New and updated material on electronically-mediated communication such as texting and etiquette of instant messaging. A major new section on literature and speech with tools for reading and analyzing literary works and speech acts. A new explanation of where (some) contractions, like ain't , fit into English word formation An extended discussion of attitudes about language focusing on the debate between those who believe English is decaying to those who feel language is change is natural. An improved section on "what makes good writing."