
By
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER I - REQUIREMENTS OF SPEECH - Vocabulary—Parts of Speech—Requisites
CHAPTER II - ESSENTIALS OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR - Divisions of Grammar—Definitions—Etymology.
CHAPTER III - THE SENTENCE - Different Kinds—Arrangement of Words—Paragraph
CHAPTER IV - FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE - Figures of Speech—Definitions and Examples —Use of Figures
CHAPTER V - PUNCTUATION - Principal Points—Illustrations—Capital Letters.
CHAPTER VI - LETTER WRITING - Principles of Letter-Writing—Forms—Notes
CHAPTER VII - ERRORS - Mistakes—Slips of Authors—Examples and Corrections—Errors of Redundancy.
CHAPTER VIII - PITFALLS TO AVOID - Common Stumbling Blocks—Peculiar Constructions—Misused Forms.
This compact guide offers a practical road map for anyone who wants to speak and write with confidence, without wading through dense academic tomes. It distills the essentials of vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, and style into clear, bite‑size sections, showing how a modest repertoire of about two thousand words can cover everyday communication. The author emphasizes plain language, warning against the lure of needless jargon and offering quick fixes for common slip‑ups.
Readers will find handy chapters on constructing sentences, using figures of speech, and mastering polite letter writing, each illustrated with everyday examples. Helpful tips on avoiding redundancy, misused forms, and the pitfalls of slang keep the advice relevant to modern usage. By the end, listeners gain a toolbox of straightforward rules that make clear, courteous expression feel within reach.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (249K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-09-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
A practical early-20th-century language guide writer, this lexicographer focused on helping everyday readers speak and write with clarity. His best-known books turn grammar, usage, and vocabulary into something approachable and useful.
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