From "appetite" to "liberty, " the Bible has been one of the richest sources for introducing words and concepts into the English language. The authors cite chapter and verse and trace the words right up to today's headlines.

Stan Malles and Jeff McQuain have written this brief, yet very important glossary in the spirit of E.D. Hirsch s bestselling Cultural Literacy. Here is a dictionary of basic terms for literature, composition, and grammar that every American, no matter their age, needs to know. Perfect for home and classroom use, The Elements of English is simple to use, unintimidating to read and easy to understand. Each area of language arts is divided into its own section, and a comprehensive index is also included. Each entry is concise, yet explained very clearly. Examples are listed to illustrate...