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The Elements of Eloquence
The Elements of Eloquence: How to Turn the Perfect English Phrase | Mark Forsyth
10 posts | 18 read | 38 to read
In an age unhealthily obsessed with substance, this is a book on the importance of pure style, from the bestselling author of The Etymologicon and The Horologicon. From classic poetry to pop lyrics and from the King James Bible to advertising slogans, Mark Forsyth explains the secrets that make a phrase - such as Tiger, Tiger, burning bright, or To be or not to be - memorable.In his inimitably entertaining and witty style he takes apart famous lines and shows how you too can write like Shakespeare or Oscar Wilde. Whether youre aiming for literary immortality or just an unforgettable one-liner, The Elements of Eloquence proves that you don't need to have anything to say - you simply need to say it well.'An informative but highly entertaining journey through the figures of rhetoric ... Mark Forsyth wears his considerable knowledge lightly. He also writes beautifully.' David Marsh, Guardian
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SpaceCowboyBooks
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Today's reading

Bookwomble I find the breaking apart of the word on the cover quite jarring and far from eloquent. Seems like a strange design choice to me. The book itself sounds interesting though 🙂 3mo
SpaceCowboyBooks @Bookwomble agreed, it's a terrible cover. But the book is well written and surprisingly funny. 3mo
33 likes2 comments
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sarahljensen
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Pickpick

I can't say enough about how much I love this dude's books. His blog (The Inky Fool) is also worth your time.

#catsoflitsy #litsycats

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K.Wielechowski
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Pickpick

Interesting and entertaining look at what makes the English language fancy... and so damn hard to figure out

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Texreader
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Tamra Loved it! 4y
BennettBookworm Woah, cool to think about! 4y
GingerAntics I never knew about that big long adjective list, but I was always suspicious of that whole “i before e” thing. (Says the bad speller. lol Autocorrect is my best friend.) 4y
Crazeedi This is amazing to read, but somehow it's TRUE, very very cool 4y
ulrichyumiodd As a non-native speaker, I still haven‘t memorized it 😂 I‘m always hoping to get it right by the sound of it. We did see the rule in class, though! I didn‘t know native speakers didn‘t learn it! 4y
43 likes5 comments
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Daisey
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Pickpick

I felt that I needed a little something different in between holiday listens, so I chose this book that‘s been on my TBR a while. I still think The Etymologicon is my personal favorite of Forsyth‘s books, but this one was also fascinating. It delves into description and examples from various sources of many elements of rhetoric, some of which were familiar to me and many I had never heard named.

#nonfiction #audiobook #Hoopla

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Debblyliz
Pickpick

A fun and interesting book which considers the different parts which made up rhetoric. Full review here: https://thecuriousmagpie2018.wordpress.com/2019/11/22/audiobook-review-the-eleme...

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Krisjericho
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For the #lovetolisten prompt, I chose books that I feel were enhanced by the audio format. These are all great reads, but listening to them as audiobooks gives something extra, whether because of great narration or the importance of language being reinforced by hearing it. I listen to audiobooks ALL THE TIME, and these five are my top picks of all the ones I've heard. #17booklove

heidisreads Absolutely agree with Bossypants being better in audio!! Loved that so so much! 7y
howjessicareads I listened to Etymologicon by Forsyth!! I'll have to look for Eloquence too. 7y
Krisjericho @jess.how I really liked Etymologicon, and the narrator is the same for both books, but Elements of Eloquence was the better of the two, in my opinion. 7y
49 likes3 comments
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little_edition
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Thrilled to bits:) Gerade den lang gewünschten Mark Forsyth ausgepackt. Also sein Buch... Sein TED-Vortrag über Rhetorik war begnadet gut und witzig!!!

3 likes1 stack add
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MrBook
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Pickpick

Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow! This book has taken my reading & writing horizons and tectonically expanded them. It's a systematic approach to various techniques & wordplays that add vibrancy, wit, & esteem to any written work. The audio narrator is magnificent & adds a "Masterpiece Theater" quality to Forsyth's hilarious, flourishing explanations. Do yourself a favor: read this!!! Then read his other books ???. #PairWith: Chivas Regal 12, straight.

KarenUK Sounds great... Stacked! 📚 8y
LitsyGoesPostal This book is awesome! 8y
Alfoster I love that you tell me what to drink while reading this. Now can justify to hubby...@MrBook told me to! 8y
See All 7 Comments
Krisjericho This was my very favorite audiobook of the year last year. So amazing. 8y
MrBook @KarenUK 😁👏🏻 You won't be disappointed. @LitsyGoesPostal Thank you 😊👍🏻! @Alfoster 😂😂😂👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻🙌🏻😎👌🏻!!! Do I have to worry about answering my front door now 😜? @Krisjericho Ohh yeeaahh 😁🙌🏻!!! #KindredSpirits 8y
Alfoster @MrBook Haha! Not unless you live in San Diego!😜 8y
MrBook Oh good 😂👍🏻. 8y
110 likes27 stack adds7 comments
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aalexfitton
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If Shakespeare has trouble with a trick you know it's hard.