This document provides an overview of negotiable instruments including their purpose and key types. It defines a negotiable instrument as a written and signed document containing an unconditional promise or order to pay a fixed sum of money. The main types discussed are promise instruments like notes and certificates of deposit, and order instruments like drafts/bills of exchange and various types of checks. The document also covers the requirements for an instrument to be negotiable, parties to instruments, transferring instruments through assignment and negotiation, and types of endorsements.