Overview
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 in this lively analysis. 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.
Full Product Details
Author: David Crystal ,
Derek Perkins
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Imprint: Tantor Audio
Edition: Library Edition
Dimensions:
Width: 17.00cm
, Height: 1.80cm
, Length: 15.50cm
Weight: 0.227kg
ISBN: 9781665237895
ISBN 10: 1665237899
Publication Date: 27 March 2018
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Audio
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Available To Order
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Reviews
Narrator Derek Perkins is a wonderful choice for this work on the art of eloquence by renowned language expert David Crystal.-- AudioFile David Crystal knows more about language than anyone alive, and here he applies his expertise and wisdom to the art of eloquence. This lively and endearing book explains why we respond to great speakers, and how you can become a better one. -- Steven Pinker, author of The Language Instinct Rhetoric has its own algebra, and Crystal deciphers it superbly. -- Times
Author Information
David Crystal is an independent scholar with lifelong experience as a lecturer, public speaker, and broadcaster. An honorary professor of linguistics at the University of Bangor, he lives in Holyhead, U.K. Derek Perkins is a professional narrator and voice actor. He has earned numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration, as well as numerous Society of Voice Arts nominations. AudioFile magazine named him a Best Voice consecutively in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Augmented by a knowledge of three foreign languages and a facility with accents, he has narrated numerous titles in a wide range of fiction and nonfiction genres.
