THIS book is planned to afford the learner a practice review of the essentials of English grammar, and a preparation for the study of formal and practical rhetoric. The book is, in brief, a manual of the working principles of English composition. It is designed to serve as a natural transition from the study of grammar to that of rhetoric proper. It is, for this reason, adapted to the needs of the higher classes in grammar schools and the lower classes in high schools. Part One is replete with matter suited to the task of training the pupil to syntactical accuracy. The materials for study and practice have been selected and arranged with a constant view to the vital pedagogical principle-learning by doing. The pupil should be taught from the first to punctuate correctly what he writes. No writing is complete until it is punctuated. To punctuate properly is as important as to spell correctly. To master the art of punctuating is to master a very considerable part of the art of clearness in written composition. For this reason the subject is treated with unusual fullness in Part Two. Part Three sets forth the principles governing the art of letter writing. But this art, like all others, cannot be mastered without much practice. The discussion of principles is therefore followed by an abundance of suggestive exercises. Part Four is in itself a brief manual of composition. It discusses words, sentences, and paragraphs. Figurative language is explained and illustrated with considerable fullness. The principles of clearness, force, unity, variety, and transition are set forth and illustrated. A marked feature of Part Four is the unusual variety and fullness of pracM69918 (iii) |