- Free Article: No
- Contents Category: Literary Studies
- Review Article: Yes
- Article Title: Text notes – June 1979
- Online Only: No
- Custom Highlight Text:
An excellent introduction to the senior English student’s experience of literature. It deals with complex matters in a comparatively simple manner The book examines particular passages of literary writing in the light of major critical concepts. Diction, tone, figurative language, irony, bathos – it’s all there, with apt questions and comments. A worthy publication.
- Book 1 Title: Literature and Awareness
- Book 1 Biblio: Edward Arnold (Australia), $5.50
- Book 2 Title: Essay Method and English Expression
- Book 2 Biblio: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, $7.95
- Book 2 Cover Small (400 x 600):
- Book 2 Cover (800 x 1200):
- Book 3 Title: Basic English Exercises
- Book 3 Biblio: Macmillan Australia, $3.95
Essay Method and English Expression
by Douglas Bate
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, $7.95
This book attempts to present a straightforward approach to the student of essay skills. It fails. The production is cramped, the examples are pedestrian, and it is a strange mixture of basic grammar and self-assessment. There is little on actual essay writing – one short chapter; the title is misleading. It would be interesting – and useful to the senior English student – to see a text which covered essay writing as an art form, Montaigne, Bacon, moderns, grammar and all. This isn’t it.
Basic English Exercises
by E. H. Edwards
Macmillan Australia, $3.95
And basic it is. A text with no frills – just a series of skill-building exercises. The production is boring and dull, and reflects the text. There is no humour here. I doubt even teachers who use this approach will like the book, but if unadorned antonyms and ponderous palindromes turn you on, this is for you.
Words Work Wonders
by Donald H. Whitelock
Holt-Saunders, $6.95
Yet another attempt to make basic skills appear trendy. (That word again, but that sort of book again). We meet Charlie Comma and Freddy Fullstop, and I can hear a future executive dictating already. The book is the third in a series for secondary English students – it’s a fairly useful, nicely produced series. But nothing new here.
A Starting Point: A thematic approach to Australian folklore
by Leo Sedunary
Hargreen Publishing Company, $5.95
An interesting marriage of English and History. This book includes ballads (with music), traditional poetry, short stories – all Australiana, with extension activities. A useful text at Form three level, particularly in Humanities. A nice idea, nicely executed.
Around the Globe
edited by Stephanie Eagles and Ken Watson
Macmillan Australia, $2.50 (Globe Books)
An excellent selection of short stories, all from different countries. Unfortunately, this collection came out in the Globe Series – a series of classics from some of the most important authors writing for young people today. I say unfortunately, because there is no indication on the cover that this is a short story collection – and it’s one of the best around. It deserves to be read.
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