THE author of Sunday Times Number One bestsellers The Etymologicon and The Horologicon will talk about his new book The Elements of Eloquence: How to Turn the Perfect English Phrase, at the Phoenix Theatre in Ross-on-Wye on Wednesday.

Mark Forsyth's books have made him one of the UK’s best-known commentators on words. He is a passionate, self-described pedant when it comes to the English language — but his detailed knowledge of history has given him a common-sense approach to its “proper” use.

Whether you’re aiming for literary immortality or just an unforgettable one-liner, Mark’s new book, The Elements of Eloquence proves that you don’t need to have anything to say – you simply need to say it well. From classic poetry to pop lyrics and from the King James Bible to advertising slogans, Mark explains the secrets that make a phrase – such as ‘Tiger, Tiger, burning bright’, or ‘To be or not to be’ – memorable, and shows how you too can write like Shakespeare or Oscar Wilde.

Mark will be at The Phoenix Theatre Ross-on-Wye on Wednesday at 7pm

Tickets available from Rossiter Books in Ross (01989 564464) and Monmouth (01600 775572) or online at rossiterbooks.co.uk