Six Rules for Writing

1)  Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are accustomed to seeing in print.
2)  Never use a long word when a short one will do.
3)  If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
4)  Never use the passive when 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.

 -- George Orwell