The Elements of Expression

As a narrator, Richard Waterhouse meets the challenge of narrating a book about a topic many consider to be utterly boring: grammar. He does admirably well with Plotnik's writing, charts, and lists, trying to infuse them with personality and energy as much as possible. It's not so much that Plotnik's writing is not up to par but that but explaining grammar in any format is not easy. Plotnik's insights about language early in the book guide the listener while his later chapters about word usage are less engaging. Waterhouse's use of emphasis helps make most things clear, but the helpful charts are lost in the transition to audio. L.E. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine

April 1, 1996
This entertaining potpourri of thoughts about words by the associate publisher of the American Library Association touches on a variety of philological concerns. Plotnik (Elements of Editing) fails to lead with his strength: not a trained linguist, he does draw a distinction between prescriptive and descriptive grammar, coming down heavily in favor of the latter and ignoring possibilities of compromise. But he gets into trouble when he classifies all expressions as either standard or substandard, allowing for no distinction between formal and informal usage and accusing "authorities" of giving slang, jargon, argot and the like roughly equal status But once he turns to the steps leading to expressiveness, he is most effective, demonstrating a fine ability to choose quotations from writers past and present that really sing. He deals with verbal power, cliches, borrowing apt phrases from others, jargon and even public speaking. A helpful little compendium for writers and speakers wishing to brush up on their prose.