A many-faceted exploration of spoken eloquence: how it works, how
it has evolved, and how to tap its remarkable power We all know
eloquence when we hear it. But what exactly is it? And how might we
gain more of it for ourselves? This entertaining and, yes, eloquent
book illuminates the power of language from a linguistic point of
view and provides fascinating insights into the way we use words.
David Crystal, a world-renowned expert on the history and usage of
the English language, probes the intricate workings of eloquence.
His lively analysis encompasses everyday situations (wedding
speeches, business presentations, storytelling) as well as the
oratory of great public gatherings. Crystal focuses on the here and
now of eloquent speaking-from pitch, pace, and prosody to jokes,
appropriateness, and how to wield a microphone. He explains what is
going on moment by moment and examines each facet of eloquence. He
also investigates topics such as the way current technologies help
or hinder our verbal powers, the psychological effects of verbal
excellence, and why certain places or peoples are thought to be
more eloquent than others. In the core analysis of the book,
Crystal offers an extended and close dissection of Barack Obama's
electrifying "Yes we can" speech of 2008, in which the president
demonstrated full mastery of virtually every element of
eloquence-from the simple use of parallelism and an awareness of
what not to say, to his brilliant conclusion constructed around two
powerful words: dreams and answers.
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Review This Product
An excellent book
Mon, 10 Oct 2016 | Review
by: Chris G.
Apart from being a series of reminiscences and anecdotes from his extensive personal experience as a public speaker, this is also a most entertaining read, as well as a wonderful guide on how to succeed as a public speaker, no matter in what area.
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