The Elements of Expression ─ Putting Thoughts into Words

This is the second, much–updated edition of this funny and useful book. There are many grammar and usage books that give advice on correct English. This isn't one of them. The Elements of Expression targets expressiveness as a goal apart from getting it technically right. Imagine the yawns a sportscaster would induce by announcing, "His bat struck the ball and the ball went into the stands," instead of "He took that ball downtown!" And why say, "I'd prefer it if you didn't volunteer your opinions," if what you really mean is "When I want your advice, I'll beat it out of you" (Chuck Norris, Code of Silence)? Written with uncommon wit and humor, The Elements of Expression offers writers, speakers, and self–improvers a fresh look at how they express (or fail to express) their thoughts and feelings. Plotnik supplies many engaging examples of adventurous language to show the tremendous power of words to describe and enliven human experience. Want merely to write correctly? Turn to those shelf–loads of "proper" books. For people who care about language and want to write or speak forcefully, effectively—in a word, expressively—this is the book to crack open.

Arthur Plotnik is a versatile author with a distinguished background in editing and publishing. Among his seven previous books are The Elements of Editing and The Elements of Expression, both Book–of–the–Month Club selections, and the best–selling Spunk & Bite: A Writer's Guide to Bold, Contemporary Style. His articles, op–eds, and literary pieces have been published widely, including his columns in The Writer magazine, on whose editorial board he serves.