The Undergraduate Essay sets before the student examples of writing from which he can learn what to do and why. Part I of this book consists of six complete essays of average undergraduate length. All are specimens rather than models; these essays are well-written, but they are not faultless. In Part II, the authors define and discuss the principles of sound essay writing by considering in turn the plan, paragraph structure, sentence structure, diction, punctuation, and under the ...

Sam Slick of Slickville, Connecticut, is a Yankee clock-peddler who accompanies a visiting English gentleman on an unforgettable tour of early nineteenth-century Nova Scotia. His shrewd observations and witty commentaries make up the thirty-three sketches of The Clockmaker.First serialized in 1835 and 1836 and then published together in late 1836 in response to public demand, the sketches of The Clockmaker established Judge Thomas Chandler Haliburton as a satirica...

Lynne Truss's 'Eats, Shoots and Leaves' injected new life into the long-standing arguments over rights and wrongs in English usage. Now David Crystal brings together his own distinctive style and unique expertise to provide the first thorough-going assessment of the ongoing debate. With a lively, humorous, and accessible approach, Crystal charts the battles past and present, illustrating the characters and attitudes involved from a wide range of written sources. He combines a chronological...

In its long history, the English language has had many lawmakers--those who have tried to regulate or otherwise organize the way we speak. Proper Words in Proper Places offers the first narrative history of these endeavors and shows clearly that what we now regard as the only "correct" way to speak emerged out of specific historical and social conditions over the course of centuries. As historian Jack Lynch has discovered, every rule has a human history and the characters peopling...

In "All He Knew," John Habberton explores the intricate tapestry of human relationships through the lens of individual experience and societal expectation. The narrative follows the life of a seemingly simple man whose worldview is profoundly shaped by a singular event, revealing the rich complexities of perception and understanding. Habberton employs a clear, accessible prose style while weaving a deep psychological tapestry that reflects late 19th-century American societal norms and valu...

The English Language is spoken by more than a billion people throughout the world. But where did English come from? And how has it evolved into the language used today? In How English Became English Simon Horobin investigates the evolution of the English language, examining how the language continues to adapt even today, as English continues to find new speakers and new uses. Engaging with contemporary concerns about correctness, Horobin considers whether such changes are improvem...

In "Pipes O'Pan at Zekesbury," James Whitcomb Riley immerses readers in a whimsical yet poignant exploration of rural life and childhood innocence. Using a rich tapestry of dialect and rhythmic verse, Riley crafts a narrative that captures the essence of Midwestern Americana with its vibrant local color. The collection, situated within the broader context of late 19th-century American poetry, draws on folk traditions and the oral storytelling styles that reflect the cultural zeitgeist of t...

Happiness and laughter are two of the most beautiful things in the world, for they are of the few that are purely unselfish. Laughter is not for yourself, but for others. When people are happy they present a cheerful spirit, which finds its reflection in every one they meet, for happiness is as contagious as a yawn. Of all the emotions, laughter is the most versatile, for it plays equally well the role of either parent or child to happiness.

The following Sketches, as far as the twenty-first No. originally appeared in “THE NOVASCOTIAN” newspaper. The great popularity they acquired, induced the Editor of that paper, to apply to the Author for the remaining part of the series, and permission to publish the whole entire. This request having been acceded to, the Editor has now the pleasure of laying them before the public in their present shape.

Lynda Mugglestone's hugely popular The Oxford History of English is now updated and entirely reset in a new edition featuring David Crystal's new take on the future of English in the wider world. In accounts made vivid with examples from a vast range of documentary evidence that includes letters, diaries, and private records, fifteen scholars trace the history of English from its ancient Indo-European origins to the present. They cover the language's versions, written and spoken, revel in ...

In his thought-provoking work, "Nature and Human Nature," Thomas Chandler Haliburton explores the intricate relationship between the natural world and human behavior. Drawing upon his keen observations of the landscape and the socio-political climate of 19th-century Canada, Haliburton employs a blend of anecdotal narrative and sharp wit to engage with themes of morality and the human condition. His literary style, characterized by a conversational tone and vivid imagery, invites readers to...

Prepositions (words like above, from, in, of and with which relate one part of a sentence to another) are, though few in number, among the most frequently used words in English. They are also among the most frequently misused: writers and speakers alike seem to have endless trouble in choosing the right or acceptable preposition. The sad result is widespread uncertainty, confusion and misunderstanding. Addressed to both native speakers and to learners of English as a second language, Saving o...