Since in recent months I've heard or read a number of people urging the reading of George Orwell's "Politics and the English Language," I recently read it. And I'll likely read it again. I can't say I agree with everything it says, but it would do much good no doubt if heeded. You can follow the link above to read the whole of it. Here I only want to reproduce the six rules that Orwell gives for one to decide whether or not to used a word or phrase.
1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
2. Never use a long word where a short one will do.
3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
4. Never use the passive where you can use the active.
5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.
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