1. Compson

    Compson New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2014
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0

    Deeper Construction

    Discussion in 'Non-Fiction' started by Compson, Apr 3, 2014.

    Let me start off by saying I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking for but...

    I work as a political pollster. Basically, I write short political arguments or biographical narratives, then we survey several hundred people and ask how convincing they are.

    I'm still in the early stages of my career and I've never been a natural writer, nor did I study English in college, so I'm looking for some resources that may help me break down the components of these paragraphs and help me write more powerful rhetoric. While I'm not a high-end writer, I am good at recognizing patterns, and hoping I can use that skill to my advantage.

    I wouldn't mind a text that was extremely technical in its deconstruction and explanation of sentences. Or maybe I'm looking for something else. I've looked into books on linguistics but I'm not convinced that is what I'm after.

    Any suggestions? Thanks.

    Andrew
     
  2. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 1, 2008
    Messages:
    23,826
    Likes Received:
    20,815
    Location:
    El Tembloroso Caribe
    I don't have an answer for you (sorry :(), I'm just letting you know that I moved your thread to a subforum where it will get more of the right kind of foot-traffic. ;)
     
  3. thirdwind

    thirdwind Member Contest Administrator Reviewer Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2008
    Messages:
    7,851
    Likes Received:
    3,339
    Location:
    Boston
    Read short political arguments and biographical narratives written by other writers, and learn from them. That's the only thing I can think of.
     
  4. minstrel

    minstrel Leader of the Insquirrelgency Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    Messages:
    10,742
    Likes Received:
    9,991
    Location:
    Near Sedro Woolley, Washington
    Your post doesn't give much to go on, but you could try these:

    Notes Toward a New Rhetoric, by Francis Christensen and Bonniejean Christensen

    Artful Sentences: Syntax as Style, by Virginia Tufte

    Building Great Sentences: Exploring the Writer's Craft, by Brooks Landon (a course offered by The Teaching Company)
     
  5. David K. Thomasson

    David K. Thomasson Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2013
    Messages:
    344
    Likes Received:
    128
    Location:
    Lynchburg, Virginia
    I've made my living, and still do, at the sort of writing you describe -- short (and long) political arguments to persuade people. That includes editorials, op-ed columns, speeches, project descriptions, and funding proposals, to name a few. So I'll offer a couple of suggestions.

    Distinguish between clarity and persuasion (rhetoric), and learn them separately.

    You can't persuade anyone of anything if you can't write clearly, so start with that. I recommend this book and this book. The second is my favorite, though both authors teach essentially the same principles. I learned more from George Gopen in a month or so than I had learned in the previous 20 years of writing for pay.

    For the persuasive part, I don't know of any shortcuts. Rhetoric goes clear back to Aristotle. You can Google for books on rhetoric, but there's a lot more to it. Study advertising and marketing, because both require you to get at people's psychology -- their emotions and motivations. To persuade anyone of anything, that's where you have to go. This is one book worth buying and studying.
     
  6. Bryan Romer

    Bryan Romer Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2014
    Messages:
    889
    Likes Received:
    391
    Look up books and courses on writing propaganda.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice