The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also features glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format. Join Chaucer's band of pilgrims on their journey in CliffsNotes on The Canterbury Tales. Chaucer's narrators represent a wide spectrum of society with various ranks and occupations. From the distinguished and noble Knight, to the pious abbess, the honorable Clerk, the rich landowner, the worldly and crude Wife, and on down the scale to the low, vulgar Miller and Carpenter, and the corrupt Pardoner. Let this study guide reveal Chaucer's genius at understanding basic human nature as reflected in his tales. You'll also gain insight into the background and influences of the author. Other features that help you study include Character analyses of major players A character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters Critical essays A review section that tests your knowledge A Resource Center full of books, articles, films, and Internet sites Classic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

About the Contents: Pretest Helps you pinpoint where you need the most help and directs you to the corresponding sections of the book Topic Area Reviews Nouns and Articles Pronouns Verbs Conjunctions Prepositions Modifiers Sentences Punctuation, Capitalization, and Other Issues Customized Full-Length Exam Covers all subject areas Appendices Glossary Abbreviations The learn-by-doing way to master English Grammar Pretest that pinpoints what you need to study most Clear, concise reviews of every topic Targeted example problems in every chapter with solutions and explanations Customized full-length exam that adapts to your skill level

Your guide to a higher score on Praxis II: English Subject Areas The Praxis II English Subject Area Assessment tests are designed to assess whether an examinee has the broad base of knowledge and competencies necessary to be licensed as a beginning English teacher in a variety of school settings. The various exams, some multiple-choice questions and some essay format, cover reading and understanding text, language and linguistics, and composition and rhetoric. CliffsNotes Praxis II: English Subject Area Assessments includes question-type reviews, subject reviews, and six model practice tests for each of the Praxis II English tests that a variety of would-be English teachers need to pass to be certified. Includes subject reviews of all test topics 6 practice tests, one for each Praxis II English test Proven strategies from the experts at CliffsNotes If you're an aspiring teacher looking to take the Praxis II English test, CliffsNotes is your ticket to scoring high at exam time.

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer a look into critical elements and ideas within classic works of literature. In CliffsNotes on A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, you dig into Mark Twain's notably caustic account of a culture clash in medieval society. Transported back in time from the nineteenth century, the story's central character attempts to introduce "modern" changes to his new place in the sixth century. This study guide follows the action from chapter to chapter with commentaries that bring sense to the entertaining satire. Other features that help you figure out this important work include Life and background of the author Introduction to and synopsis of the book Summaries of each chapter within the work A review section that tests your knowledge and suggests essay topics Classic literature or modern-day treasure — you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

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This Middle-English poem about the moral testing of a young hero is commonly described as the greatest Arthurian romance in our literary tradition. It is a question still as to who the author is, but this poet is considered second only to Chaucer.

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer a look into critical elements and ideas within classic works of literature. In CliffsNotes on A Midsummer Night's Dream, you dig into Shakespeare's entertaining story of young lovers as they're toyed with by mischievous forest sprites. Shakespeare claimed to have written this romantic comedy to show that "love hath no law but its own." This study guide follows the action from scene to scene with commentaries that bring sense to the entertaining play, which is neither realistic nor tragic. Other features that help you figure out this important work include Life and background of the author Introduction to and synopsis of the play Analyses of all the characters and a character map Summaries of each of the five acts A review section that tests your knowledge and suggests essay topics Classic literature or modern-day treasure — you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

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Medieval and Early Modern Film and Media contextualizes historical films in an innovative way - not only relating them to the history of cinema, but also to premodern and early modern media. This philological approach to the (pre)history of cinema engages both old media such as scrolls, illuminated manuscripts, the Bayeux Tapestry, and new digital media such as DVDs, HD DVDs, and computers. Burt examines the uncanny repetitions that now fragment films into successively released alternate cuts and extras (footnote tracks, audiocommentaries, and documentaries) that (re)structure and reframe historical films, thereby presenting new challenges to historicist criticism and film theory. With a double focus on recursive narrative frames and the cinematic paratexts of medieval and early modern film, this book calls our attention to strange, sometimes opaque phenomena in film and literary theory that have previously gone unrecognized.

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format. In CliffsNotes on The Handmaid's Tale, you come to realize that for every utopia, there's a corresponding dystopia. This tale of a bleak future depicts a time where women are valued only for their reproductive capacities. While this cautionary tale of repression and totalitarianism is horrifying, there are moments of poetic warmth and humor. It is a brilliant satire. This concise supplement to Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale helps you understand the overall structure of the novel, actions and motivations of the characters, and the social and cultural perspectives of the author. Features that help you study include Chapter-by-chapter summaries and commentaries A timeline of critical events that leads to the climax of the novel A character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters Critical essays on women's roles in the novel, and the use of literary devices, themes, and settings A review section that tests your knowledge Classic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.