Personal Statements & Essay Writing - George Orwell's 6 Rules

George Orwell’s six rules for writing offer a clear framework for improving personal statements and academic essays. By prioritising clarity, precision, logic and simplicity, these principles strengthen essay composition and sharpen expression. Orwell’s guidelines remain some of the most effective essay writing rules students can follow today.

George Orwell’s Six Rules for Writing

Modern English, especially written English, is full of bad habits which spread through imitation. This issue is exacerbated by AI and chatbots, which people often turn to for help when writing, since they are trained off the huge amount of generally poorly written “content” on the internet.

In his essay "Politics and the English Language", George Orwell offers a remarkably simple way of thinking about how we write and express ourselves, subsequently giving his famous “six rules for writing”. These certainly apply to any formal piece, whether a personal statement, professional email, academic essay, or job application, if not to almost every form of writing.

He begins by laying out the principles behind his six rules for writing, and then the rules themselves:

A scrupulous writer, in every sentence that he writes, will ask himself at least four questions, thus:

1. What am I trying to say?

2. What words will express it?

3. What image or idiom will make it clearer?

4. Is this image fresh enough to have an effect?

And he will probably ask himself two more:

1. Could I put it more shortly?

2. Have I said anything that is avoidably ugly?

One can often be in doubt about the effect of a word or a phrase, and one needs rules that one can rely on when instinct fails. I think the following rules will cover most cases:

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.

These are fantastic rules for writing, particularly for anyone seeking a clear personal statement writing guide or practical essay writing tips. They are useful not only in communicating ideas to be clear, accessible, and unambiguous, but also in helping us clarify our own thinking and identify areas of our argument, which we may not be fully able to explain or justify.

Let’s examine each rule in turn:

1.      Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.

Essentially: avoid cliches. They have little meaning, and often different meanings or impressions for different people. An idea is rarely clarified by means of a cliché. As Orwell writes:

A newly invented metaphor assists thought by evoking a visual image, while on the other hand, a metaphor which is technically “dead” (e.g. iron resolution) has in effect, reverted to being an ordinary word and can generally be used without loss of vividness. But in between these two classes, there is a huge dump of worn-out metaphors which have lost all evocative power and are merely used because they save people the trouble of inventing phrases for themselves. Examples are: Ring the changes on, take up the cudgel for, toe the line, ride roughshod over, stand shoulder to shoulder with, play into the hands of, no axe to grind, grist to the mill, fishing in troubled waters, on the order of the day, Achilles’ heel, swan song, hotbed. Many of these are used without knowledge of their meaning, and incompatible metaphors are frequently mixed, a sure sign that the writer is not interested in what he is saying.

2.     Never use a long word where a short one will do.

5.     Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.

I group these writing rules together since they both often result from a temptation to use long or complex words/phrases to make others think we are intelligent or give the impression we have mastery over the topic at hand. This is the opposite of the truth. The better we understand a concept, the better we should be at communicating that idea in simple terms to others without our expertise.

We find in universities that the most senior academics often use the simplest, lowest-syllable language. It is those who are insecure about their own knowledge and skill that dress up their prose in needlessly complex language, presumably to hide this insecurity from others.

Now, there will certainly be times when jargon or complex words are necessary to communicate efficiently, but as a general rule, the simpler you can express yourself, the more a reader will be able to engage with your writing and ideas. Your desired audience should not have to expend any more effort than is necessary to understand what you want to say. They will thank you for this.

Orwell summarises this phenomenon as “pretentious diction”; he elaborates:

Words like phenomenon, element, individual (as noun), objective, categorical, effective, virtual, basic, primary, promote, constitute, exhibit, exploit, utilize, eliminate, liquidate, are used to dress up a simple statement and give an air of scientific impartiality to biased judgements. Adjectives like epoch-making, epic, historic, unforgettable, triumphant, age-old, inevitable, inexorable, veritable, are used to dignify the sordid process of international politics, while writing that aims at glorifying war usually takes on an archaic color, its characteristic words being: realm, throne, chariot, mailed fist, trident, sword, shield, buckler, banner, jackboot, clarion. Foreign words and expressions such as cul de sac, ancien régime, deus ex machina, mutatis mutandis, status quo, gleichschaltung, weltanschauung, are used to give an air of culture and elegance. Except for the useful abbreviations i.e., e.g., and etc., there is no real need for any of the hundreds of foreign phrases now current in the English language. Bad writers, and especially scientific, political, and sociological writers, are nearly always haunted by the notion that Latin or Greek words are grander than Saxon ones, and unnecessary words like expedite, ameliorate, predict, extraneous, deracinated, clandestine, subaqueous, and hundreds of others constantly gain ground from their Anglo-Saxon numbers.

Related to clichés are what Orwell terms “meaningless words”. In our attempt to add profundity to our writing, we may use words in different ways than they are generally understood, or have a meaning personal to us that is different to our audience. These words will tend to obscure our ideas to our audience, rather than clarify them. If you are unsure of how a word will be interpreted or understood, it should be avoided in favour of a word with a more universal meaning. Orwell explains:

In certain kinds of writing, particularly in art criticism and literary criticism, it is normal to come across long passages which are almost completely lacking in meaning. When one critic writes, “The outstanding feature of Mr. X’s work is its living quality,” while another writes, “The immediately striking thing about Mr. X’s work is its peculiar deadness,” the reader accepts this as a simple difference of opinion. If words like black and white were involved, instead of the jargon words dead and living, he would see at once that language was being used in an improper way. Many political words are similarly abused. The word Fascism has no meaning except in so far as it signifies “something not desirable.” The words democracy, socialism, freedom, patriotic, realistic, justice have each of them several different meanings which cannot be reconciled with one another. In the case of a word like democracy, not only is there no agreed definition, but the attempt to make one is resisted from all sides.

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.

I would add: it is always preferable to cut a long sentence into two short ones as long as no meaning is sacrificed in doing so.

At best, excess words and the use of the passive tense contribute to the reader having to put in more effort than is necessary. At worst, they can take clarity away or misrepresent what we need to communicate.

It is worth clarifying that rule 3 does not mean, for example, to eliminate all adjectives. An adjective may communicate an important idea to the reader, in which case it should certainly not be cut out. Rather, this refers to eliminating needlessly long or complex phrases in favour of simpler ones. For example, we may replace “prove advantageous” with “benefit”, or “render inoperative” with “break”.

Orwell categorises these under “operators or verbal false limbs” as follows:

Operators or verbal false limbs. These save the trouble of picking out appropriate verbs and nouns, and at the same time pad each sentence with extra syllables which give it an appearance of symmetry. Characteristic phrases are rendered inoperative, militate against, make contact with, be subjected to, give rise to, give grounds for, have the effect of, play a leading part (role) in, make itself felt, take effect, exhibit a tendency to, serve the purpose of, etc.,etc. The keynote is the elimination of simple verbs. Instead of being a single word, such as break, stop, spoil, mend, kill, a verb becomes a phrase, made up of a noun or adjective tacked on to some general-purpose verb such as prove, serve, form, play, render. In addition, the passive voice is wherever possible used in preference to the active, and noun constructions are used instead of gerunds (by examination or by examining).

6.      Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.

Of the six rules for writing, the final rule is arguably the most important. Whilst the above guidelines may be useful in thinking of how we communicate our ideas, they are only guidelines. Examine what you write, and if you need to sacrifice any of the above in order to prevent any misinterpretation of your work, then that must take priority.  

Why George Orwell’s Rules for Writing Still Matter Today

Although written in 1946, George Orwell’s rules for writing remain relevant today. Students today face a flood of information and AI-generated content, making clarity and originality more important than ever. 

George Orwell’s rules for writing cut through this noise by insisting on precision, simplicity and intellectual honesty. These are not outdated essay writing rules, but enduring principles of effective communication.

Whether drafting a personal statement or a scholarship essay, the same fundamentals apply, such as avoiding clichés, using direct language, and taking responsibility through active voice. For anyone seeking reliable essay writing tips or the best way to write an essay, Orwell’s disciplined approach is still a powerful and practical guide.

Applying Orwell’s Guidelines to Personal Statement Writing

For students seeking practical guidelines for writing a personal statement, Orwell’s principles offer stylistic advice and a framework for disciplined thinking. Personal statements are often weakened by clichés, inflated vocabulary and vague claims. 

Applying George Orwell’s rules for writing encourages students to replace generalised assertions with specific examples. It also explains how to cut unnecessary words and favour active constructions that demonstrate ownership of achievements.

Strong personal statement tips frequently emphasise authenticity, but authenticity depends on clarity. If an idea can’t be expressed plainly, it’s unlikely to persuade an admissions tutor. Writing personal statements that prioritise precision over ornamentation can help applicants distinguish themselves in a competitive field.

From scholarship applications to university submissions, students can benefit from approaching their work as an exercise in careful essay composition. Orwell’s guidelines ultimately remind us that the best way to write an essay, particularly a personal statement, is to say exactly what you mean, and no more.

Essay Writing Rules Students Should Follow

Effective academic work depends on how well essay writing rules are followed. These principles aren’t restrictive formulas, but structural disciplines that support clarity and coherence.

Some of the most important essay rules include precision of language and consistency of arguments. In analytical contexts, English essay tips frequently return to the same foundations. These include defining your terms, supporting claims with evidence, and ensuring each paragraph advances the central thesis.

For students undertaking literary or argumentative assignments, critical essay tips also stress the importance of direct engagement with the question. The best way to write essay responses isn’t through elaborate phrasing, but through disciplined reasoning and controlled expression.

Strong essay composition reflects a structured thought process and a clear awareness of audience expectations.

To Improve Your Child’s Writing Skills, Consult Witherow Brooke

George Orwell’s six rules for writing emphasise that strong writing does not have to try to sound intelligent. Instead, it makes intelligence obvious. 

Clear writing is also rarely accidental - it develops through careful thinking, rigorous feedback and high-level teaching. 

At Witherow Brooke, we recruit exceptional tutors who work closely with students to strengthen their written expression and sharpen their arguments, so they can communicate with confidence and authenticity.

Read the full paper by George Orwell here: https://bioinfo.uib.es/~joemiro/RecEscr/PoliticsandEngLang.pdf