Basevorn wrote The Form of Preaching in response to a large number of impostors who were posing as preachers and representatives of the church but who were not granted the authority to do so.
His text makes the qualifications of what is necessary to be a preacher, and provides a manual-style instruction on the rhetorical and stylistic skills one must have to excel at preaching.
He argues that emulation or imitation is an acceptable practice because there is no shame in mimicking what has already been proved effective, and that too much emphasis is put on trying to be original.
Basevorn highlights six styles that trace specifically to Jesus: promising salvation (it is effective to use when people need little convincing), threats of damnation (it is effective to use on the stubborn), preaching by example (citing examples of a good Christian life), preaching by reason or logic, speaking clearly, and speaking obscurely.
Saint Paul, as well, appeals to Basevorn because his writings and sermons reflect his compassion and charity he had for his audience.
The merit in Saint Augustine's style, according to Basevorn, is it is best suited for people with short memories or attention spans.
Basevorn appreciates Saint Gregory's style because he provides tangible examples of morality and the merits of Christianity in practical terms.
Ornamentation includes aesthetic techniques but also formal characteristics that comprise a sermon's structure.