...Orwell's "Politics and the English Language" - Writing Prompt In George Orwell's essay, "Politics and the English Language", he discusses how good writing "has nothing to do with correct grammar and syntax, which are of no importance so long as one makes one's meaning clear." In many ways, Orwell is exactly right. The purpose of writing is often times to convey an idea, to relay information, or to make a point. "Correct grammar and syntax" are of much less importance when the purpose of writing is simply to tell of an idea or defend a point/main purpose. I agree with Orwell in which he has stated writing is not all about the wording and strong use of grammar. What makes good writing is the idea behind it and the detailing put into it. In his essay "Politics in the English Language", he explains how dying metaphors, operators or verbal false limbs, pretentious diction, and meaningless words are all just space fillers and are unimportant to the essay itself. He believes they are just a way for the writer to stall and drag on their work. There is a "half-conscious belief that language is a natural growth and not an instrument which we shape for our own purposes.” Words are meant to flow “naturally” and at ease. Instead, modern-day writers, and past writers as well, have made the mistake of forcing words and jumbling them together defeating their purpose in the process. Now, although it is true that the way it is worded doesn't really make up the point of the essay, the wording...
Words: 442 - Pages: 2
...Government & Politics Essay The UK needs a codified constitution: A constitution is a set of laws, rules and practices that authorize the state to govern, also specifying the powers of the governing institution and the formal relationships between them, civilian and the state. There are numerous types of constitution. Constitutions could be codified and uncodified, unitary (Centralized government makes legislation, and passes it down through local authorities) or federal (Power travels up through regional bodies to the centralized state.) The United Kingdom is unique in other words there are just 4 nations around the globe that have a written constitution and the UK is one of them. The others being Israel, Canada and New Zealand. On the other hand the USA is an example of a codified constitution. A codified constitution is a constitution in which key written documents are gathered inside a single document, it is generally known as a written constitution. Additionally they are entrenched, enjoying the protection of higher court. Moreover in a codified constitution laws can only be amended by special provisions. Therefore making it rigid, in other words it is extremely difficult to pass laws in a codified constitution. Alongside this, an uncodifed constitution relies on various sources meaning it is not written down in a single document, this is in contrast to a codified constitution where all the laws are to be found in one single document. In addition an uncodified...
Words: 968 - Pages: 4
...To what extent is the Westminster Electoral system in need of reform? In this essay I will discuss whether or not, Westminster should look to adopt a different type of voting system rather than continuing the use of the current voting system, First Past the Post (FPTP). I believe that first past the post is the best voting system for the UK as it prevents extremists getting into power and also creates a strong government; however I will assess this and take arguments which contradict my opinion into consideration. First past the post is a way of voting in the general election, the UK is split into 650 constituencies and each constituent is asked to vote for a constituency representative. For example Tottenham last voted for Labour MP, David Lammy as the representative. In theory the party with the most winning representatives win. Voters select a single candidate and they do it by checking their name with an ‘X’ on the ballot. First past the post is also a plurality system, the candidate who is deemed as the winner only needs a plurality of votes. This is one of the fundamental rules of first past the post, for example if candidate A got 30,000 votes, candidate B got 22,000 and candidate C got 26,000 votes candidate A would still win although they didn’t get the 50% majority. An advantage of first past the post is the fact that it is raises the likelihood of single member governments. Therefore cabinets do not have to deal and bargain with a minority coalition partner...
Words: 1223 - Pages: 5
...Democracy and participation: Democracy = a political system based on the idea that government should serve the interests of the people. Legitimacy = the extent to which a government has the right to rule and exercise power. Power vs. Authority: * Power= the ability to make someone do something that they would not do of their own free will * E.g - Coercion – the use of force to achieve ends – the military * Authority = the right to exercise power (based on the consent of those being ruled) * E.g - Legal/rational – HOC * E.g – Traditional – HOL Modern democracies have: Political tolerance Peaceful transition of power Free, fair and regular elections The government is accountable to the people The rule of law Freedom of the media Modern democracies have: Political tolerance Peaceful transition of power Free, fair and regular elections The government is accountable to the people The rule of law Freedom of the media What makes a government legitimate? * Referendums (‘Yes’ answers) * High turnout * Free, fair and regular elections * Lack of dissent * Displays of public support How legitimate is the UK? Legitimate | Not legitimate | * House of Commons is elected | * Electoral system unfair and distorts political representation (FPTP) | * Government elected with mandate to govern | * Every government elected has only achieved the minority of the popular vote | * House of Lords has traditional authority...
Words: 2392 - Pages: 10
...Coalition government can possibly have a greater influence on the position of prime minister than any other factor or event. As prime ministers have always had to be mindful about what could pass in the Commons, prime ministers in single party government had important knob to maintain the party in check (patronage powers, institutional (agenda setting) powers, information powers). In a coalition government there is a more formal need to get the approval of the other party. The experience of coalition government has strengthened the prime ministerial power as it has given the prime minister more power from both parties. The prime minister has a minority party that he can run as well as his own party, which makes him have an advantage of making any amendments, he will have the approval if his party ministers and the Liberal democrats ministers. This increases the level of legitimacy because it enables the coalition to have simple agreements with no disagreements (often some disagreements occurs). An example of this is the pupil premium. This is when support is given to some schools that are in dept. This support is given by the Conservatives which appeals to the Liberal democrats and they support it. Another similar factor that has strengthened the prime ministerial power is that once policies have been agreed by the coalition partners, they have additional authority because they are supported by two parties and so represent a consensus view. The coalition also has a strong mandate...
Words: 680 - Pages: 3
...Politics: Luke flower 1. Democratic Legitimacy means that a government has been given by the voters a Democratic Mandate in an election to govern and therefore legally exercises power in the interests of all the people. At a British General Election, for example, a government is held accountable for its policies and the party, or parties, that wins the most seats may be said to have the democratic consent or legitimacy to govern on behalf of the public. 2. A Referendum can be held on Constitutional issues/changes if any changes alter the relationship between different parts of the state (e.g. devolution), or between citizens and the state such as the devolution referendum in 1979 where most Scots voted “yes” but 40% needed was not reached and it was unfavourable in Wales. Also, when there is a history of conflict and an agreement is to be made. Furthermore, If our representatives are unable to come to a decision about an issue or ff the govt feel that there will be much discontentment amongst the public if a decision is made without their consent, i.e. an issue that the people have strong opinions on, such as the EU referendum that is going to take place by the end of 2017. 3. The principle of Parliamentary Sovereignty in the UK means that referendums cannot be binding although it would be very difficult for governments to ignore the results of official referendums. Several important arguments have been raised in support of the increased use of referendums...
Words: 1032 - Pages: 5
...With reference to the source, outline two features of the UK constitution (5 marks) One feature would be that the UK constitution is uncodified which is a unwritten document where as in the majority of countries there is a codified constitution which is a single document an example of this would be the American constitution, drafted around 200 years ago, which is written down on a piece of paper and lays down the rights of American citizens and also the powers of her government. Another feature would be that the UK constitution derives from a number of sources one of them being statute law, law passed by government. The fact that our constitution is unwritten means that there is no system of formal checks and balances on the government but in reality there a number of powerful forces which means that a government is restricted in what they wish to do Assess the strengths of the UK constitution (25 marks) The UK constitution has many advantages too it but can also weigh our government down and doesn’t always benefit our society. One strength would be that the balance of power lies mostly in the executive branch. The Prime Minister can be very decisive and is able to make essential decisions this moves power to centralization, which is the movement of power to Westminster. An example of this would be when Thatcher refused to engage with growing cause for the devolution of powers to Scotland and Northern Ireland. This benefits...
Words: 1158 - Pages: 5
...president Bush formally declared a “war on terror”. Overnight America’s relationships with Russia, China and India improved. Britain and Australia were also seen as close allies. President Bush and his supporters stressed the need to go on the offensive against terrorists, to deploy the U.S. military, and to promote democracy in the Middle East. (Gordon 07). The U.S is fighting a war on terror and must remain on the offensive. The Bush administration feel, that U.S. power is the foundation of global order, and the spread of democracy and freedom is the key to a safer and more peaceful world. (Gordon 06). Therefore I feel that neo-conservatism and Realism are the theories of International Relations that are most useful in understanding world politics today. Terrorism is a multi-faced problem and requires an aggressive and long-term solution. Any...
Words: 2090 - Pages: 9
...The Vietnam War was the longest lasting military conflict in American History. What was originally fear of communist expansion became one of America’s most expensive and strenuous efforts, consuming over fifty eight thousand American lives. As casualties increased throughout the 1960’s, so did the domestic opposition to the war. In turn, large-scale protests and a lack of trust between government and its people rose. Today many of the war’s details remain unclear; however, Hollywood has had its hand at depicting what occurred. This paper provides an analysis of the Vietnam War, as well as its depiction in the 21st century film industry. “The Deer Hunter,” “Born on the 4th of July” and “Casualties of War” are three different interpretations of the war in both foreign and domestic settings. Each film offers a different point of view, varying from social, political, and military perspectives. Following the Second World War, the French set forth an effort to regain their former colonial possession of Indo-China, which had been occupied by the Japanese throughout the war. After nearly a decade, the French were unable to establish a presence in what they called their “inheritance”, and as a result withdrew under the Geneva Accord in 1954. Meanwhile conflict within the regions of Vietnam created instability. A communist regime called the Peoples Army of Vietnam (PAVN), headed by Ho Chi Minh obtained power of the North. In contrast Ngo Dinh Diem established an interim government that...
Words: 2039 - Pages: 9
...presented itself the people would vote or lean towards that leader’s perspectives and or campaign. I think that siding with Mary P. Ryan’s Antebellum Politics as Raucous Democracy would be most beneficial because it is the one essay that sounds mostly what is our democracy is like today. The idea of a democracy is where a system of government is ran by the whole population or all the...
Words: 896 - Pages: 4
...POG 100 First Draft Marking Template Research Paper First Draft | Marker’s Alias: Leonhart | | Author’s Alias: Spearow | I. STRUCTURE/ORGANIZATION | Comments | Introduction: HookDoes the essay begin with a hook/brief introduction that situates the topic more broadly? The hook should make it evident why the topic is interesting and important to generalist and specialist audiences.Does it draw the reader’s interest? How could it be improved? | Positive * Hook introduces the topic in a great way, by analyzing a healthy government, and introducing the topic of how, to succeed it needs the help of the people who vote them in. Improvements * The author could give an example of a regime that turned on its people, (Syria) and thus lead to the overthrowing of the government (Arab spring) to further relate to the reader and gain its interest. | Introduction: Thesis StatementIs the thesis statement easy to identify? E.g. “This essay argues…” Is it clear? Does it make sense? How could it be made clearer and more easily identifiable? | Positive * The thesis is clear and makes sense “this essay will argue that societal politics are derived from the motivations of the middle class as it pertains to the state flourishing” Improvements * The factors that relate to this topic could be further addressed in a few words. What are these economic needs? Etc.… | Introduction: RoadmapDoes the roadmap state how the paper will prove the thesis statement in several parts? E.g....
Words: 1502 - Pages: 7
...brainstorm ideas for an essay using comparison/ contrast organization. You have two choices: * Write an essay that compares and/or contrasts certain aspects of culture in the United States and in your native country. Limit your discussion to the aspects of everyday life listed in the chart (or one you discuss with me). Write from your own experience as an observer of life. * Alternatively, you can compare your native country today to the way it was in your parents or grandparents time. Also, if there is a recent event in your or your parents’ lifetime that revolutionized life in your country, you can compare life before and after the event. You can also write about difference and similarities in rural and urban life in your county. (Don’t’ write about government or politics.) * If you choose the first option, choose one category from the chart to write about. Name the category in the thesis statement. Then divide that category into 3 subtopics. (It is possible to combine categories from the chart in your subtopics, but be sure the three subcategories are closely related. They must both belong to the topic of the thesis statement.) * In other words, the thesis can’t say that there are three differences between country X and the United States. Name the category of differences such as three differences in how people raise children, or three differences in how elders are treated. * For both options, do not write about government or politics. Keep the discussions...
Words: 765 - Pages: 4
...I have always had a grasp on this concept, but for most essays I have writing in my life; the intended audience was always the instructor. Therefore, coming into this class I lacked experience when it came to writing to other audiences and properly constructing my paper for them. The problem paper gave me a chance to do that. There were a few times that I lost sight of the audience throughout the paper. Professor Kissinger said I had good moments of audience awareness and community oriented appeals. This gave me confidence that I was heading in the right direction, but it told me there is still lots of room for improvement. My goal is to have good audience awareness throughout the essay not just moments. Knowing and understanding your audience is important in writing and if you lose sight of it your writing loses its effectiveness. With my community oriented appeals I was also able to tie in some political rhetoric along in my essay, by explaining the consequences if the problem was not fixed. Even though it would have been easier for me to go with assignment 1 for my portfolio I feel like my problem paper help me grow more out of the two...
Words: 584 - Pages: 3
...five feet tall and two feet wide, the face of the rectangle is a dull mauve color, and at the center of the rectangle rests a bean-shaped oblong, jutting out like a flaccid balloon. It’s a fetus, one may think, or a bladder...but what is the point of the piece? The exact purpose of the art piece, the meaning or explanation is not written there plainly. To understand a piece of art like this, one must engage in their own interpretation. Some people appreciate art because they consider it beautiful; some consider it pointless; some consider art necessary to society, and many refrain from further evaluation of art. In his essay “Art for Art’s Sake,” E.M. Forster explores precisely what this essay title proclaims. Forster acknowledges his argument is an “unpopular” one, but strives to ratify some misconceptions about art for art’s sake. In my initial reading of the essay I am not exempt from resisting the idea of art for art’s sake. Immediately, the notion seems to say that art can have no effect on society, and be appreciated nonetheless. I would like to believe, as a green and optimistic young artist, that art should and does have a purpose in society, and Forster’s support of art for art’s sake seems frivolous and occasionally slightly pretentious. To explain why art is in fact eternal, according to Forster, he writes that art has “internal order,” a unique quality that allows the significance of an art piece to last even as time goes...
Words: 2393 - Pages: 10
...I spent plenty of time researching a subject that ties into the topic of lying. I decided on this subject when I sat down and thought about what the things that frustrates me. While thinking of the perfect topic, I had to reject a few ideas such as doctors lying to their patients just so they could get more money. I believe that my topic evolved because I was not able to think of things that bother me but now I am able to get down to the little things and hopefully allow the readers to understand where I am coming from. The writing process is different because with this essay, I have to incorporate secondary sources while the other essays did not require them. During this process, so far, I had to narrow down my topic. My starting topic of...
Words: 366 - Pages: 2
