Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis

Languages, do more for us than just aid our communication. The ability to talk to others with confidence and ease of thought, comes from understanding the language in question. It boosts our self esteem, image and gives us the self assurance required to face the world whilst enriching our understanding of global occurrences through reading and writing. And if there one language that’s used in pandemic proportions globally, Its that mongrel of languages, which, dear reader, you are currently reading.

The appropriate usage of the English language is seen as a milestone in personal and professional achievement and this where ‘Word Power made Easy’ written by Norman Lewis is a necessary book one must encounter and keep.

The very first line of the introduction packs a punch with the words ‘Don’t read this book’! Rather appropriately, Norman Lewis, tells you that real learning occurs through active participation and with Word Power made Easy, asks you to write in it, talk aloud to it, talk back to it and to use our pen and pencil and eyes and ears and an active mind. This is not just a boring grammer book that is going to remind you of the sleepless nights you have spent in burning the midnight oil right before an important examination. Instead it teaches us the correct words to be used and its pronunciation used in everyday life, in everyday occurrences.
Divided into three parts and and the three parts in turn divided into sub parts, which are further categorized into sessions.
the first part is titled Getting off to a Good Start and after a preliminary testing of our current vocabulary, verbal speed and responsiveness, guides us how to talk about personality types, and words to describe all kinds and sorts of people, marital states, including terms for self interest and much more including how one session of pleasant work can add more to your vocabulary than an average adult learns in an entire year.
How to talk about doctors and ailments and various practioners of various professions including handwriting, aging, the human mind etc. of science and scientists, plant and animal life and of word and language and social organization.
How to talk about liars and lying and terms that relate to artistry, reform, heredity and suffering.

The second part is titled Gaining Increased Momentum and talks about verbs that accurately describe important human activities.Excurssions into expressive terms for good and evil and doing and saying and wishing and pleasing.
How to talk about various speech patterns and habits in depths and degrees and kinds of talk and silences.
Terms describing a disciplinarian, dabbler, a person with a one track mind, a free thinker, and a sufferer of imaginary ailments.
Terms to describe and praise your friends with including how to describe friendliness, bravery, sophistication.
Excursions into expressve ways of eating, drinking, believing and disbelieving of facong the past present and how to communicate when living in the city.

The third part is titled ‘Finishing with a feeling of complete success’ and guides us how to talk about common occurrences such as direct and indirect emotions, diplomacy, and common phenomenon.
How to talk about whats going on, and verbs that show exhaustion. Criticism, self praise, mental stagnation, repetition and how to talk about a variety of characterizations and personal characteristics. .

At the end of each chapter are simple tests to check your progress.
There is also a fun test to check your standing as an etymologist and a chapter with five simple steps on how to keep building your grammer.

A well written and edited book that’s so easy to understand and the simplicity of language makes it the perfect companion for you, whether your a non academic working professional or even the academic professional. A high school student would benefit as much from this as a post graduate. It can improve the intellectuall climate of your life and allow you to give yourself a better understanding of yourself and the world around you with renewed clarity. There are also brief intermissions that has random notes on modern usage of words, the changes in grammer as well how to speak naturally and avoid sounding like a purist.

The book is also refreshingly honest in the short comings in the English language. Take the example of one answering the telephone, Norman Lewis says;
“ if you answer saying ‘this is her’ you may give the impression that your unenducated. Saying ‘ I am so& so may sound like the opening line of aschool play and the ubiquitous term ‘speaking’ is suspiciously business like if the call comes to your home. The need for a decision arises several times during the course of a busy day and im sorry to say the English language is deficient enough to not be of much help’

Theres also a bonus at the end of this revised and enlarged edition of ‘Word Power Made Easy’ with the latest word list, a pronunciation key, and some esoteric phobia. Its low pricing makes it extremely afforadable and is a recommended must in your quest for personal and social success.