You probably weren't expecting a law professor's lecture on 19th-century rhetoric to improve your screenplay today. Neither was I, to be honest, but I'm super glad to have found a resource that allowed me to learn.But in a conversation with writer David Perell, Ward Farnsworth (a law professor and author of books on classical rhetoric) breaks down how speakers and writers can formulate memorable language. For screenwriters, these insights can help write dialogue and action with a voice that stands out. Plus, it's just a really interesting way to look at writing and its foundations, so you can approach your screenplay with academic rigor if that's your jam.Check out his video with David Perell below. - YouTube youtu.be Saxon vs. LatinateEnglish gives you two ways to say almost everything. There's the simple word and the fancy one. "Make" versus "assemble," "get" versus "acquire," "write" versus "compose."Farnsworth explains that the former are Saxon words (short, hard, direct), while the latter are Latinate words (longer, softer, conceptual). According to Farnsworth, the Saxon words come from Germanic roots, while the Latinate words arrived with French-speaking Norman conquerors and became associated with aristocracy and education.For example, Abraham Lincoln had a habit of saying things twice—once in Latinate language, once in Saxon. In his 1858 House Divided speech, he said, "I do not expect the union to be dissolved. I do not expect the house to fall." He's basically saying the same thing twice, just using a different tone for a different impact. You can...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Yesterday