Relearning How to Write

"Politics and the English Language" was very thought provoking. Its very interesting how Orwell wants us to write shorter, simpler and to avoid metaphors. This contradicts what i have learned in high school. Most of the teachers wanted me to write in a higher vocabulary and to use imagery to make the text more interesting. But Orwell makes a good point in by explaining how the meaning of phrases can change depending on the reader. Also active voice is something high school taught me, but i still have difficulty with it and, have to constantly look for it in my second and third drafts.
Speaking of shitty drafts, "Shitty First Drafts" was humorous and educational. I did not know that writers who were professionals had brain farts. I always thought that since they were writers as a profession, that they had ways to avoid writers block. It taught me to just write words down and then revise it later in the second draft. Hopefully this process works the next time I am stumped on an essay.