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 English.
Farnsworth's Classical English Rhetoric
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Sell Back Your Copy for $6.36
No matter where you bought them, get up to 70% back when you sell your books at Amazon.com.
Used Price$16.86
Trade-in Price$6.36
Price after
Trade-in$10.50 |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
Review
"The most immediate pleasure of this book is that it heightens one's appreciation of the craft of great writers and speakers. Mr. Farnsworth includes numerous examples from Shakespeare and Dickens, Thoreau and Emerson, Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln. He also seems keen to rehabilitate writers and speakers whose rhetorical artistry is undervalued; besides his liking for Chesterton, he shows deep admiration for the Irish statesman Henry Grattan (1746-1820), whose studied repetition of a word ("No lawyer can say so; because no lawyer could say so without forfeiting his character as a lawyer") is an instance, we are told, of conduplicatio. But more than anything Mr. Farnsworth wants to restore the reputation of rhetorical artistry per se, and the result is a handsome work of reference." --Henry Hitchings, Wall Street Journal
"Not only educational but delightful." --David Mamet
"Every writer should have this book." --Erin McKean, editor of Verbatim: The Language Quarterly and CEO of wordnik.com
"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 of The Elements of Legal Style
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. --Carlin Romano, The Chronicle of Higher Education
"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, syndicated columnist
"Not only educational but delightful." --David Mamet
"Every writer should have this book." --Erin McKean, editor of Verbatim: The Language Quarterly and CEO of wordnik.com
"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 of The Elements of Legal Style
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. --Carlin Romano, The Chronicle of Higher Education
"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, syndicated columnist
From the Back Cover
Advance Praise for Farnsworth's Classical English Rhetoric:
Not only educational but delightful.
- David Mamet
I must refrain from shouting what a brilliant work this is (præteritio). 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 of The Elements of Legal Style
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, syndicated columnist
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, are unchanging.
- Victor Davis Hanson, co-author of Who Killed Homer?: The Demise of Classical Education & the Recovery of Greek Wisdom
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
54 of 59 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
History and modern perspectives blend in this outstanding guide!
December 13, 2010
Format:Hardcover
Farnsworth's Classical English Rhetoric is a 'must' for any college-level linguistics library and for students interested in literary traditions and the English language. The basic elements of effective speaking and writing, patterns that lend to power, and tips for writers who would use the English language more effectively make for a fine tutorial illustrating invaluable rhetorical usage. History and modern perspectives blend in this outstanding guide!
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By rbnn
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
By far the best description of rhetorical figures in English. The book is distinguished from other works by the vast repertoire of examples used to support each figure and especially by the detailed analysis of the nuances of use of particular figures.
For example, the chapter on praeteritio (saying things by not saying them), rather than giving a few examples, as is typical, has about fifty. These examples are subdivided into classes depending on exactly how the figure is used, "I will not speak of...", "Never mind that", "short-lived promise", "withheld details" and so on; and there is another classification of the various purposes of the figure - e.g. to gain credit for discretion, to enhance the force of, to limit debate, or for amusement. The author carefully describes how different variants of each figure support some particular point.
The examples are drawn mainly from nineteenth century sources, especially Dickens and Melville, although Churchill is frequently cited.
My only minor complaint about the book is that the title is slightly more general than the contents. The book is really about Classical English Rhetorical Figures, not Rhetoric generally. There is not much on structuring an argument generally, for instance, which is classically considered part of rhetoric.
Because of the multitude of interesting examples and the fine gradations in the use of each figure, the book is fun to read or leaf through. It is produced with great care and craftsmanship overall as well.
For example, the chapter on praeteritio (saying things by not saying them), rather than giving a few examples, as is typical, has about fifty. These examples are subdivided into classes depending on exactly how the figure is used, "I will not speak of...", "Never mind that", "short-lived promise", "withheld details" and so on; and there is another classification of the various purposes of the figure - e.g. to gain credit for discretion, to enhance the force of, to limit debate, or for amusement. The author carefully describes how different variants of each figure support some particular point.
The examples are drawn mainly from nineteenth century sources, especially Dickens and Melville, although Churchill is frequently cited.
My only minor complaint about the book is that the title is slightly more general than the contents. The book is really about Classical English Rhetorical Figures, not Rhetoric generally. There is not much on structuring an argument generally, for instance, which is classically considered part of rhetoric.
Because of the multitude of interesting examples and the fine gradations in the use of each figure, the book is fun to read or leaf through. It is produced with great care and craftsmanship overall as well.
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
There being few customer comments on this book so far, perhaps my thoughts can help other potential buyers (and readers).
I read a review of this book in the Wall Street Journal. I couldn't sample it online, and so bought it on faith, with a hope that it would be educational and enjoyable. I was not disappointed.
I've read several books on rhetoric, and I was familiar with some of the the devices described in this book. Where it excels is in having many examples of rhetoric in action. The author's commentary is concise and quite helpful.
I actually fell in love with this book from reading the introduction - a fine piece of writing on its own.
I read this book with colored pencils in hand, and I'm sure I'll refer to it in the future.
I read a review of this book in the Wall Street Journal. I couldn't sample it online, and so bought it on faith, with a hope that it would be educational and enjoyable. I was not disappointed.
I've read several books on rhetoric, and I was familiar with some of the the devices described in this book. Where it excels is in having many examples of rhetoric in action. The author's commentary is concise and quite helpful.
I actually fell in love with this book from reading the introduction - a fine piece of writing on its own.
I read this book with colored pencils in hand, and I'm sure I'll refer to it in the future.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Useful compendium of a forgotten, but always relevant, art
I use this in my composition and lit classes. Students shouldn't be limited to merely recognizing and analyzing, but should also regularly imitate and compose themselves. Read more
Published 5 days ago by Devin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Solid technical Rhetoric
This book gets one aquainted with the formal termanolgy of Rhetoric, and has a very nice and readable organization (and font!). Read more
Published 13 days ago by mrobinson52
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful book
I like the examples of Rhetoric devices. Will improve our ability to persuade and converse and write. It gives me a better appreciation of how thoughts and words can make impacts.
Published 1 month ago by Lincoln Oro
5.0 out of 5 stars
what to do, NOT what not to do
Most books on usage or rhetoric are compendiums of bad usage or bad rhetoric: what not to do. They are often amusing, but there is something lacking. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Michael A Brooks
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Savored Read
Farnsworth's is best savored in small portions over coffee, much like a perfect croissant. I use just his name as this book is Classic in my eyes. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Kathleen R Beland
5.0 out of 5 stars
Appreciate rhetoric and the English language
For those who enjoy the aesthetic possibilities of written and spoken English, "Farnsworth's Classic English Rhetoric" must be in their library. Read more
Published 8 months ago by D.H. Gonzalez
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delightful -- But how about an index
I would have loved an index of quotations by author. Perhaps Mr. Farnsworth might consider posting one of the book's website? Otherwise a delightful and fascinating read.
Published 11 months ago by J. Chimienti
4.0 out of 5 stars
A curious gem
This book is a mostly charming oddity. As other reviewers note, it is eighteen chapters, each devoted to a particular rhetorical device given both its classical name and a... Read more
Published 15 months ago by C. Ackerman
3.0 out of 5 stars
Hardback does not mean sewn binding...
When will book publishers return to the practice of sewing bindings? This highly recommended reference book, which will be used over and over, has a glued binding. Read more
Published 17 months ago by D. Botkin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Teaching by Example
This is one of the best examples of teaching by example that you ever will see. The rhetorical concepts highlighted by the author usually go by their original Greek names. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Gary T. Johnson
