Journal Entry #7

1. 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?
2. 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?
3. What do you think of Orwell’s list of rules to improve your writing?
4. 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? Have you ever done this? Does it help you write better?

1. Orwell mentions that the English language is in trouble because it lacks imagery, precision, and uses the example of foolish thoughts/language. Imagery lacks in our writing because the writer doesn't know how to express the meaning or doesn't know what the word/phase actually means. Orwell also says that due to fact that out thoughts are foolish, it makes the language appear ugly and inaccurate.
2. Since Orwell has written this essay over 60 years ago, I believe that the English language has gotten worse. because of new technology. New technology has allowed us to be lazy with writing proper and shortening the words by losing letters and replacing them with numbers or symbols and using acronyms. For example,instead of says hello, we may say hey, whats good, or whats poppin'. When texting, we may use acronyms like lol, j/k, lmao, dnt,cum, etc. I have seen people use the symbols for wats ^ to stand for whats up. This is a shame because it makes the English language improper to those who may want to learn it correctly.
3. I believe that Orwell's rules to improve writing are very simple and may change a writer's work. They are common sense and are something we just have to look out for when writing.
4. When Orwell says to focus on "pictures and sensations" he means to visually see ,know, and understand what you may be talking about and that will change the way you writing. It also allows you to plan a prewrite and elaborate on the meaning of your writing.