Farnsworth's Classical English Style

Fantastic work on what excellent English style looks like. Farnsworth's sections on etymology were marvelous, and I loved the plethora of examples from great English-speaking orators throughout the work. Between the advice and examples, it's probably one of my favorite works on English style that I'......more

An excellent guide for all writers and speakers. When you read this book, you will notice the absence of quotations from anyone within the last 60 years. Rhetoric, writing, grammar, and many similarly out of fashion things used to be taught. Their absence is reflected in the quality of writing and o......more

This book joins Farnsworth’s Classical English Rhetoric and Classical English Metaphor on my shelf of prized references. Together they make a strong trilogy. The pleasure of Farnsworth’s books is in the clarity of his distinctions and the quality of the texts he chooses for illustration, mostly draw......more

Finally a book on style that doesn't just promote simplicity and economy. The use of examples feels overdone but are important in trying to develop the reader's ear and eye to the techniques.......more

The main argument made in Farnsworth’s Classical English Style is that good writing involves the balancing of contrasts. Many of these contrasts are rhythmic, and one good way to vary rhythmic flow, treated extensively in the first part of Farnsworth’s book, is to set off polysyllabic Latinate words......more