54 pages 1 hour read

Leil Lowndes

How To Talk To Anyone

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1998

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Important Quotes

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“Every smile, every frown, every syllable you utter, or every arbitrary choice of word that passes between your lips can draw others toward you or make them want to run away.”


(Introduction, Page xii)

This quote employs parallel structure to emphasize the contrasting outcomes of human interaction—attraction and repulsion. By repeating “every” in “every smile, every frown, every syllable,” the quote underscores the significance of each individual action in social contexts. This repetition also adds rhythm, making the sentiment more memorable.

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“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care…about them.”


(Part 1, Chapter 6, Page 27)

This quote uses chiasmus to create a balanced structure. By reversing “know” and “care,” it highlights the contrast between knowledge and emotional connection. The ellipsis adds dramatic weight to the phrase “about them,” underlining humans’ self-serving nature.

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“When you act as though you like someone, you start to really like them.”


(Part 1, Chapter 6, Page 30)

This quote also employs chiasmus, a form of parallelism, to create a balanced structure. By mirroring the phrases “act as though you like someone” and “start to really like them,” it emphasizes the psychological principle it seeks to illustrate.