This document discusses two types of dictionaries - prescriptive dictionaries that prescribe proper word usage and spelling, and descriptive dictionaries that describe common usage including nonstandard terms. It also notes Noah Webster published the first American dictionary in 1806.

4. Dictionary

6. Prescriptive
Tend to be more concerned about correct
or standard English. They prescribe the
proper usage and spelling of words.
Ex. Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the
English Language (1755) had social
commentary and jokes;
American Noah Webster's An American
Dictionary of the English Language
(1828)

7. Descriptive
Describe the language.
They include words that are commonly used
even if they are nonstandard.
They will often include nonstandard spellings.
Ex. Merriam-Webster, Times-Mirror, World
Book, and Funk and Wagnall's.

9. Parts of the Dictionary

12. Trivia

14. Noah Webster
• In 1806, American,
published his first
dictionary, A
Compendious
Dictionary of the
English Language.