Spanish Composition Through Literature (3rd Edition) [Hardcover]

Cándido Ayllón (Author), Paul C. Smith (Author), Antonio Morillo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 11, 1995 | ISBN-10: 0131865862 | ISBN-13: 978-0131865860 | Edition: 3

This classic presents outstanding works as models for writing. Readings illustrate a variety of topics, themes, styles, and techniques. Each chapter contains explanations and activities for vocabulary development, comprehension, interpretation, style, translation, and free composition. It focuses primarily on the literary text, vocabulary and writing skills, and emphasizes control of language through lexical and grammatical precision.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: Spanish, English

From the Publisher

This classic presents outstanding texts as models for writing. Readings illustrate a variety of topics, themes, styles, and techniques. Each chapter contains explanations and activities for vocabulary development, comprehension, interpretation, style, translation, and free composition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 356 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 3 edition (July 11, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131865862
• ISBN-13: 978-0131865860
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,615,484 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent advanced text, though more grammar than composition, September 9, 2006

By 

C. Fountain (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spanish Composition Through Literature (5th Edition) (Paperback)

This is an excellent advanced Spanish textbook, with well-chosen selections from Spanish-language literature. I teach college-level grammar and composition courses and find the vocabulary and grammar explanations both clear and thorough. It's important to note that this is definitely a text for advanced students; beginning and even intermediate students will likely find it too difficult

I must comment on an earlier review - no one should judge an advanced text by what one native speaker says about colloquial usage. Not only does this vary from country to country, but one also has to keep in mind that this text is intended to improve Spanish writing skills. Written language tends to be more formal, so it's not surprising that some of the vocabulary here is not often heard in everyday language. Advanced students of the language should not just be learning "everyday" words; they also need more learned and formal vocabulary. This text does a very good job of giving students just that. To give an analogy from English, just because we don't run around saying words like "despondent" or "prevalent" all day long doesn't mean they aren't valid English words that most educated speakers know how to use.

The only reason this text does not get 5 stars from me is that I consider it more of a grammar text than a composition text - there aren't many writing exercises, and so I think the title is a bit misleading. A more accurate title would be "Spanish Grammar Through Literature"

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for more advanced study, March 9, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Kentucky) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spanish Composition Through Literature (3rd Edition) (Hardcover)

I just found this book on my high school Spanish teacher's shelves. It really must be a classic as the reviews say because her copy is from 1968. The book is great if you want to reach native ability, especially in reading. After each selection, there are notes about specific words which often compare and contrast synonyms and give guidelines on useage which I really like.

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic, November 21, 2011

By 

Catwoman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spanish Composition Through Literature (4th Edition) (Hardcover)

Just unearthed my 20 year old copy that I used in my college Spanish 2 class. I was delighted to review it. This book is an excellent way to deepen an advanced student's knowledge and sophistication with the language. Looking through its chapters , I realize how many of these lessons on the subtle differences in meaning and intent with similar vocabulary has contributed to my grasp and eloquence in this, my second, language. I'm going to have to buy a new copy because I can't part with it long enough for my daughter to benefit from its poetic gifts.