More than ever in this completely updated edition, The Elements of Expression helps word users "light up the cosmos or the written page or the face across the table" as they seek the radiance of expressiveness―the vivid expression of thoughts, feelings, and observations. Nothing kills radiance like the murky, generic language dominating today's talk, airwaves, and posts. It tugs at our every sentence, but using it to express anything beyond the ordinary is like flapping the tongue to escape gravity. The Elements of Expression offers an adventurous and inspiring flight into words that truly share what's percolating in our minds. Here writers, presenters, students, bloggers―even well intentioned "Mad Men"―will discover language to convey precise feelings, move audiences, delight and persuade. No snob or scold, the acclaimed word-maven Arthur Plotnik explores the full range of expressiveness, from playful "tough talk" to finely wrought literature, with hundreds of rousing examples. Confessing that we are all "like a squid in its ink" when first groping for luminous expression, he shines his amiable wit on the elements leading, ultimately, to language of "fissionable intensity."

From the Author:

This new and expanded version from Viva Editions beams one of my most cherished (and much-lauded) titles into today's wild arena of expression and expressiveness, where only the mighty get thumbs-up from the crowd. Here are a few words from my new preface:
      "[When the first edition came out in 1995] in came raves from reviewers and readers, selection by The Book of the Month Club, newspaper features, radio interviews, brisk sales, admiring fans, yadda yadda yadda. The point is, the book earned a solid seal of approval. But then . . . to be fair, so did Windows 95, and everyone knows how useful 1995 software is today unless deftly updated.
      "Well, I have updated the book---on top of updates for two interim versions. For this present and most complete revision, I've refreshed hundreds of stale bits, replaced dozens of outdated items with current material, and written seven timely "sidebar" features and a major new wrap-up section [on achieving 'intensity']. I believe, however, that the book's greatest strength remains its core advice, delivered with compassion for all who struggle with expression.
   " . . . This new version has benefited from two other, recent books (and scores of articles) I've done on contemporary language and style. For these projects I've had to ponder the madly competitive writing environment and what it takes to break through; the seductive ease of online expression; the tug of worn, generic language on conversation and public discourse. I've looked at literary and popular styles, at fashions in slang, including---ay yo!---rap and hip hop. All such ponderings have informed this revision. . . . . "

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

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Elements of Expression: Putting Thoughts Into Words

Plotnik, Arthur

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