Webster's New World Compact Desk Dictionary and Style Guide

Effective writing is fundamental to success in school, business, and personal communication. E mail alone has dramatically increased our reliance on written communication, demanding renewed attention to the basics of word usage and writing style. This dictionary and style guide is an essential resource for communication in the 21st century. It provides everything you expect from the premier dictionary of American English, in concise form exact definitions of 61,000 words (3,000 of them new for this edition), examples of word usage, rules for correct spelling and word division, help with pronunciation, and background information on word origins to help you identify and understand related words. It also provides expert guidance on the essentials of grammar, punctuation, and writing style, to ensure that your written commnication shows you at your best. Rules are presented clearly and simply. Information is organized for quick and easy reference. Practical examples reinforce explanations. Special attention is given to common problem areas. In addition, you will find other, frequently needed information. Numerous tables and charts give quick access to encyclopedic data, such as conversions for weights and measures, U.S. states, and other geographical information. Here is the information and guidance you need to be an expert communicator, presented in the clear, readable form that is most useful.