210330 What I learned in my studies this morning

New section is done. 

Isocolon FTW.

Structures. Phrases. Loop. 

Today's Meditation:

We've got a new book today: Tolstoy's Calendar of Wisdom. Tolstoy spent the final years of his life creating a book of collected wisdom from all kinds of sources.  One of our greatest novelists and deepest thinkers did my project for me a hundred years ago! 

I can't believe I've never heard of it before. Ooooh boy! am I excited about this one. 

From The Daily Stoic: 

How often have I acted unconsciously? Acted without knowing the source of my imoulse? Acted in unthinking, uncaring, unnecessary, never-going-to-know ways? 

Time to do better. Time to mindfully guide my actions from first principles. 

From Ward Farnsworth, Classical English Rhetoric, Chapter 2. Structural Matters:

7. Parallel Structure: ISOCOLON

Technical term: 

ISOCOLON (ai-so-co-lon), one of the most common and important rhetorical figures, is the use of successive sentences, clauses, or phrases similar in length and parallel in structure.

Patterns and Examples 

— Making two claims about the same subject 

— Triplets

— Parallel Claims about Different Subjects 

— Using internal repetition of words 

— Commands and instructions 

— Diological (conversational repartee) applications:

— Antithesis 

—— Serial uses of antithesis 

—— Not x but y constructions and variants

— The forced choice 

— Successive uses of isocolon

— Abandonment 

— Lengthening and shortening 

— Oscillation

Conclusion 

As a tool for generating energy and offering a dramatic flair to oratory, isocolon is quite effective. It's often overused, however, and seems like a cheap trick when it is. 

Use it. Use it well. But don't overuse it. 

(pp. 74-96)