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We’ve all been in that situation where we need to say something clever, but innocuous; smart enough to show some intelligence, without showing off; something funny, but not a joke. What we need in that moment is wit—that sparkling combination of charm, humor, confidence, and most of all, the right words at the right time.
Elements of Wit is an engaging book that brings together the greatest wits of our time, and previous ones from Oscar Wilde to Nora Ephron, Winston Churchill to Christopher Hitchens, Mae West to Louis CK, and many in between.
With chapters covering the essential ingredients of wit, this primer sheds light on how anyone—introverts, extroverts, wallflowers, and bon vivants—can find the right zinger, quip, parry, or retort…or at least be a little bit more interesting.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
October 7, 2014 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9780698153868
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9780698153868
- File size: 4201 KB
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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September 15, 2014
Errett (managing editor, National Post, Canada) defines wit as "spontaneous creativity" and dissects the notion by describing the conditions needed for it to occur, the purpose of using it, and the occasions in which one might need to be witty. Owing to the spontaneous nature of quips, the author does not include a foolproof how-to guide for becoming a "Great Wit" but discusses the idea within the concept of 12 elements, including guidelines and perspective into the inner workings of humor. Each element is explored in turn, using insights from psychology, history, and even examples of witty people such as Winston Churchill, Oscar Wilde, Louis C.K., and Jay-Z. Additionally, the concluding chapter provides a set of principles for applying wit in social situations, such as at work, office parties, or even funerals. The resulting analysis is an incisive and often hilarious look at the process behind the most memorable and effortless one-liners. VERDICT Recommended for anyone who desires to learn how to be witty as well as those who wish to learn more about the theory behind humor.--Rebekah Kati, Duke Univ. Pr., Durham, NC
Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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