The Elements of Expression: Putting Thoughts Into Words [Paperback]

Arthur Plotnik (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0595091180 | ISBN-13: 978-0595091188 | Publication Date: January 2000

“Humorous, thought-provoking, and right on the mark.”—Library Journal

There are many grammar and usage books that give advice on correct English—this isn’t one of them. This is, instead a compact, popular guide to expressiveness as a goal apart from getting it right. Written with wit and humor, it offers writers, speakers, and self-improvers a fresh look at how they express (or fail to express) their thoughts and feelings. Elements of Expression offer readers many engaging examples of adventurous language that will not only capture attention, but help them communicate a greater range of meanings and experience.

Those who want to write correctly will turn to other books. Those who care about language and want to write vividly, forcefully, effectively—in a word, expressively—will turn to this lively and informative guide. Richard Lederer, author of Crazy English says, “The Elements of Expression invites writers and speakers to make language that actually inhales and exhales, language with its shirtsleeves rolled up and eyes ablaze.” (Well put!)

Arthur Plotnik is a versatile author whose works include the classic The Elements of Editing—a Book of the Month Club selection—as well as The Elements of Authorship. In his career with the American Library Association, he earned numerous distinctions as publisher, author, and editor. Reviewers have consistently praised Plotnik's writing for its accuracy, style, and wit, often ranking it with Strunk & White in practicality.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This entertaining potpourri of thoughts about words by the associate publisher of the American Library Association touches on a variety of philological concerns. Plotnik (Elements of Editing) fails to lead with his strength: not a trained linguist, he does draw a distinction between prescriptive and descriptive grammar, coming down heavily in favor of the latter and ignoring possibilities of compromise. But he gets into trouble when he classifies all expressions as either standard or substandard, allowing for no distinction between formal and informal usage and accusing "authorities" of giving slang, jargon, argot and the like roughly equal status But once he turns to the steps leading to expressiveness, he is most effective, demonstrating a fine ability to choose quotations from writers past and present that really sing. He deals with verbal power, cliches, borrowing apt phrases from others, jargon and even public speaking. A helpful little compendium for writers and speakers wishing to brush up on their prose.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

This is a well-written guide to making your writing more expressive, done by the associate publisher of ALA Editions who is also the author of the best-selling Elements of Editing (1982). After first lamenting the paucity of modern expression--a pattern he attributes to our age of standardization and mass media--Plotnik gives an overview of grammatical theory and standard English. He then provides numerous tips on how to write or speak in a lively, engaging, and forceful fashion. In an especially effective technique, Plotnik lists, in two-column format, the same sentiment expressed first in conventional language and then in more adventurous prose, often in the form of exquisite quotations from some of our best writers. These examples are accompanied by compact, insightful analysis on exactly how the language connects or fails to do so. Other topics covered include the judicious use of quotations, cliches, speechmaking, and jargon. A valuable book for both neophyte and veteran writers and speakers. Joanne Wilkinson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (January 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595091180
• ISBN-13: 978-0595091188
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,211,604 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Arthur Plotnik, in spite of his funny name, is a versatile author with a distinguished background in editing and publishing. Two of his works have been featured as Book-of-the-Month Club selections: "The Elements of Editing," a standard reference through some 20 printings, and "The Elements of Expression: Putting Thoughts into Words." Reviewers have consistently praised Plotnik's writing for its accuracy, style, and wit, often ranking it with "The Elements of Style" (Strunk & White)in practicality. However, his popular "Spunk & Bite: A Writer's Guide to Bold, Contemporary Style" (Random House)challenges some of Strunk & White's inhibiting dictates as it guides the writer to more risk-taking, more adventurous, more publishable prose.

His latest book, published in spring 2011 by Viva Editions, is titled: "Better than Great: A Plenitudinous Compendium of Wallopingly Fresh Superlatives." It offers 6,000 alternatives to "great," "awesome," "amazing" and other shopworn terms of praise and acclamation. (www.freshsuperlatives.com) Former Poet Leaureate Billy Collins calls it "AMEN-ASTONISHING!"

A native of White Plains, N.Y., Plotnik studied under Philip Roth and Vance Bourjaily in the Iowa Writers Workshop. After an Army stint, he served as a staff writer on the Albany (N.Y.) Times-Union, where novelist-to-be William Kennedy worked across the city desk, puffing cigars.

Plotnik ground out 22 pseudonymnous potboilers for the Scott-Meredith Literary Agency, some of them while completing work on the second of two master's degrees (English, library service). In his return to respectability, he surfaced in Washington, D.C, as press and public relations assistant to the Librarian of Congress and newsletter editor. He was later a magazine editor in New York, where the second of his two daughters was born.

As a publisher, Plotnik brough five national awards to the American Library Association's book imprint. He won numerous honors also as editor of "American Libraries," ALA's flagship magazine.

Plotnik has written scores of magazine articles and columns, seven nonfiction books (including his first writer's guide, "The Elements of Authorship") and short stories and poems. He has appeared in publications ranging from "La Prensa" (Bolivia) and "Playboy" to "The New York Times" and "Los Angeles Times." A contributor to "The Writer Magazine" and member of its editorial board, he has also contributed to "Britannica Book of English Usage" and the "American English" column of "American Way" in-flight magazine.

A passionate observer of trees, he is author of "The Urban Tree Book: An Uncommon Field Guide for City and Town," illustrated by his wife, the artist Mary H. Phelan. "The New York Times Book Review" called this work "indispensable." On July 4 of the Constitution's 200th birthday year (1987), the National Archives published his "The Man Behind the Quill," a biography of the Constitution's calligrapher, Jacob Shallus. The award-winning book was highlighted in "Time" magazine and praised as "a small miracle of research."

A popular speaker, Plotnik taught briefly in the journalism department at Columbia College in Chicago. Special honors include service as a charter board member, American Book Awards, and first place in the prestigious "Verbatim" national competition for essays on the English language. He is listed in "Who's Who," "Contemporary Authors," "Journalists of the United States, and other directories of writers and journalists. He lives in Chicago and is represented by literary agent Roger Williams of New England Publishing Associates.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars it could makes you talk and write more better, January 21, 2003

By 

Dewey B. (Strawberry Plains, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Elements of Expression: Putting Thoughts Into Words (Paperback)

Believe it or not I keep this book by my bed and enjoy reading the anecdotes over and over. The book is fun and a helpful tool if you are new to public speaking. Plotnik is a wordsmith who loves what he writes about. Sure, if you want a pedantic, academic, in depth, boring, "The Bible" of editing, writing, and grammar you should buy the Chicago Manual of Style. If you want to have fun with a good coaching on expressiveness this book will help. I know it made me change the way I did any public speaking. Plotnik made me analyze my speeches, and now I am aware of the sins which could make my speeches stink. Plotnik's sense of humor is a treat in the world of serious-language-salad-tossers, and he doesn't hold back any punches. In addition, his book entitled, Elements of Authorship, is one of the most depressing books I've ever read, but I would highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in writing. We mortals need all the help we can get to embrace expressive communication. Like spitting in the ocean; every little bit helps.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A language book that's fun to read! Excellent., August 21, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Elements of Expression: Putting Thoughts into Words (Hardcover)

The Elements of Expression is a rarity--a book on language that's actually fun to read. If you're a words person, you should glom onto this book. Plotnik illustrates expressive writing and conversation with examples from Shakespeare to Don Johnson. There are two especially pithy chapters: "Grammar and Other Night Sweats" and "Make My Day: The Power of Tough Talk." The book concludes with a witty and original discussion of expressiveness in cyberspace--it's as fresh as today

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Change your expression, change your life!, February 23, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Elements of Expression: Putting Thoughts into Words (Paperback)

I am an Asian who came to this country when I was 25 for a Ph.D. in science and I am in my late 30's. All these years I took my horrible English for granted --awkward, lifeless and monotone. This book was a positive answer after a long search for a solution and finally my English made a much needed quantum leap. Great book!