This is the preliminary draft of a planned "Introduction to Modern Arabic Prose Literature," the completed text of which "would offer basic biographical and bibliographical impressions, rather than extensive treatments, of the major figures in Arabic prose in the 19th and 20th centuries, along with concise assessments of their ranges of interests and literary achievements." The present version begins with an introductory section on classical Arabic literature and then traces the development of Arabic prose writing from the time of the Napoleonic invasion of Egypt to the period following World War II. Individual sections cover the production of a certain time period or movement ("The Muhammad Ali Dynasty and the Arabic Renaissance,""Syrian Muslim Reformists," etc.), providing a brief general introduction to the period followed by extended treatments of important authors. The author stresses that sections on mid-20th century journalists, political and philosophical writers, and certain major figures in contemporary Arabic fiction are necessary before the text can be considered complete. A 90-page bibliography compiled by Howard Rowland is appended. It lists not only the works of the authors considered in the body of the text but also critical considerations of these authors as well. [Not available in hard copy due to marginal legibility of original.] (FWB)