective sound devices and vibrant verbs of good
  political writing capture the hearts and minds of
  the recipients.

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Conclusion

• In conclusion, strong and inventive political
  writing, with properly chosen verbs and
  adjectives and effective sound devices, lures the
  listeners or readers emotions to the authors
  words on the contrary, the lifeless jargon of
  bad political writing is perplexing and dull,
  creating a chasm between the authors meaning and
  the readers comprehension. George Orwell, in
  his essay, Politics and the English Language,
  thinks of language as an instrument for
  expressing and not for concealing or preventing
  thought. Language should open, not lock, the
  door to communication. The use of language is an
  art the artist can paint muddled and blotted
  pictures or a clear and beautiful masterpiece.