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The Elements of Expression: Putting Thoughts into Words
by
Arthur Plotnik (Goodreads Author),
Jessica Morell
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...more
Nothing kills radiance like the murky, generic language dominating today's talk, airwaves, and posts. It...more
Paperback, 2nd. ed., revised and expanded, 347 pages
Published
June 12th 2012
by Viva Editions
(first published 1996)
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I loved Plotnik's other book about words, Better Than Great: A Plenitudinous Compendium of Wallopingly Fresh Superlatives, and The Elements of Expression is written in the same witty, conversational style. Plotnik's intelligence and logophilia is evident on every page. I am writer, and like many writers I know I have a whole shelf of books about how to write, how to improve my writing and writing style, how to get published, etc, that I've only glanced through but never read. I decided to give E...more
Elements of Expression isn't a writing guide per se - within this guide you can find advice on public speaking, letter writing, and undulling your conversation. Despite this broad focus I found this book to be the most helpful thing I've read on writing this year. I will confess at times I got lost on what point Plotnik was trying to make, but I didn't care because his writing is so enjoyable.
This is an update of a book first released in 1996. It manages to be both instructive and highly readable, though I went through it pretty slowly thanks to a constant urge to copy bits and pieces down into the list of fun words I keep in my writing notebook. Everyone who writes or speaks or just likes language should read it.
There is much we can all learn from this book. Inspirational at the very least and valuable suggestions can be found in it. Makes me want to increase the number of different words I use.
Nothing to fear here. This is not a grammar book, stuffed with rules and death threats for breaking those rules. Still, Plotnik lands punch after punch, waking the reader to pursue expression over mining the already stripped caverns of diatribe common in communication.
I'm currently reading the new updated July 2012 edition, send to me via his publisher (Cleis Press).
Good, clean expressive work capable of instructing without the boredom of a text book.
Highly recommended.
Apr 29, 2013
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Arthur Plotnik is the author of eight books, including "Spunk & Bite: A Writer's Guide to Bold, Contemporary Style" and two Book-of-the-Month Club selections: "The Elements of Expression" (revised and expanded in 2012) and "The Elements of Editing." Among his many publications are award-winning essays, biography, short fiction, and poetry. He studied under Philip Roth at the Iowa (Graduate) Wr...more
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“If grammar is the skeleton of expression and usage the flesh and blood, then style is the personality.”
—
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Dec 15, 2012 06:49pm