Modern writing at its worst does not consist in picking…
““Modern writing at its worst does not consist in picking out words for the sake of their meaning and inventing images in order to make the meaning clearer. It consists in gumming together long strips of words which have already been set in order by someone else, and making the results presentable by sheer humbug. The attraction of this way of writing is that it is easy. It is easier -- even quicker, once you have the habit -- to say In my opinion it is not an unjustifiable assumption that than to say I think.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage condemns formulaic writing that recycles existing phrasing and pretends depth by substituting opinion for analysis, emphasizing that true clarity requires original thought, not mere rehashing.
In simple terms: Critique of lazy, opinion‑driven prose.
Key Takeaway
Original insight beats recycled language.
Themes
authenticity
clarity
critical thinking
writing style
intellectual honesty
Mood
critical
skeptical
inquisitive
Type
advice
critique
observation
When to use this quote
- academic essays
- opinion columns
- blog posts
- political speeches
- media commentary
Key Concepts
originality
argumentation
language precision
Practical Applications
- teaching writing fundamentals
- editing for clarity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you ensure your writing adds new perspective?
- What habits foster genuine analysis over superficial opinion?