1. 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 LinesShort Bun In The OvenDead Have words with someoneFiring an employee Between JobsUse the bathroom Three cards short of a full deckPregnant Pushing The DaisiesWrinkles Vertically challengedGet in an argument Find the little boy's roomCrazy, mentally ill Letting someone goUnemployed

2. 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.

3. DEATH SEX

4. Game Plan: Orwell’s “Politics & The English Language” Number paragraphs Vocabulary list Summarize article & key ideas Analysis Activities

5. Vocabulary List decadent/decadence archaism slovenliness frivolous vice idiom hackneyed evocative pretentious jargon parody euphonious scrupulous euphemism obsolete prefabricated follies orthodoxy

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

7. 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:

8. List Orwell’s Rules for “good” writing 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

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

10. 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?