Do You Know?

Turn to Chapter 10 which deals with “Figures of Speech” which enhance your writing if not overdone. These include Similes and Metaphors, Rhetorical questions, Hyperbole, Oxymoron, Litotes, Paronomasia, Anastrophe, Alliteration, Euphemism, Syllepsis, Aposiopesis and Antithesis.

Spend some of your time studying those seven pages. You will find the subject quite interesting. Take Euphemism for example:

Euphemism consists of using a mild or inoffensive expression in place of one which might be objectionable in some way, eg

(a) She passed away last night = She died.

(b) He gave me some advice concerning my conduct = He scolded me.

(c) He is not quite his normal self = He is insane.

You are asked to note that there are also about twenty other figures of speech. Among those not mentioned in Etherton’s book is Sarcasm, which the Oxford English Reference Dictionary describes as: The use of bitter or wounding, esp ironic, remarks; language consisting of such remarks.

It is not recommended for use by non-professionals. I was talking with a former pupil of mine, and when I bemoaned the fact that I had fallen into the use of sarcasm as I had in a previous article, she reminded me that I had merely joined the company of Jonathan Swift (1667-1745), author of GULLIVER’S TRAVELS, the famous satire published in 1726 which has remained a favourite with readers throughout the years.

Incidentally, I have been trying to persuade my former pupil to gradually give up her job — one of high responsibility in the community — to concentrate on writing which she does so well. Can you imagine that? She would be such an asset to our group, and we need good writers.

Today, I wish to draw to your attention how powerful sarcasm can be. I had asked you to save the article dated July 23rd, hoping to get back to it sooner. If you did save it, and you re-read it now, you will realise again that it is loaded with sarcasm right from the start.

This, I suppose, is just a temporary phase born out of frustration, but to quote Shakespeare’s use of the double superlative, “the most unkindest cut of all” is the section that indicates that not only will inability to write good English not affect the price of anything in the shop, but it will not affect the chances of your getting a job either as a writer or as a proof-reader. What a terrible thing!

And the article ends with the reinforcement that not knowing English grammar will not affect the price of anything.