Warm Up: Match the euphemism with its definition.

People often use euphemisms to soften an expression, be polite, or sometimes to be purposely impolite.

Character Lines Short

Bun In The Oven Dead

Have words with someone Firing an employee

Between Jobs Use the bathroom

Three cards short of a full deck Pregnant

Pushing The Daisies Wrinkles

Vertically challenged Get in an argument

Find the little boy's room Crazy, mentally ill

Letting someone go Unemployed

Partner challenge: What 2 terms/concepts have the highest number of euphemisms???

Remember, people often use euphemisms to soften an expression, be polite, or sometimes to be purposely impolite.

DEATH

SEX

Game Plan: Orwell’s “Politics & The English Language”

Number paragraphsVocabulary list Summarize article & key ideasAnalysis Activities

Vocabulary List

decadent/decadencearchaismslovenlinessfrivolousviceidiomhackneyedevocativepretentious

jargonparodyeuphoniousscrupulouseuphemismobsoleteprefabricatedfolliesorthodoxy

Summarize

After reading the article, summarize the key ideas on an index card. What is Orwell’s main argument in this essay?

Bad Writing “Tricks”

In your own words, describe the tricks writers use to “dodge” (or, avoid) expressing a precise meaning/idea.

1.Dying Metaphors:2.Operators or verbal false limbs:3.Pretentious diction:4.Meaningless words:

List Orwell’s Rules for “good” writing

1.2.3.4.5.6.

Analysis Activities

Metaphors: Highlight moments in the essay where Orwell uses metaphors/imagery to convey his meaning.

Discussion Questions

What do you think of Orwell’s argument that poor language leads to corrupt thought?Is there a natural tendency for languages to degenerate?

The context of this essay is political. Orwell’s purpose in his essay is to warn us about the effects of inaccurate and ambiguous language used by politicians to manipulate the public and gain power? Do you agree this is a concern? Do you find this idea relevant today?