George Orwell’s “Politics and the English Language” Rhetorical Précis Essay

Goerge Orwell, in â€Å"Politics and the English Language†, demonstrates how to effectively express oneself with written language. To do so, Orwell states the â€Å"dos† and â€Å"don’ts† of effective writing. Because the rules for writing effectively are so complex, Orwell utilizes parallel structure to make the body structure of his essay more cohesive: â€Å"†¦ it has nothing to do with archaism†¦ it is especially concerned with the scrapping of†¦ It has nothing to do with correct grammar†¦ it is not concerned with†¦ Nor does it even imply†¦ though it does imply†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Orwell). Orwell interlaces multiple parallel structures to give the body both unity and a back-and-forth feel that keeps the audience on their toes. If he had not done so, his arguments would have quickly become repetitive and monotonous. Although Orwell specifically states that â€Å"correct grammar and syntax†¦ are of no importance†, one can see that he has gone to great lengths to achieve an engaging effect through syntax. The back-and-forth action of the body paragraphs and his self-contradiction alludes to a rule he introduces later in the writing: â€Å"Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous† (Orwell). He then goes on to break a number of his previously stated rules, some more blatantly than others: â€Å"†¦ send some worn-out and useless phrase†¦ into the dustbin† (Orwell). He also uses polysyllabic diction at some points, though he expressly states to â€Å"Never use a long word where a short one will do†. His contradiction of himself may at first leave some readers puzzled, but ultimately establishes the concept that a writer should not be afraid to break conventions to make a point.