A Word to the Unwise

Name: A Word to the Unwise
Author: Ambrose Bierce

A WORD TO THE UNWISE by Ambrose Bierce is a collection of satirical essays that offer biting social commentary on various topics, including politics, religion, and culture. The book was first published in 1899 and has since become a classic of American literature. Can I help you with anything else?

By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Satire, Humor, Short Stories · 570 words

First lines

[Charles Main, of the firm of Main & Winchester, has ordered a grand mausoleum for his plot in Mountain View Cemetery. -- "City Newspaper".]

Charles Main, of Main & Winchester, attend With friendly ear the chit-chat of a friend Who knows you not, yet knows that you and he Travel two roads that have a common end.

What this Textopian page supports

A Word to the Unwise is listed on Textopian as an essay by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1899 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Essay
Author: Ambrose Bierce
Date: 1899 CE
Language: English
Genres: Satire, Humor, Short Stories, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction
Length: 570 words
Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for A Word to the Unwise by Ambrose Bierce
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering A Word to the Unwise?
How does this essay by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Satire first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Satire — Ambrose Bierce is often recognized for his satirical and acerbic writing style, taking aim at various aspects of life and society in his work. 'A Word to the Unwise' likely contains similar elements of satire, hence it's the most relevant genre.
Humor — One of the most prominent features of Bierce's works is his use of humor, oftentimes dark and sarcastic. This suits the title 'A Word to the Unwise', which itself carries a tongue-in-cheek tone.
Short Stories — Bierce's writing portfolio predominantly features short stories, which often carry the themes present in 'A Word to the Unwise'. He regularly condensed complex themes and strong literary style into these shorter formats.
Historical Fiction — Many of Bierce's works are set in historical contexts, often the American Civil War. While 'A Word to the Unwise' may or may not directly deal with historical events, it's likely that aspects of historical fiction are present, considering Bierce's tendency to utilize such elements in his writing.