Following each chapter's introductory sentence, they are given a brief story. A short test at the end of each chapter helps them determine their learning progress. The dictations start out quite simple and become progressively more difficult from one chapter to the next. The book is filled with charts and illustrations to facilitate students' learning progress.

C O N T E N T S
Words that describe communication
Answer Say Tell
Argue Speak
Ask Talk

Words that describe emotions
Angry Excited Satisfied/dissatisfied
Bored Feeling Shocked
Disappointed Frightened Surprised
Embarrassed Happy Worried/not worried
Enthusiastic/not enthusiastic Sad

Words that describe movement
Arrive Move Travel
Fast Run Walk
Leave Slow

Starting with the core areas of inflection and derivation, the book presents the interfaces between morphology and syntax and between morphology and phonology. The synchronic study of word structure is covered, as are the phenomena of diachronic change, such as analogy and grammaticalization. Theories are presented clearly in accessible language with the main purpose of shedding light on the data, rather than as a goal in themselves. The authors consistently draw on the best research available, thus utilizing and discussing both functionalist and generative theoretical approaches. Each chapter includes a summary, suggestions for further reading, and exercises. As such this is the ideal book for both beginning students of linguistics, or anyone in a related discipline looking for a first introduction to morphology.