Book Reviews › Career › Why I Write

Why I Write by George Orwell — WisdomDeck honest review

Honest review · Career

Why I Write

by George Orwell

Four essays including the title piece and Politics and the English Language. Orwell on motive, clarity and honesty in prose. Short and essential.

Read it if…

you want to write clearly and know why.

See the book →

Skip it if…

no reason.

Try instead: The Paris Review Interviews, Vol. 1 →

Three things you will actually use

Never use a long word where a short one will do.
Political language disguises.
Four motives for writing.

Do this first

Read Politics and the English Language and apply its six rules.

Our verdict

Orwell's rules.

See the book →

Check it out

Opens the book's page in a new tab.

Compare with other Career books

The Paris Review Interviews, Vol. 1 by Edited by Philip Gourevitch — WisdomDeck review

The Paris Review Interviews, Vol. 1

Edited by Philip Gourevitch · Career

Writers on work.

Ernest Hemingway on Writing by Edited by Larry W. Phillips — WisdomDeck review

Ernest Hemingway on Writing

Edited by Larry W. Phillips · Career

Hemingway's advice.

Revision and Self-Editing for Publication by James Scott Bell — WisdomDeck review

Revision and Self-Editing for Publication

James Scott Bell · Career

How to revise.

Browse all Career book reviews or get the free Reality Code Cheat Sheet.

As an Amazon Associate, WisdomDeck earns from qualifying purchases. Links marked “Click to see” go to Amazon. We are not paid for opinions, prices and availability are not shown here and change on Amazon, and we never see your purchase details. Nothing here is medical, legal or financial advice.