Single inverted commas

Although it is usual to enclose a word under discussion in single inverted commas, I have chosen instead to emphasise it in red to prevent confusion with apostrophes.
These posts are always short and clear so that they can be read easily on a mobile if you follow by email (the red may not show, however!) This is completely free.



Thursday, 26 September 2013

FABLIAU

A fabliau (plural fabliaux) is a coarse short tale related bluntly for humour. Well known examples are Chaucer's Miller's and Reeve's Tales.

Monday, 9 September 2013

Paraphrase and Precis

If you are asked to paraphrase a passage you rewrite it, at a similar length, in your own words. A précis of a passage, is a summary of its main points which reduces it in length, usually to one third of the original. To remember the difference, think of the word precise.

Thursday, 5 September 2013

Summary and Summery

Summary means a brief  statement of the main points and summery refers to anything typical of summer.
Perhaps one way of remembering is that main begins with ma which recurs in the word summary.