Language arts & disciplines

Letters to a Young Poet

by Rainer maria Rilke

These ten letters, written by one of the greatest poets of the twentieth century, offer deep and sincere advice to the young poet. They touch on all aspects of life and are valuable to anyone wishing to be a...

Words You Don't Know: Humorous Essays Involving Rare Words, Swear Words, Wrong Words, Long Words, Curse Words, Terse Words, Legal Words, Regal Words,

by Robin Bloor

In 23 chapters and 202 pages, author Robin Bloor shines a light on nearly 300 of the least known words in the English language, illuminating the history and mystery of each in short, humorous essays.

Everyday English: How to Say What You Mean and Write Everything Right

by Patrick Scrivenor

Do you puzzle over participles, argue over agreement, or throw up your hands over the comma? This back-to-basics overview of the English language includes just what you need to know to make a great impression...

Learn Sign Language in a Hurry

by Irene Duke

"I love you." "What can I get you?" "Let's take a walk."

Wanting to say simple things like these but not being able to is frustrating and disheartening--but learning how to communicate can be easy and fun! This...

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Poetry

by Nikki Moustaki

You’re no idiot, of course. You’ve read poetry that has touched your heart, and you’d like to improve your own writing technique. But even though you have loads of inspiration, you’re discovering that...

English Grammar For Dummies

by Geraldine Woods

The fun and easy way to improve your grammar

Enhancing your speaking and writing skills helps in everyday situations, such as writing a paper for school, giving a presentation to a company's bigwigs, or communicating...

Write Great Fiction - Plot & Structure

by James Scott Bell

Craft an Engaging Plot How does plot influence story structure? What's the difference between plotting for commercial and literary fiction? How do you revise a plot or structure that's gone off course?

With...

My Little Book Of Verbal Antidotes

by Tony Jennings, Georges Philips & Vera Peiffer

Verbal Antidotes is a must read for anyone interested in self-improvement and self-betterment. Best selling author Georges Philips has collaborated with Tony Jennings to produce a book that to borrow a gardeners...

What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures

by Malcolm Gladwell

What is the difference between choking and panicking? Why are there dozens of varieties of mustard-but only one variety of ketchup? What do football players teach us about how to hire teachers? What does hair...

Talk Like A Winner!: 21 Simple Rules For Achieving Everyday Communication Success

by Steve Nakamoto, Joe Kohl & Robin Quinn

TALK LIKE A WINNER! 21 SIMPLE RULES FOR ACHIEVING EVERYDAY COMMUNICATION SUCCESS is the one comprehensive guidebook that effectively helps people master their conversational skills. The author is Steve Nakamoto,...

Dirty Sign Language: Everyday Slang from "What's Up?" to "F*%# Off!"

by Van James T & Allison O

GET D!RTY!

Next time you’re signing with your friends, drop the ASL textbook formality and start flashing the signs they don’t teach in any classroom, including:

• cool slang

• funny insults

• explicit sex...

Mastering the Thesis Statement

by Steve Sharp

Author Steve Sharp tells his students that the thesis statement is the sun around which EVERYTHING in their paper orbits. Every sentence must fall within its gravitational pull and obey rational orbital laws....

On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft

by Stephen King

“Long live the King” hailed Entertainment Weekly upon publication of Stephen King’s On Writing. Part memoir, part master class by one of the bestselling authors of all time, this superb volume is a revealing...

Signing: How To Speak With YOur Hands

by Elaine Phd Costello

American Sign Language is a wonderful silent language of hands, face, and body that is rich with nuance, emotion, and grace. Bantam is proud to present the newly revised Signing : How To Speak With Your Hands...

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Erotic Romance

by Alison Kent

The basic rules for turning basic instincts into blockbuster success.

Erotic romance reigns supreme as a big category of women's fiction-a billion dollar business serviced by a new breed of uninhibited writer....

America and Americans and Selected Nonfiction

by John Steinbeck & Jackson Benson

More than three decades after his death, John Steinbeck remains one of the nation's most beloved authors. Yet few know of his career as a journalist who covered world events from the Great Depression to Vietnam....

How To Say It for Women

by Phyllis Mindell

Phyllis Mindell, an acclaimed expert on professional communications, shows women how to transform themselves by transforming their language; shed weak words, phrases, and gestures; empower themselves to win...

Oxymoronica

by Mardy Grothe

ox-y-mor-on-i-ca (OK-se-mor-ON-uh-ca) noun, plural: Any variety of tantalizing, self-contradictory statements or observations that on the surface appear false or illogical, but at a deeper level are true, often...

The Write Choice: A Novelized Guide to Careers in Writing

by Julia Dixon

In The Write Choice: A Novelized Guide to Careers in Writing, Spokane author Julia Dixon gives us a smart, witty, and satirical look at what it takes to be a writer. Originally written as a high school senior...

English Grammar Essentials For Dummies

by Wendy M. Anderson, Geraldine Woods & Lesley J. Ward

The fun and easy way to learn essential grammar rules, common usage errors, and other key concepts in the English language

Understanding the rules of English is key to being an effective communicator—at work,...