The writing rules of George Orwell

The writing rules of George Orwell

• 
  Never use a long word where a short one will do.
  
• 
  If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
  
• 
  Never use the passive voice (e.g. "Bones are liked by dogs") where you can use the active voice ("Dogs like bones").
  
• 
  Never use jargon if you can think of an everyday equivalent.
  

Verb 1- Action verbs – kick, run, hit, think, love, criticize, discover, explain, etc- thousands of these.

Verb 2- Non-action verbs- am, is, are, was, were, be, been, become, became.

Verb 3- helping verbs- have, has, had, do, does, did, can, could, will, would, may, might, must, shall, should.

In the sentence, Chad will be coming to class later, the verbs include will, be, and coming.

The Subject- To find the subject(s) in a sentence ask yourself, “Who or what does the verb?”

The teachers will be going on strike. - Who or what will be going. . .? – The teachers= the subject.

We built our team spirit through hard work this year. – Who built . . .- We = the subject

Look at the following sentences and ask yourself, “Who or what is performing the action of the verb?” (convert the verb to present tense). If you find that the subject is the actor, then the sentence uses the active voice. If you find that the subject is being acted upon, then the subject is in passive voice.

Please write whether the following sentences are in active or passive voice. Rewrite in opposite voice.

1.Zachary read the newspaper. A OR P

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2.The window was shattered by the baseball. A OR P

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3.“Canadian Idol” is loved by millions of Canadian television viewers. A OR P

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4.The arrow split the apple. A OR P

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5.The MRSS girls’ team captured the B.C. basketball title. A OR P

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6.Klarisse was chased by a dog across the field. A or P

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7.We were seen by the spectators who then cheered us wildly. A or P

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8.Were you asked to participate by the officials? A or P

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9. The airline strike inconvenienced thousands. A or P

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10. Asbestos was found in the ceiling of the gymnasium. A or P

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After two years in Brisbane, Australia was abandoned for the second time. After enjoying six months on a temporary nursing assignment in Dallas, Texas, I traveled to Europe to spend a year touring the many splendid places which were previously missed . . . The next three years were spent working in Canada, the United States and Britain. Each new experience was relished.

“Was abandoned,” “were missed,” “were spent,” and “was relished” are passive.

After two years in Brisbane, I abandoned Australia for the second time. After enjoying six months on a temporary nursing assignment in Dallas, Texas, I traveled to Europe to spend a year touring the many places which I had previously missed. . . (CONTINUE REVISING SO THAT THE LAST TWO SENTENCES USE ACTIVE VERBS.)