Eloquent Writing

[Cognisant]

Where can I learn to write eloquently?

Say for instance I want to write a letter to someone to thank them or console them or congratulate them, how do I say more than the obvious?

 

[The Gopher]

Well first we start with the basic sentence.

Hey thanks for the gift.



This is what you are trying to say eloquently.

First you add adjectives and verbs. “And I forgot to tell you, I really like the gift, thanks”
Then you replace all adjectives, verbs and adverbs that are. “Really, very, like…” And the like.


And I forgot to tell you, I appreciate the gift, thanks.


Then remove “And, Or etc at the start of the sentence and add fancy words and emotion like.


“I was beseeched by my soul; torn towards writing to inform you that I could bear this no longer. My life fades as I remember how I never truly bestowed my gratitude in regards to your gift. Please, I beg of you, no! I implore you, to forgive this great sin. I can only apologise profusely and dream of your mercy in this matter. Without doubt I sensed your displeasure at my rudeness. I say to you now, from the bottom of my heart; I shall treasure this gift to the very grave! Thus I thank you for it.


But while almost completely incorrect there is a grain of truth to it. You just add a bunch of lesser used words (thesauruses) in longer (but not too long) flowing sentences that vary in length. (monotone paragraphs are the worst) Throw in a but of emotional fluff (repeat ideas in different ways) and hey presto!



So in order to learn to write eloquently just read a bunch of eloquent books and emulate the writing style. In jest or otherwise the effect works out the same.

 

[Cognisant]

Ahhh "emotional fluff" there's the problem.

 

[TheManBeyond]

pay an enfj to do the job

 

[The Gopher]

Eloquent writing is all about being inefficient. I guess it's also a way of saying "I took the extra time writing to you in particular for reasons that are entirely emotional"

 

[Cæilon]

Think of metaphors and then metaphor those metaphors.

 

[EditorOne]

All those suggestions don't really inject elegance. Elegance in writing involves not lavish use of extra words, but concise use of precise words, used gracefully, to communicate anything you want, emotions or thoughts, concepts, principles, axioms, whatever. Elegance in writing is a taking away of nonessentials until what is left is perfect. Using more words than necessary just makes writing turgid, opaque and pretentious.

"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your county" is an easy example of a few words conveying an entire philosophy.

If you want to gracefully express yourself in a thank you note or anything else, it is very helpful to put the 19th Century paradigm of etiquette into your head. It is not a bunch of rules about which fork to use or whether to use "my compliments" or "my respects" depending on the social status of the recipient; it is simply phrasing your thoughts and behavior to never make the other person feel at a disadvantage. Your exchange is all about them, nothing about you. Don't talk about how you feel (shaky ground for us, right?). Talk about the thought and care they put into the gift you received, the work they put into a graduation or promotion, the strength it takes to carry on after the death of a loved one or loss of a job or divorce. You can be guided by your emotions - you might feel sad for a loss, happy for a gift, etc. - just don't talk about your own emotions. That's grace.
The final ingredient could be tying yourself to the occasion: "I can never think about your father without remembering the time we ripped a plank on his boat on a snag and had water gushing in. He just lit his pipe and said, "Better bail faster." "I will think of you every time I bring in a brookie on this fly." "Senior manager? Every now and then management does make the right choice! Your company is stronger for your promotion." Write about your memories or thoughts; your emotions will guide the selection.

I trust this makes sense. I'm rushed, late to an appointment, but i couldn't let this slide. :-)

 

[BrainVessel]

Eloquent writing is all about being inefficient. I guess it's also a way of saying "I took the extra time writing to you in particular for reasons that are entirely emotional"

I would argue that eloquent writing would require being most efficient.
The best poetry has no unnecessary words, everything is intricately hand-picked for the exact feeling one is trying to describe. As in "I took the extra time and respect you enough to not just say things to say things, but say them because I mean them"(unless you don't mean it and you just want to get someone on your good side then by all means bullsh*t your way through it )

Your example seemed like more of a 1800s dialogue that I might use to playfully message a friend, not necessarily eloquent.


My advice would be to read a lot of literature/poetry and try your hand at some yourself. Always keep a dictionary on hand everywhere you go and become familiar with the exact meanings of words. It's a lifestyle so it's going to be a process and you won't be able to utilize the skill well right away. You're first attempts are going to be crap, but with a desire to manifest the skill and being on the constant lookout for beautifully written sentences you'll get the pattern soon enough.
You have to think in verse, always keep a notepad or a notes app on your phone because inspiration will come and go quickly.

Proofreading this... I'm not an INFP I swear

 

[Cognisant]

Spoiler

If you want to gracefully express yourself in a thank you note or anything else, it is very helpful to put the 19th Century paradigm of etiquette into your head. It is not a bunch of rules about which fork to use or whether to use "my compliments" or "my respects" depending on the social status of the recipient; it is simply phrasing your thoughts and behavior to never make the other person feel at a disadvantage. Your exchange is all about them, nothing about you. Don't talk about how you feel (shaky ground for us, right?). Talk about the thought and care they put into the gift you received, the work they put into a graduation or promotion, the strength it takes to carry on after the death of a loved one or loss of a job or divorce. You can be guided by your emotions - you might feel sad for a loss, happy for a gift, etc. - just don't talk about your own emotions. That's grace.
The final ingredient could be tying yourself to the occasion: "I can never think about your father without remembering the time we ripped a plank on his boat on a snag and had water gushing in. He just lit his pipe and said, "Better bail faster." "I will think of you every time I bring in a brookie on this fly." "Senior manager? Every now and then management does make the right choice! Your company is stronger for your promotion." Write about your memories or thoughts; your emotions will guide the selection.

That's perfect

 

[Ex-User (9062)]

Make a draft of what is deeply in your soul,
then censor it according to the cultural boundaries.
This is not a creative writing exercise.

 

[computerhxr]

It depends on the audience. Some readers understand logic and reason, others understand stories, and others need to taste. Who are you writing to?