Books on Rhetoric & Prose That You Worship

[seeker007nmss]

Originally Posted by irishgrl

Dick and Jane
three blind mice
the Jabborwock

And the follow up: Dick and Jane's Spot: The Cocaine Years.

[Chilly Willy]

I recommend The Chemist's English by Robert Schoenfeld (1986). Although primarily intended as an aid for technical writing, I've found it helpful for all my writing. I keep copies at each of my four primary work locations.

In addition to being useful, it is also enjoyable! The book is presented as a collection of humorous essays, such as ""A Prowl Among Personal Pronouns," "The Search For The Missing Ablative," and "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Data."

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by sodascouts

Despite the fact that I am pursuing a PhD in literature (admittedly it is 17th century), I am only familiar with the first three of the books you listed. I have no "guiding light" that I study religiously, that's for sure.

I was forced to read several articles on various theories of rhetoric and didn't get much out of them. These, however, focused on utilizing the theory in the classroom which is perhaps why they were disappointing. The theories they expounded upon often have very few practical applications when it comes down to creating a lesson plan. I did enjoy Paul C. Rodger's "A Discourse-Centered Rhetoric of the Paragraph" because it put aside some of the pretension that is seemingly inherent in articles about theory in order to deal with everyday writing.

I can discuss popular prose and rhetoric styles of the seventeenth century much more intelligently. They were very anal about such things back then. lol

I had no idea you were studying that. That's really cool. I wish you luck. I'm sure it's not easy.