The Gift of the Gab: How Eloquence Works
- ISBN-10
- 030021426X
- ISBN-13
- 9780300214260
- Series
- The Gift of the Gab
- Category
- Language Arts & Disciplines
- Pages
- 243
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2016-01-01
- Publisher
- Yale University Press
- Author
- David Crystal
Description
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.
Get the book
Other editions
-
- 2020-02-14
- - pages
- Paperback
- Sage Publications Pvt. Limited
-
- 2019-11-11
- 216 pages
- Ebook
- SAGE Publishing India
Similar books
-
The Gift of Gab: 65 Fun Games and Activities to Help Encourage Speech Development in Your Child
By Francine DavidsFrom babbling babies to young elementary schoolers, this fun, engaging collection of educational games and activities can jump-start language development at any stage.
-
Gift of the Gab
By Morris GleitzmanIt's a normal week for Rowena Batts. A car full of stewed apples. A police cell. A struggle to keep Dad off national TV. Then her world turns upside down.
-
Gift of the Gab: The Irish Conversation Guide
By Tadhg HayesA seemingly easy question like 'You're not from around here are ye?' requires a far more detailed reply than 'No, I'm not'.
-
The Introvert’s Edge to Networking: Work the Room. Leverage Social Media. Develop Powerful Connections
By Matthew PollardA sequel to Pollard’s international bestseller The Introvert’s Edge: How the Quiet and Shy Can Outsell Anyone, this book masterfully confronts the stigma around the so-called extroverted arena of networking.
-
Rambling On: An Apprentice's Guide to the Gift of the Gab
By Hrabal, BohumilSeveral of these stories were rejected by the Communist censors during the 1970s; this first English translation features the original, uncensored versions.
-
Do You Talk Funny?: 7 Comedy Habits to Become a Better (and Funnier) Public Speaker
By David NihillDo You Talk Funny?: 7 Comedy Habits to Become a Better (and Funnier) Public Speaker shows how the key principles of stand-up comedy can be applied to your speaking engagements and presentations to make you funnier, more interesting, and ...
-
The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore
By Benjamin HaleLike its protagonist, this novel is big, loud, abrasive, witty, perverse, earnest and amazingly accomplished.
-
The Gift of the Gab
By Penguin Group AustraliaThe Gift of the Gab
-
Finding My Irish
By Sharon Shea BossardThe author and her husband journey to Ireland in search of her Irish roots. Discovered are centuries-old family cottages, untold secrets, and heartbreaking accounts of lives rife with hardships, unhappiness,...
-
How to Rap 2: Advanced Flow and Delivery Techniques
By Paul Edwards, Gift of GabFilled with exclusive insights from hip-hop's most innovative artists, such as Tech N9ne, Crooked I, The Pharcyde, Das EFX, Del the Funky Homosapien, and Big Daddy Kane, this book takes you through the intricacies of rhythm, rhyme, and ...