George Orwell has two main ambitions in his essay "Politics and the English Language." One is to present a set of grammatical rules for good writing. The other is to show the political and social implications of good (or bad) writing.

For this assignment, write a brief essay in which you address the following two questions.

1. Do you find Orwell's grammar rules (described, for example, in "Pretentious Diction," "Dying Metaphors," or the list on pg. 170) useful and reasonable? Do they sound good to you? Any of the rules that particularly stand out for you? Why? Are there any rules you think are unnecessary or out-of-date (Orwell wrote the essay in 1946). Evaluate Orwell's rules for good writing, using one, two, or a few examples.

2. What does good grammar have to do with good politics and government, according to Orwell? Why is it politically dangerous to write "badly," as Orwell defines it? How do governments and politicians use "bad" writing to control or deceive the public? How can good writing counter bad politics? Describe the "politics" of writing and why Orwell associates bad writing with bad politics.

Please organize your own thoughts in your response as much as possible. Your response should be 750 words (about 2 and a half pages) total, typed format, and double-spaced.