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Followers of this blog will know of our admiration for the Plain English Campaign (PEC). Their mission to rid the corporate world of jargon, important-sounding vacuous waffle and ambiguous confusion is to be admired.

But, with every argument must come a counterpoint, and we discovered one very recently in the Guardian’s word blog ‘mind your language.’

The PEC’s view is that by using metaphors such as ‘singing from the same hymn sheet’ and ‘move the goalposts’, is to block clear communication and, as a result, miss the message. The Campaign even quotes George Orwell, and his incisive essay ‘Politics and the English Language’: “Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print”.

According to the Guardian writer, though, PEC’s mistake was to condemn metaphors in the same way as other over-used cliches such as ‘blue sky thinking’ and ‘ballpark figure’. He says the Campaign’s stance ’betrays a lack of sensitivity to the poetry and evocative power of everyday language’.

To avoid metaphors is to avoid any familiarity for the reader or listener. Newly coined metaphors, he argues, are useful for a fresh insight or idea – but even the most gifted of writers would be hard pushed to come up with many brand new ones.

To use a sprinkling of familiar metaphors in writing or speaking  is to help the reader conjure a vivid picture or inspire thought. The writer mentions Barack Obama’s inauguration speech as a good example.

Ultimately, we’re all on the same team, but the writer’s argument for words is to ‘love them, not distrust them’, to follow the rules of good English but to also use your own  judgement when it comes to using one of the most useful tools a writer has.

Check out President Obama’s Arizona speech earlier this month. His best since become President according to commentators. There’s a guy who understands the power of words: http://bit.ly/eQSn2B

Now that’s what I call creative word play – The Independent lists the UK’s funniest football chants:  http://ind.pn/23LP2P

Following on from last week’s first post on the 12 links of Christmas, here’s the final six websites to keep you occupied over the festive season:

7. Turbo charged novel writing
www.nanowrimo.org

If you’ve always fancied taking the plunge, but put off by the amount of time a novel would take to write, this site may give you the push you need. 30 days in November, 50,000 words, potential fame and fortune…

8. Because nobody’s perfect
www.regrettheerror.com

Regular readers of the Wordsworks blog will know of our love for this site. Retractions, corrections and apologies are documented for your amusement and sometimes, astonishment.

9. The Dictionary, and then some
www.askoxford.com

From the experts: this is the ultimate encyclopedia of words, grammar and punctuation. With something for all ages, from word of the day to puzzles and games.

10. Daily Dose
www.dailygrammar.com

If you would like a more formal approach to learning the vast landscape of grammar, then your search is over. 440 bitesize lessons cover everything from basic punctuation to predicate nominatives.

11. The magic of words
www.wordsmith.org

A community of linguaphiles, dedicated to sucking the marrow out of  literature. Active discussion groups and daily emails mean you’ll never be short of inspiration.

12. Who’s been naughty or nice?

www.portablenorthpole.tv

As the special day approaches, we wanted to share one of the best festive uses of the internet we’ve come across (apart from shopping of course). Create a personalised video message from Santa for the one you love. A simple way to keep the belief alive!