Ambrose Bierce's Write It Right


Book Description

In 1893, Ambrose Bierce declared "I am for preserving the ancient, primitive distinction between right and wrong." In Write it Right, originally published in 1909, Bierce turned this considerable zeal on the English language. The result revealed that the satirical author of The Devil's Dictionary had a keen ear for the vernacular--and that he hated it. This slim volume of his 300 or so reviled words and expressions contains many we use today with no hesitation at all. (Of "electrocution" he says, "To one having even an elementary knowledge of Latin grammar this word is no less than disgusting, and the thing meant by it is felt to be altogether too good for the word's inventor.") Jan Freeman, author of the weekly column "The Word" for the Boston Globe, annotates Bierce's rulings with style, humor, and in-depth research, revealing what Bierce got right--and what he didn't--and giving insight into how the language has changed over the past century. Write it Right, with its incisive wit and insight into the history of American English, is the perfect gift for word curmudgeons everywhere.




Write it Right


Book Description

Write it Right by Ambrose Bierce: Unleash the power of words and master the art of effective communication with this indispensable guide by Ambrose Bierce, offering practical tips, insightful examples, and witty observations to help writers navigate the nuances of grammar, style, and precision in writing. Key points: Writing Essentials: Navigate the intricacies of grammar, punctuation, and syntax as Bierce demystifies common pitfalls and offers clear explanations, empowering writers to communicate their ideas with clarity, coherence, and precision. Style and Rhetoric: Discover Bierce's guidance on crafting compelling prose, employing rhetorical devices, and harnessing the power of language to captivate readers and convey meaning effectively, allowing writers to develop their unique voice and achieve a desired impact. Bierce's Wit and Wisdom: Benefit from Bierce's sharp wit and entertaining commentary as he peppers the guide with humorous anecdotes, quips, and memorable insights, making the learning process enjoyable while imparting valuable lessons on the art of writing. Write it Right by Ambrose Bierce: Write it Right is a concise and witty guide to mastering the art of writing by Ambrose Bierce, a renowned American journalist and satirist. In this indispensable handbook, Bierce offers practical advice and humorous observations on grammar, punctuation, word usage, and style. With his characteristic wit and sharp intellect, Bierce navigates the intricacies of the English language, providing both novice and seasoned writers with valuable tips and cautionary tales. Write it Right serves as a delightful companion for anyone seeking to enhance their writing skills, avoid common pitfalls, and communicate effectively. Bierce's candid and entertaining approach makes this guide a joy to read, ensuring that learning the rules of writing becomes an engaging and enlightening experience.




Write It Right


Book Description

Ambrose Bierce (1842 - 1914) was a short story writer, an editorialist, a satirist and a journalist. He is best known for his devil's Dictionary. His sardonic view of human nature and his tough stance as a critic earned him the nickname "Bitter Bierce". Despite his reputation Bierce always encouraged young writers. Bierce went to Mexico to get a first hand view of the revolution. He disappeared without a trace. Write It Right A Little Blacklist of Literary Faults was published in 1909. Bierce wrote this little book as a guide to improving writing. He states that precision is the key. Choosing the exact word and using it correctly is essential. Colloquialisms and vulgar language have no place is serious writing. A writer must use his values in determining what is appropriate. The lessons Bierce gives in this book are as appropriate today as they were a century ago.







Delphi Complete Works of Ambrose Bierce (Illustrated)


Book Description

For the first time in publishing history, Delphi Classics is proud to present the complete works of master storyteller Ambrose Bierce. This comprehensive eBook is spiced with numerous illustrations, rare and forgotten texts, concise introductions and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Bierce’s life and works * Concise introductions to the collections and other texts * The rare novella THE DANCE OF DEATH appears here for the first time in digital print * ALL the short story collections, with individual contents tables * Featuring 475 tales, many appearing for the first time in digital print * Images of how the books were first printed, giving your eReader a taste of the original texts * Excellent formatting of the texts * Famous works such as COBWEBS FROM AN EMPTY SKULL are fully illustrated with their original artwork * Special chronological and alphabetical contents tables for the poetry, essays and the short stories * Easily locate the works you want to read * The complete non-fiction, with many scarce essays and newspaper articles * Includes Bierce’s letters – spend hours exploring the author’s personal correspondence * Special criticism section, with essays evaluating Bierce’s contribution to literature * Also provides a unique ‘Biercian Texts’ section with interesting articles on the works and disappearance of Ambrose Bierce * Features a bonus full biography – discover Bierce’s literary life * Scholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and literary genres CONTENTS: The Novellas THE DANCE OF DEATH THE MONK AND THE HANGMAN’S DAUGHTER THE LAND BEYOND THE BLOW The Short Story Collections THE FIEND’S DELIGHT COBWEBS FROM AN EMPTY SKULL PRESENT AT A HANGING, AND OTHER GHOST STORIES IN THE MIDST OF LIFE: TALES OF SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS CAN SUCH THINGS BE? FANTASTIC FABLES NEGLIGIBLE TALES THE PARENTICIDE CLUB THE FOURTH ESTATE THE OCEAN WAVE KINGS OF BEASTS TWO ADMINISTRATIONS MISCELLANEOUS TALES The Short Stories LIST OF SHORT STORIES IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER LIST OF SHORT STORIES IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER The Poetry Collections BLACK BEETLES IN AMBER SHAPES OF CLAY FABLES IN RHYME SOME ANTE-MORTEM EPITAPHS THE SCRAP HEAP The Poems LIST OF POEMS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER LIST OF POEMS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER The Non-Fiction THE SHADOW ON THE DIAL, AND OTHER ESSAYS THE DEVIL’S DICTIONARY WRITE IT RIGHT ASHES OF THE BEACON “ON WITH THE DANCE!”: A REVIEW A CYNIC LOOKS AT LIFE TANGENTIAL VIEWS BITS OF AUTOBIOGRAPHY MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES AND REVIEWS UNCOLLECTED ESSAYS The Essays LIST OF ESSAYS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER LIST OF ESSAYS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER The Letters THE LETTERS OF AMBROSE BIERCE The Criticism AMBROSE BIERCE by Vincent Starrett AMBROSE BIERCE: AN APPRAISAL by Frederic Tabor Cooper ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO BOOST BIERCE INTO IMMORTALITY THE UNDERGROUND REPUTATION OF AMBROSE BIERCE AMBROSE BIERCE by Ella Sterling Cummins Biercian Texts LIST OF BIERCIAN ARTICLES AND REVIEWS The Biography AMBROSE BIERCE: A BIOGRAPHY by Carey McWilliams




Ambrose Bierce's Civilians and Soldiers in Context


Book Description

Donald T. Blume rejects the view that In the Midst of Life, the second volume of Bierce's collected works, is his most important literary work. Instead, he posits that Bierce's original 1892 collection is his most definitive and authoritative opus.




The Letters of Ambrose Bierce, With a Memoir by George Sterling


Book Description

Ambrose Bierce could be described as the most famous prose writer you never heard of. He had grown up relatively uneducated on his father's farm, but with a vast stock of knowledge gained from reading. He served with distinction during the American Civil War, and was awarded the rank of Major, but he declined to be known by this title. His whole life seemed to be mysterious, but there is no doubting the skill and artistry of his writing.




The Middle Toe of the Right Foot


Book Description

First published in 1890, ‘The Middle Toe of the Right Foot’ is a classic ghost story from famous American author Ambrose Bierce. A gruesome and horrifying murder has taken place. Manton, the only one left alive, flees the scene, leaving the house empty and abandoned. When a group of young men stumble across the empty property many years later, strange and unexplainable things start to happen. A terrifying tale suitable for all horror lovers. Ambrose Bierce (1842 - 1914) was an American author, journalist, and poet, best known for his horror and fiction stories. Born in Ohio to a large family, Bierce left home at 15 to become a printer’s apprentice. Bierce saw action during the American Civil War, and his terrifying experiences were recounted in horrifying and realistic detail in many of his stories such as ‘An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge’ and ‘One of the Missing’. Bierce also become known for his ghost and psychological horror stories, as well as his poetry. One of his most famous works is ‘The Devil’s Dictionary’ which contained satirical definitions of English words. Bierce wrote a letter to a friend in 1913 stating ‘I leave here tomorrow for an unknown destination’ before mysteriously vanishing without a trace.




The Letters of Ambrose Bierce by Ambrose Bierce - Delphi Classics (Illustrated)


Book Description

This eBook features the unabridged text of ‘The Letters of Ambrose Bierce’ from the bestselling edition of ‘The Complete Works of Ambrose Bierce’. Having established their name as the leading publisher of classic literature and art, Delphi Classics produce publications that are individually crafted with superior formatting, while introducing many rare texts for the first time in digital print. The Delphi Classics edition of Bierce includes original annotations and illustrations relating to the life and works of the author, as well as individual tables of contents, allowing you to navigate eBooks quickly and easily. eBook features: * The complete unabridged text of ‘The Letters of Ambrose Bierce’ * Beautifully illustrated with images related to Bierce’s works * Individual contents table, allowing easy navigation around the eBook * Excellent formatting of the textPlease visit www.delphiclassics.com to learn more about our wide range of titles




An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge


Book Description

Classic Books Library presents this brand new edition of the short story, “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” (1890) by Ambrose Bierce. In this text Bierce creatively uses both structure and content to explore the concept of time, from present to past, and reflecting its transitional and illusive qualities. The story is one of Bierce’s most popular and acclaimed works, alongside “The Devil’s Dictionary” (1911). Bierce (1842-c. 1914) was an American writer, journalist and Civil War veteran associated with the realism literary movement. His writing is noted for its cynical, brooding tones and structural precision.




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