Book of the Month: April 2022

01.04.2022

Alina Rahn recommends The Elements of Eloquence: How to Turn the Perfect English Phrase by Mark Forsyth (2013).

"Alliteration, paradox, hyperbole-who in the English department doesn't know these terms, vital for the analysis of prose and poetry alike? But do you also know anadiplosis, hendiadys or epizeuxis? Don't worry, me neither-until I read The Elements of Eloquence. Charmingly written and with a never-ending bout of humor, this book breezes through nearly forty rhetorical figures, explaining what they do and how they do it. Forsyth plucks example from Shakespeare's plays as well as from pop culture like Star Wars, revealing why lines such as 'Grace me no grace, nor uncle me no uncle' and 'Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering' carry such impact and remain memorable for decades and centuries to come. Rhetorical figures can be intimidating and confusing and most of all complex, but Forsyth proves how simple these figures are at their core, all with a light-hearted and amusing tone that belies his depth of understanding.

If you like to do things with language, whether by analyzing literature or writing yourself, this book will be an invaluable companion by your side, teaching you the tips and tricks of rhetoric eloquence, even if sometimes this rhetoric appears to be a talent beyond the ordinary person. In Forsyth's own words: 'Shakespeare got better because he learnt. Now some people will tell you that great writing cannot be learnt. Such people should be hit repeatedly on the nose until they promise not to talk nonsense any more.'"