This is pure gold! I too would love to have instruction manuals like the one you wrote. I would even forgive the gadget for not working if I had such a manual.
Could you also write about the superpowers of washing machines and refrigerators? One can make clothes disappear and the other can make you blind and miss the sauce bottle that has been sitting there for a few eons.
Thanks for the entertaining and educational read, Rohan! Love how you blend humour with insightful observations about rhetorical techniques. Your post reminds me of a Harvard course I took called "Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing & Public Speaking." Ever since taking that course, I've made a conscious effort to incorporate rhetorical elements in my essays (though I doubt I'll ever master the art of rhetoric like you have :)
Thank you, but I'm nowhere close to mastering them. This was just a fun, self-indulgent exercise. The real art, I'd imagine, would be to learn how to use them in moderation for the greatest impact. That's something both you and I can keep striving for. :)
Indeed! The real art. But you're pioneering a whole new genre here. Applying rhetorical devices to instruction manuals? Truly admire your imagination and creativity with this :)
when I started, I was like @sassygal says a tad worried. "I need Rohan's humour". "Nahi ye nahi ho sakta ..." type ka emotions swirled in my system. I stopped. And then started reading it again after a few hours. and Bhai Saab you have as usual, as always knocked it out of the park.
sooper. and yes I would want to read the instructions manual you write. 🤣
and though I am not very sure what this means, but as Siddhu would say "O Chak de phatte, nap de killi, raat nu jalandar, sawere dilli"
Thank you for your patience, Savvy! I'm glad it didn't disappoint you. Also, I have taken note of your feedback on the opening - really appreciate the candour, it helps spot areas
Oh this is brilliant! I have laughed and laughed till my sides split (now which form of rhetoric is this or is this not rhetoric at all, just simple, plain exaggeration?):-).
I wish to add one more category. You want technolegal rhetoric about smart phones, microwaves etc.? Just go read a patent! They do a brilliant job with fascinating phrases such as "without being bound by theory or mechanism" and "those with ordinary knowledge in the art".
Thanks so much, Supriya. So glad you enjoyed it! :D
Oh yes, legalese is a category in itself. In the book, Forsyth has this quip about lawyers: "A lawyer, for reason or reasons known only to him or herself, cannot see a whole without dividing it into its parts and enumerating them in immense detail. This may be something to do with the billing system."
Ha ha, brilliant as usual! I love the bit about the other buttons on the microwave! When we replaced our a couple of years ago, I had every intention of mastering how to make sun dried tomatoes in the microwave! Alas, the only thing I did master was fries- and that too stopped when the air fryer came along. Now it's back to daal!
A few paragraphs in, I was wondering if your trademark humour was going to be missing in this article. But I wondered too soon. It gets progressively potent :) side note to myself: I should read all the books mentioned and memorise those literary devices.
This is pure gold! I too would love to have instruction manuals like the one you wrote. I would even forgive the gadget for not working if I had such a manual.
Could you also write about the superpowers of washing machines and refrigerators? One can make clothes disappear and the other can make you blind and miss the sauce bottle that has been sitting there for a few eons.
Thank you, Binu! Yes, that's a good idea. :D
Thanks for the entertaining and educational read, Rohan! Love how you blend humour with insightful observations about rhetorical techniques. Your post reminds me of a Harvard course I took called "Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing & Public Speaking." Ever since taking that course, I've made a conscious effort to incorporate rhetorical elements in my essays (though I doubt I'll ever master the art of rhetoric like you have :)
Thank you, but I'm nowhere close to mastering them. This was just a fun, self-indulgent exercise. The real art, I'd imagine, would be to learn how to use them in moderation for the greatest impact. That's something both you and I can keep striving for. :)
Indeed! The real art. But you're pioneering a whole new genre here. Applying rhetorical devices to instruction manuals? Truly admire your imagination and creativity with this :)
Thanks a lot, appreciate it! :D
when I started, I was like @sassygal says a tad worried. "I need Rohan's humour". "Nahi ye nahi ho sakta ..." type ka emotions swirled in my system. I stopped. And then started reading it again after a few hours. and Bhai Saab you have as usual, as always knocked it out of the park.
sooper. and yes I would want to read the instructions manual you write. 🤣
and though I am not very sure what this means, but as Siddhu would say "O Chak de phatte, nap de killi, raat nu jalandar, sawere dilli"
Thank you for your patience, Savvy! I'm glad it didn't disappoint you. Also, I have taken note of your feedback on the opening - really appreciate the candour, it helps spot areas
that need improvement.
Oh this is brilliant! I have laughed and laughed till my sides split (now which form of rhetoric is this or is this not rhetoric at all, just simple, plain exaggeration?):-).
I wish to add one more category. You want technolegal rhetoric about smart phones, microwaves etc.? Just go read a patent! They do a brilliant job with fascinating phrases such as "without being bound by theory or mechanism" and "those with ordinary knowledge in the art".
Thanks so much, Supriya. So glad you enjoyed it! :D
Oh yes, legalese is a category in itself. In the book, Forsyth has this quip about lawyers: "A lawyer, for reason or reasons known only to him or herself, cannot see a whole without dividing it into its parts and enumerating them in immense detail. This may be something to do with the billing system."
That is hilarious! And true 😂
Ha ha, brilliant as usual! I love the bit about the other buttons on the microwave! When we replaced our a couple of years ago, I had every intention of mastering how to make sun dried tomatoes in the microwave! Alas, the only thing I did master was fries- and that too stopped when the air fryer came along. Now it's back to daal!
Thanks a lot, Sunil! You're not alone in harbouring such aspirations. :)
A few paragraphs in, I was wondering if your trademark humour was going to be missing in this article. But I wondered too soon. It gets progressively potent :) side note to myself: I should read all the books mentioned and memorise those literary devices.
Thank you for your patience and glad you enjoyed it! It is a lot of fun to read how folks use literary devices.