(December 25, 2014 at 1:11 am)Parkers Tan Wrote: He was a fantastic writer, too. His Why Orwell Matters is not only a precise explication of Orwell's relevance -- and amazing foresight -- it is also a beautifully-written book that was simply a pleasure to read. The man was a master of language.
I knew he read Orwell, but I didn't know he wrote a book about him. Oh but as far as his lexicon, It isn't that he had a big one. But I do think he spent way to much focus on that. His messages in his book are important, but if all you do is focus on it looking ornate that message can get lost on the people who need it the most.
God Is Not Great was the only one I found to be an easy read. Hitch 22 I felt he spent too much time name dropping and over did it with his language. "Author of America" about Jefferson was ok but a bit harder for me.
I don't think unless you are writing strictly for Oxford PHDs you need to always write like that. No one is saying dumb it down, but lots of times the words you use if overdone, the message can get lost in it.
I know growing up I had a hard time with learning and not because the subject matter was always hard, but morso that the book and or the teacher was not speaking to me, but talking like an expert and not a layperson.
There is something to be said for simplicity too.
