Nov.20 On Writing Well（Ch20）

Today is the last part--Attitudes 

---

PART ONE SUMMARY

In Chapter 20 on the sound of your voice, Zinsser suggest that writers should avoid breeziness, condescension and clichés when writing ,for English language should be written with respected.

He also mentioned Taste is an invisible current and writers should be awareof it. Choose words that have surprise, strength and precision. If you don’t know how to learn Taste, find the best writers in the fields and imitate them. Finally,remember the uses of the past which may help you to speak eloquently.

---

PART TWO VOCABULARY

1.eloquence/ˈel.ə.kwənt/

Embrace it and it may lead you to eloquence.

eloquence：the ability to use language and express your opinions well, especially when you are speaking in public

e.g.a speech of passionate eloquence

2.contemptuous/kənˈtemptʃuəs/

It’s contemptuous of the English language.

contemptuous：feeling or showing that you have no respect for somebody/something SYNscornful

e.g.She gave him a contemptuous look.

contemptuous of somebody/something

e.g.He was contemptuous of everything I did.

3.cadences/ˈkeɪdns/

The grammar is formal, the words are plain and precise, and the cadences are those of a poet.

(formal)the rise and fall of the voice in speaking

e.g.He delivered his words in slow, measured cadences.

4.ingratiate/ɪnˈɡreɪʃieɪt/

he’s not trying to ingratiate himself with the reader.

ingratiate yourself (with somebody)

(disapproving)to do things in order to make somebody like you, especially somebody who will be useful to you

5.trite

A writer with an ear for language will reach for fresh imagery and avoid phrases that are trite.

(of a remark, an opinion, etc.)dull and boring because it has been expressed so many times before; not origina   SYNbanal

读这章的时候时候不知道为什么和看的一些读书方法有重叠的感觉，少看畅销书看一些名家，可以看名家相关的书。比如sephen king。