Thinking Syntactically: A Guide to Argumentation and Analysis (Blackwell Textbooks in Linguistics)

Haegeman's Thinking Syntactically is probably the most accessible introduction to minimalist syntax that is presently available. I used it to supplement more formally-rigorous texts in an intro graduate syntax class and found its contribution to my understanding invaluable. Haegemen starts from a very basic description of auxiliary inversion in English to motivate a theory of main clause structure (while providing supporting examples from many other languages, especialy in the exercises). Her essential approach is minimalist, although her reliance on good examples and clear discussions of theoretical presuppositions make this a useful model of syntactic argumentation no matter what syntactic theory you are working in (I found it helpful in a GB course). Very little prior knowledge is presupposed- each step that is made in the development of the theory is explained and well-motivated by argument and very good examples. Recommended for anyone starting out in syntax.