Economist style guide

#book

The Book in 3 Sentences

How the Book Changed Me

Key Messages

Actionable Advice

Summary + Notes

Clear thinking is the precursor of clear writing. There for think what you wish to say, then express it using simple language.

Six laws of English writing (George Orwell):

  1. Never use a metaphor, simile or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
    • Avoid using cliche languages, since they have lost their power in creating a mental image, use plainly language instead
    • "Think out side of box" -> "Think critically"
  2. Never use a long word where a short one will do
    • Use simple and directed words rather than seemingly "intelligent and sophisticated" phrases
  3. If it is possible to cut out a word, always cut it out.
    • "Due to the fact that..." -> "Because of..."
  4. Never use the passive where you can use the active.
    • Active is more vigorous and direct
    • "The ball was chased by the dog" -> "The dog chased the ball"
  5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
    • "leverage" -> "use"
  6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.
    • Don't change the sentence meaning by enforcing previous laws.

Meta writing guidelines

  1. Do not be stuffy, use language of everyday speech rather than spokesman
  2. Do not be hectoring or arrogant, those who disagree with you are not necessarily stupid or insane
  3. Do not be too pleased with yourself, don't boast your cleverness
  4. Do not be too chatty, be informative and concise
  5. Do not be too didactic, If too many sentences begin Compare, Consider, Expect, Imagine, Look at, Note, Prepare for, Remember or Take. This makes your writing sound like text book, eroding audience attention on content.
  6. Do your best to be lucid, do not sacrifice clarity with sophisticated style

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