The Syriac Primer serves as an introduction to the Syriac language. It assumes no knowledge of Syriac or any related language. The first chapter introduces the alphabet, with ample reading samples (on the accompanying CD). The second chapter moves into building basic sentences. The following chapters give elementary and intermediate readings (also on the CD), with basic grammar chapters in between. Features of the book are the inclusion of chapters on poetry, how to use a dictionary, and vocabulary lists.