Vernacular Eloquence What Speech Can Bring to Writing

by Peter Elbow

Since the publication of his groundbreaking books Writing Without Teachers and Writing with Power, Peter Elbow has revolutionized how people think about writing. Now, in Vernacular Eloquence, he makes a vital new contribution to both practice and theory. The core idea is we can enlist virtues from the language activity most people find easiest-speaking-for the language activity most people find hardest-writing. Speech, with its spontaneity, naturalness of expression, and fluidity of thought, has many overlooked linguistic and rhetorical merits. Through several easy to employ techniques, writers can marshal this "wisdom of the tongue" to produce stronger, clearer, more natural writing. This simple idea, it turns out, has deep repercussions. Our culture of literacy, Elbow argues, functions as though it were a plot against the spoken voice, the human body, vernacular language, and those without privilege-making it harder than necessary to write with comfort or power. Giving speech a central role in writing overturns many empty preconceptions. It causes readers to think critically about the relationship between speech, writing, and our notion of literacy. Developing the political implications behind Elbow's previous books, Vernacular Eloquence makes a compelling case that strengthening writing and democratizing it go hand in hand.

Genres: Writing, Education, Teaching, Design, Nonfiction

Unknown Binding

First published December 16, 2011

About the author

Peter Henry Elbow was an American academic who was a professor of English at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he also directed the Writing Program from 1996 until 2000.
As a scholar whose published work raised both academic and popular awareness of scholarship within the field of Rhetoric and Composition, Elbow’s research includes theory, practice, and pedagogy. He is one of the pioneers of freewriting.

Reviews

[Kyle D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

In some circles, Elbow takes a lot of flack. But what I love is how self-aware he is about objections to his work, and how carefully he builds his case.

Yes, this book is really long, and yes he repeats himself a lot. But that repetition always felt careful and friendly, in the way that a kind uncle takes the time to explain himself with wit and clarity.

Especially helpful are the scattered pedagogical tidbits, which will help me rely on the powers of the voice more in my own teaching.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a little longer than it needed to be, but gave me lots of ideas about how to help students plan their own writing, self-edit, and just become more independent.

[Abi Allanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb discussion about what it takes to write with some inspiring and enthusing coaching in the second half. If you're trying to write, use this as a friend.

[Caroline Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a 4.5 rating.

English teachers you need this book!

Reading this has blown up my teaching practices in the best way. Like many others, I just accept the culture of writing that’s been handed down to me, but Elbow both shows (1) how that culture is not as long standing as it may seem and (2) that this is not a culture to be left unbothered.

Good writing will never be easy but it could (and should!) be more accessible. Looking at our powers of speech and then back to our writing, Elbow reveals a wealth of possibilities for offering students - and ourselves - a more accessible experience of the craft.

I see that some people feel this book is repetitive and I guess I agree. But with a book this long (and with pages filled, truly, from the top to the bottom), I found the repetition helpful. For those of us without a photographic memory, it was basically necessary.

It’s hard for me to accept some of Elbow’s vision for a future without any standard for “correct” writing. Even with his description, it’s hard for me to imagine. Yet, I am open to the possibility that what I am capable of imagining is not the standard for what will come.

In the meantime, I am excited to offer my students practices and understandings that make them happy (yes, actually happy!) to draft and revise.

Read this book!

[Caity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Elbow is one of my idols as a student of rhetoric and composition! This book is wonderfully comprised of Elbow's teachings on voice and the body and how our felt sense/knowledge is interconnected with the ways in which we process writing/communication/expression. This is a must-read for anybody interested in the philosophies of teaching writing.

[Dee Michell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Peter Elbow uses the engagement strategies he's advocating and he's good at it. In his company I feel encouraged, supported and at home. No doubt he was an excellent teacher, and he's inspired me to be a better one.

[Roy Kenagy]

RK WRITING

[Santi Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tremendous coaching resource, gave me lots of thoughts. Will write up for regressstudies.substack.com

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Gordon Hultberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Christ in 10,000 places by Eugene Peterson, Elbow works through a current viewpoint he has developed.