Exploring Linguistic Elements Through Slang Dictionaries and Unique Words

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Discover the rich historical insights hidden in slang dictionaries, showcasing forgotten ways of life through unique words and expressions depicting different time periods. Delve into the evolution of language from Vietnam slang to the impact of texting on communication, highlighting the profound role of writing in various aspects of life. Additionally, explore the significance of establishing voice in writing, memorable lines in poetry, and techniques for crafting love poems, all contributing to the diverse and evolving landscape of language.

What do Katy Perry, Charles Dickens, and the Bible all have in common? They’re responsible for some of the most famous lines in history. And in this episode, you’ll find out why.

Mark, an author and mad scientist of language, reveals the secret sauce to memorable writing: rhetorical devices. Chiasmus. Anaphora. Antithesis. Synecdoche.

Writing today (i.e. texting and Tweeting) is concise and hyper-minimal — which is fine, if you’re writing the instruction manual for a new dishwasher. But the most memorable works of writing lean into the beauty of words. It’s not about using overly purple prose. It’s about using rhetorical formulas to create unforgettable lines, to shape ideas that stick in your reader’s brain.

If you want to write something that sticks in your reader’s brain — a book, a poem, a speech — then this episode is for you.

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