By Dr Gayreen Lyngdoh
Prism is an English course book created specifically for the BCom students of North-Eastern Hill University by the Shillong Forum for English Studies in collaboration with teachers drawn from various colleges affiliated to the university.
The contents of the book focus exclusively on the recently revised BCom syllabus and feature three poems, two prose pieces and an adaptation of a biography as well as units on various forms of written and electronic communication.
The text, divided into two main sections, is further divided into parts. Section 1 Part A covers the Literature Section and features three poems: Dylan Thomas’ Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night, an extract from Polish poet Wislawa Szymborska’s View With A Grain Of Sand and Robert Frost’s Stopping by Woods On A Snowy Evening.
The prose pieces include Life At My Own Pace, a short story by celebrated Anglo-Indian author Ruskin Bond, A note on Herman Wouk’s A Talk on Advertising and a brief biography of eminent entrepreneur JRD Tata. Part B which comprises the Composition Section focuses on essay writing and precis writing, while Section 11 deals with official/business correspondence and Electronic Communication.
The book offers variety and balance in terms of genre and style, acquainting readers with different kinds of literature as well as equipping them with the highly necessary writing, presenting and correspondence skills so indispensible in the corporate and IT world of today.
In this sense, it is extremely timely and relevant to the present context. What is highly commendable about this book is that every added feature seems specially designed to facilitate a better understanding and deeper appreciation of each work. Thus, almost all chapters, barring a few, include a comprehensive biography of the writers studied, well-researched notes and annotations on the given texts, as well as sample works and guidelines to aid students in different kinds of writing, without oversimplifying them, keeping in view the level of the students meant for.
The suggested reading lists at the end of the chapters offer readers further reference source for obtaining more information and detailed learning. The book is, therefore, an excellent resource for both students and educators alike.
If there is one drawback with this present volume, it is that Herman Wouk’s A Talk On Advertising features here as a summary. The likely reason for this could be that it was occasioned by copyright provisions. Similarly, a small portion comprising Circular and Memo Writing has been left out.
All in all, this text is a good investment for any student. It will certainly help in building and enhancing linguistic competence and in acquiring the skills necessary for future academic and professional pursuits, which is what this book endeavours to achieve.
(The author teaches English at
Synod College)
Book: Prism: An English Coursebook for BCom Students;
Published by: North-Eastern Hill University,
Cambridge University Press India, New Delhi; Pages: 70;
Price: Rs 160
