'The Elements of Eloquence' - 80/20 Summary

Follow me on X: @DaviddeSouza

Amazon: Link
Score: 9/10
Skill Category: StoryTelling
Mental Models: Alloying, Attentional Bias, Authority, Catalysts, Emotions: Mystery, Randomness, Replication, Utility, Vividness Bias

Mental Models from the book

'The Elements of Eloquence' can be summarised with 10 mental models:

1. AlloyinG

Create a word sandwich to add finality, emphasis or judgment. The formula is: (Word or phrase) + (brief interruption) + (word or phrase). For example: burn, baby, burn.

2. Attentional Bias

Humans, don’t talk in lists but that’s what makes them so effective. They startle and bewilder. They grab your attention. We aren't used to them.

3. Authority

Asking a rhetorical question both parties know the answer to can assert authority and belittle.

4. Catalysts

End a sentence with a word and begin the next with that same word. This gives both sentences power, strength, and the illusion of logic. It is satisfying, both beautiful and structured. It is progression. It is like a story that leads to a climax.

5. Emotions

A long sentence drawn out, with many commas stops you from being too emotional. You can't be too rude or enthusiastic with a long sentence.

6. Emotion: Mystery

Using a pronoun before a noun creates mystery and grabs your attention. For example: 'Nobody heard him, the dead man' instead of 'The dead man was not heard'.
The 14th Rule. The use of specific numbers (instead of “many”) feels mysterious and significant.

7. Randomness

Start a pattern (with 2 items) and break it (with the 3rd). For example: Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

8. Replication

Two phrases or sentences that are parallel and structurally similar can be used to imply the two things are the same even when not. For example: "Have a break, Have a KitKat" & "The Future is Bright, The Future is Orange".

9. Utility

Repeating words twice, ads a bit of emphasis. Three times and it's "Like a nuclear bomb, effective but a bit weird if you use it every 5 minutes" For example: 'Location, Location, Location' & "Ask me 3 main priorities of government and I will tell you: education, education, education".

10. Vividness Bias

Use two senses described in terms of another. For example: 'Colours are harmonious' & 'Her voice is silky' & 'Music that stinks'.

Mental Model Mind Maps

Mind maps can help you to remember the most important parts of a book. Signup to my newsletter below to get a free mindmap of this book:

Enjoyed this? Follow me on X: @DaviddeSouza