English, Oral and Written; For High Schools

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1914. Excerpt: ... WRITTEN COMPOSITION: NARRATION 46. Introduction. The art of composition is acquired by practice in self-expression. Obviously a great deal of help is derived from reading-what others have written and from hearing what others say; but in the end it is a matter of expressing your own self. If you find composition difficult, it is because there has not been sufficient practice to give such a command over language as to make writing and speaking easy. 47. Written Composition. The object in studying written composition is to get practice in expressing one's self clearly, correctly, and forcefully. The aim is precisely the same as in oral composition; so are the methods employed. Hence the two should be practiced together. Written composition, however, is addressed to a reader who has no opportunities to ask questions if he does not understand, or to note intonations of the voice, expressions of the face, and all those aids which the speaker uses to convey his meaning. Only the word forms are before him, with such helps of interpretation as punctuation can give. Therefore, the writer must so express himself that the reader may readily understand his meaning. 48. Form. We have already studied the form of one kind of written composition of a distinctive type; that is, letter writing. There are certain essentials of form in written composition in general, that greatly help the reader to understand with ease and pleasure. One of these, of no little importance, is a neat and legible handwriting. Many misunderstandings, delays, annoyances, and losses have resulted because this mechanical process has been carelessly done. Subject matter loses force when a paper is faulty in form and arrangement. It will greatly assist your readers if you adopt the following suggestion...