I’d recommend Orwell’s articles on writing. And Korzybski for thinking and writing.
Down voted for this? Well, maybe I was unclear. I certainly didn’t mean to suggest that you should write like Korzybski does. Yes, he’s a rather painful read. Just apply the insights he provides about thinking and communicating to writing.
That was me; sorry for not explaining the downvote. Perhaps it merited a disagreeing comment more than a downvote, but I was lazy/in a hurry. I actually haven’t read any Korzybski, but consensus among linguists is that Orwell’s articles on writing are pretty awful and he doesn’t take any of his own advice in his works.
I’ve read Orwell’s articles, and found value in them. I think his advice works for communicating ideas, and making them stick. As for not always taking his own advice, Orwell grants as much in the articles.
But thanks for clarifying your objection. And it did give me a chance to clarify my position on Korzybski. I had to work hard to get past his writing style to get the value out of his work, which is considerable.
I’d recommend Orwell’s articles on writing. And Korzybski for thinking and writing.
Down voted for this? Well, maybe I was unclear. I certainly didn’t mean to suggest that you should write like Korzybski does. Yes, he’s a rather painful read. Just apply the insights he provides about thinking and communicating to writing.
That was me; sorry for not explaining the downvote. Perhaps it merited a disagreeing comment more than a downvote, but I was lazy/in a hurry. I actually haven’t read any Korzybski, but consensus among linguists is that Orwell’s articles on writing are pretty awful and he doesn’t take any of his own advice in his works.
I’ve read Orwell’s articles, and found value in them. I think his advice works for communicating ideas, and making them stick. As for not always taking his own advice, Orwell grants as much in the articles.
EY has an article on Orwell. http://lesswrong.com/lw/jc/rationality_and_the_english_language/
But thanks for clarifying your objection. And it did give me a chance to clarify my position on Korzybski. I had to work hard to get past his writing style to get the value out of his work, which is considerable.