Overview

Masters of language can turn unassuming words into phrases that are beautiful, effective, and memorable. What are the secrets of this alchemy? Part of the answer lies in rhetorical figures: practical ways of applying great aesthetic principles--repetition and variety, suspense and relief, concealment and surprise--to a simple sentence or paragraph. Farnsworth's Classical English Rhetoric recovers this knowledge for our times. It amounts to a tutorial on eloquence conducted by Churchill and Lincoln, Dickens and Melville, Burke and Paine, and more than a hundred others. The book organizes a vast range of examples from those sources into eighteen chapters that illustrate and analyze the most valuable rhetorical devices with unprecedented clarity. The result is an indispensable source of pleasure and instruction for all lovers of the English language.

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9781455123926

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Reviews

I must refrain from shouting what a brilliant work this is (praeteritio). Farnsworth has written the book as he ought to have written it--and as only he could have written it (symploce). Buy it and read it--buy it and read it (epimone). -- Bryan A. Garner, author ofThe Elements of Legal Style Every writer should have this book. -- Erin McKean, editor of Verbatim: The Language Quarterly Ward Farnsworth's invaluable review of classical English rhetoric is not only a vital tool for aiding clear expression, but a timely reminder that, despite the confusion of the present technological age, human nature, and our ability to communicate in clear and often beautiful ways is unchanging. -- Victor Davis Hanson, coauthor of Who Killed Homer?: The Demise of Classical Education and the Recovery of Greek Wisdom An engaging and accessible guide, valuable to all who wish to improve their rhetorical skills or better appreciate the abilities of others. -- Library Journal So, dear reader, I say it even if I say it myself--get this book! No, really, get this book! Read clever Farnsworth, and read him again, and you may become more clever yourself. -- Chronicle of Higher Education Mr. Farnsworth, who despite being a professor of law writes clearly and trenchantly, wastes no time here with the trite and the trivial...This wealth of examples, if you will only look into them, will stimulate your interest, gratify your curiosity, and amplify your own writing. -- Baltimore Sun As Ward Farnsworth--a professor of law at Boston University--demonstrates in his witty handbook, the various rhetorical techniques are actually the organizing principles behind vivid writing and speech...More important, this handbook also provides a slew of examples to reveal how great writers have added force and color to their sentences by employing these tropes or figures. -- Washington Post The most immediate pleasure of this book is that it heightens one's appreciation of the craft of great writers and speakers...Mr. Farnsworth wants to restore the reputation of rhetorical artistry per se, and the result is a handsome work of reference. -- Wall Street Journal Many things, from dictators to advertising, have made modern people suspicious of and cynical about language mobilized to move us. Fortunately, Ward Farnsworth's delightful swim in a sea of well-chosen words should help to rehabilitate the reputation of rhetoric. -- George F. Will, New York Times bestselling author and syndicated columnist Not only educational but delightful. -- David Mamet, New York Times bestselling author

Ward Farnsworth's invaluable review of classical English rhetoric is not only a vital tool for aiding clear expression, but a timely reminder that, despite the confusion of the present technological age, human nature, and our ability to communicate in clear and often beautiful ways is unchanging. -- Victor Davis Hanson, coauthor of Who Killed Homer?: The Demise of Classical Education and the Recovery of Greek Wisdom The most immediate pleasure of this book is that it heightens one's appreciation of the craft of great writers and speakers...Mr. Farnsworth wants to restore the reputation of rhetorical artistry per se, and the result is a handsome work of reference. -- Wall Street Journal So, dear reader, I say it even if I say it myself--get this book! No, really, get this book! Read clever Farnsworth, and read him again, and you may become more clever yourself. -- Chronicle of Higher Education Not only educational but delightful. -- David Mamet, New York Times bestselling author Mr. Farnsworth, who despite being a professor of law writes clearly and trenchantly, wastes no time here with the trite and the trivial...This wealth of examples, if you will only look into them, will stimulate your interest, gratify your curiosity, and amplify your own writing. -- Baltimore Sun Many things, from dictators to advertising, have made modern people suspicious of and cynical about language mobilized to move us. Fortunately, Ward Farnsworth's delightful swim in a sea of well-chosen words should help to rehabilitate the reputation of rhetoric. -- George F. Will, New York Times bestselling author and syndicated columnist I must refrain from shouting what a brilliant work this is (praeteritio). Farnsworth has written the book as he ought to have written it--and as only he could have written it (symploce). Buy it and read it--buy it and read it (epimone). -- Bryan A. Garner, author ofThe Elements of Legal Style Every writer should have this book. -- Erin McKean, editor of Verbatim: The Language Quarterly As Ward Farnsworth--a professor of law at Boston University--demonstrates in his witty handbook, the various rhetorical techniques are actually the organizing principles behind vivid writing and speech...More important, this handbook also provides a slew of examples to reveal how great writers have added force and color to their sentences by employing these tropes or figures. -- Washington Post An engaging and accessible guide, valuable to all who wish to improve their rhetorical skills or better appreciate the abilities of others. -- Library Journal

Author Information

Ward Farnsworth is dean and John Jeffers Research Chair at the University of Texas School of Law. He has served as a law clerk to Anthony M. Kennedy of the United States Supreme Court and to Richard A. Posner of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and worked as a legal adviser to the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal in the Hague. He received his JD with high honors from the University of Chicago Law School, and his BA from Wesleyan University. Farnsworth is the author of books on law, philosophy, rhetoric, and chess. He also has published scholarly articles on the economic analysis of law, constitutional law, statutory interpretation, jurisprudence, and cognitive psychology. Bronson Pinchot, an Audie Award-winning narrator and Audible's Narrator of the Year for 2010, received his education at Yale University, which filled out what he had already received at his mother's knee in the all-important areas of Shakespeare, Greek art and architecture, and the Italian Renaissance. He restores Greek Revival buildings and appears in television, film, and on stage whenever the pilasters and entablatures overwhelm him. Jim Meskimen is a stage, film, and television actor who has appeared in many well-known movies and television shows. He acted in Apollo 13 and Frost/Nixon for director Ron Howard, both of which were nominated for Best Picture Oscars. His television appearances include The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Friends, Lie to Me, Criminal Minds, and Parks and Recreation. He is also a painter, award-winning audiobook narrator, and audiobook director for Galaxy Audio.

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