Elements of Expression - Softcover

Plotnik, Arthur

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0595091180 ISBN 13: 9780595091188

Publisher: Iuniverse Inc, 2000

Synopsis

“Humorous, thought-provoking, and right on the mark.”—Library Journal

There are many grammar and usage books that give advice on correct English—this isn’t one of them. This is, instead a compact, popular guide to expressiveness as a goal apart from getting it right. Written with wit and humor, it offers writers, speakers, and self-improvers a fresh look at how they express (or fail to express) their thoughts and feelings. Elements of Expression offer readers many engaging examples of adventurous language that will not only capture attention, but help them communicate a greater range of meanings and experience.

Those who want to write correctly will turn to other books. Those who care about language and want to write vividly, forcefully, effectively—in a word, expressively—will turn to this lively and informative guide. Richard Lederer, author of Crazy English says, “The Elements of Expression invites writers and speakers to make language that actually inhales and exhales, language with its shirtsleeves rolled up and eyes ablaze.” (Well put!)

Arthur Plotnik is a versatile author whose works include the classic The Elements of Editing—a Book of the Month Club selection—as well as The Elements of Authorship. In his career with the American Library Association, he earned numerous distinctions as publisher, author, and editor. Reviewers have consistently praised Plotnik's writing for its accuracy, style, and wit, often ranking it with Strunk & White in practicality.

About this title

About the Author

An award-winning journalist, magazine executive and book editor, Arthur Plotnik is also the author of The Elements of Authorship and the best selling The Elements of Editing. A former publishing executive for the American Library Association and a member of American Forests, he lives in Chicago with his wife, artist Maty Phelan.

From Publishers Weekly

This entertaining potpourri of thoughts about words by the associate publisher of the American Library Association touches on a variety of philological concerns. Plotnik (Elements of Editing) fails to lead with his strength: not a trained linguist, he does draw a distinction between prescriptive and descriptive grammar, coming down heavily in favor of the latter and ignoring possibilities of compromise. But he gets into trouble when he classifies all expressions as either standard or substandard, allowing for no distinction between formal and informal usage and accusing "authorities" of giving slang, jargon, argot and the like roughly equal status But once he turns to the steps leading to expressiveness, he is most effective, demonstrating a fine ability to choose quotations from writers past and present that really sing. He deals with verbal power, cliches, borrowing apt phrases from others, jargon and even public speaking. A helpful little compendium for writers and speakers wishing to brush up on their prose.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Iuniverse Inc
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0595091180
• ISBN 13: 9780595091188
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 240