4. Sequence of tenses, grammar and the misuse of two or three terms, require special attention in the following:

The Testimony of the Two Villains

After the testimony of Higg the son of Snell two villains which were bribed to give evidence that would convict Rebecca were called. They were at first daunted by the beauty of Rebecca, but summoning up their courage, each gives their evidence without hesitation. Their testimony, in brief, was as follows:- that Rebecca muttered to herself in a strange language, that her songs charmed those who heard her sing, and that her ring was engraved with magic devices. One of the rascals said that by repeating certain mysterious words over a wounded man, she had caused a cross-bow bolt to extract itself from a man's body, and in a quarter of an hour, the man had been well. The other said that he saw Rebecca with the templar at Torquilstone. She turned into a dove, circled three times round the tower, and had returned, resuming her own shape. All this absurd evidence was believed by the entire assembly.

5. Look for peculiar expressions, bad spelling, lack of capitals, and improper abbreviations. Write a criticism of the last sentence of this letter and of anything else that you cannot express by symbols.

Dear John

74 Somers Street, B'kl'n, N. Y. June 6, 1905.

High School is much different from Grammar school, the work here being more difficult & the teachers more strict. All our instructors are men as the pupils are also boys. The course of study is all different, the subjects being latin, english, algebra, Science, and three miner subjects. These are elocution, Mechanical Drawing & music. The day is seperated into six periods of forty-five minutes each. Abell rings at the end of each period and we then go to a different room. The lunch period is but a half hour, so to even this up we are dismissed at half past two. We had mid-term examinations two weaks ago, and I did well in all, except algebra,

but I hope to make this up. I am getting along alright and hope to be permoted. This being all I have to say in answer to your former letter, I remain,

Your Chum,

Albert Williams.

6. In addition to placing the usual marks in the margin, write your opinion of the paragraph with respect to bookishness and matters of taste.

A long period of time has elapsed now and yet judge Pyncheon moves not hand or foot. The only sound that breaks the awful monotonous stillness is the ticking of the Judge's chronometer. The moon is rising and the shadows of the trees cast a wierd light on the scene. It is now full twelve hours since he first sunk into the capacious depths of that venerable chair. His watch has stopt measuring time and silence is more impressive than ever. Grimalkin has looked through the window and observing a person seated on the chair thinks it more expedient to remain outside. What has not the Judge moved yet? It is now light and another day is being ushered into existence. In the outer world people are stiring but the honorable Pyncheon still reclines in his easy chair.

CHAPTER VI

THE WHOLE COMPOSITION

153. Written Composition.- As has already been pointed out in the preceding chapter, composition is not an end in itself. It is a means of communication. Every one has need of expressing his thought and feelings to others. But thoughts and feelings are often very complex, and we find it difficult to communicate them effectively, because we have imperfect command over language. The object of our study in written composition is to gain such control over our English that we can express our thoughts clearly, correctly, and forcibly. Such ability can be acquired through constant practice and through knowledge and application of rhetorical principles.

154. Rhetoric Explained and Defined.- Rhetoric may be defined either as a science or as an art. When considered as a science it is thought of as the body of principles which underlie correct and effective expression of thought, either in speech or in writing. As an art it is the application of these rules in composition. Rhetoric may be defined, therefore, as a body of principles which teaches the art of effective communication. In this sense it is a science, and is distinguished from composition, which represents the

art.

155. Scope of the Subject.- Since composition means the putting together of a number of parts so as to construct a whole, a study of rhetoric will necessarily deal with all the parts as well as with the whole composition. This will include (1) the choice of words, (2) the formation of the sentence, (3) the construction of paragraphs, (4) and the grouping of paragraphs into larger wholes.

156. Kinds of Composition.- Composition may be classified in various ways. According to one grouping, in which we take into consideration the occasion and subject matter as well as the form, we have, in spoken discourse: conversation, speech, address, oration, sermon; in written discourse: theme, thesis, essay, dissertation, treatise, and many others. Upon another basis of grouping, in which we consider chiefly the special object we have in view, whether it be to relate, to depict, to explain, or to convince,— we have narration, description, exposition, and argumentation.

157. Narration.— Narration is the simplest kind of discourse. Its purpose is to tell a story. The story may be real or imaginary; it may deal with a simple incident, or it may treat of a long and complicated series of events. The ideal narrative is one which gives connected events in such a way that the reader or hearer shall understand their proper relations.

158. Description.- Narration deals with events, description with objects. The former tells what things happen, the latter how things look. Description, then, is concerned with the appearance of objects,— their

form, size, lineaments, and color. Its aim is to depict with such vividness that a clear picture is formed in the mind of the hearer or reader.

159. Exposition.— The purpose of exposition is to explain, to define. We make use of it every day of our lives. We make a statement which is not understood, and we explain our meaning. We consult the dictionary for the meaning of a word, and find it explained to us. We tell or are told how something should be done. We visit a factory and the machines and processes are explained to us. The scientist in his books explains to his readers the discovery he has made and its significance. The historian in addition to narrating events, explains their causes and effects. All this is exposition.

160. Argumentation.- Argumentation is a process of reasoning, the aim of which is to establish the truth or falsity of a proposition by means of proof. It is closely allied to exposition, indeed a large share of argumentative composition of length must be expository in nature in order to be properly understood. By exposition we convey to another our meaning, by argument we strive to convince him of the reasonableness or unreasonableness of a proposition.

EXERCISE

161. According to the purpose you would have in mind in writing on the following topics, determine in each case whether the composition would be narration, description, exposition, or argumentation. Indicate