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Exercises

1. Read" The Tempest," page 40, and observe that the writer, by the method he employs in the narration and the words he uses, presents the scene so vividly that his readers can almost fancy that they were with him and shared his experiences. Consider how much his frequent reference to the influence which the storm had upon himself adds to the thrilling effect.

2. What is the main incident in this narrative? Does the writer make all other incidents and details subordinate to it?

3. Why do you think the writer dwells so long upon the happenings of the night instead of giving the account of the shipwreck at once?

4. If the mention of the terrified and superstitious servants gathered in the kitchen of the inn had been omitted, would it have affected the story?

5. Select from the items and details given those which help you to picture the severity of the storm.

6. Perhaps the reading of this narrative has recalled to your mind some storm which caused much damage in your town or neighborhood. Write an account of it, making your narrative as vivid as you can.

7. Mr. Warner's account of killing the bear, page 42, presents a lively narration with the point of the story well defined. Notice how, by a skillful use of words that express action, he passes rapidly from one situation to another, thus holding the interest of the reader.

8. Name the main incident and explain the author's method of giving it particular prominence.

9. Consider how much the comments which the writer

makes at intervals in the course of the story add to the humor of his account of the adventure. Tell the story in your own words, omitting the mention of everything that adds to the humorous feature of it, and consider the effect.

10. You may have had some stirring adventure or some narrow escape. Relate it, making your account as realistic as possible.

NOTE. The teacher will use her own judgment in the use of these exercises, selecting from and adding to them for the composition exercises to be written once or twice a week by each pupil.

The themes which the pupils write should be preserved to be reexamined and criticised from time to time as the pupil's knowledge of the principles that govern the expression of thought increases. Often it will be found desirable to rewrite them, to correct any mistakes which may have been made in the first writing, and to improve the language used.

The teacher may find it desirable at this point to ask pupils to relate orally some adventures and experiences of their own, making realism, humor, or some other point the purpose to be attained.

SECTION VII

Letter Writing

Letter writing is the form of written composition which one uses most, and it is therefore important that the customs which govern the arrangement of the parts of a letter should be learned and observed. The position and the form in which the heading is written, the position and the form of the salutation, and the proper form for the formal closing are points that should receive careful attention.

Heading of a Letter. The heading of a letter includes the address of the person writing and the date of writing. The importance of writing one's address is apparent when we consider that if it is omitted or is written illegibly, the person to whom the letter is written may not know where to direct his reply. It does not seem possible that

any person could be so careless as to neglect to give his address when he expects a reply, yet it is a fact that even business letters often lack the full address of the writer. The date is sometimes of equal importance and should never be omitted.

The Salutation. - The form of the salutation will depend upon the nature of the letter being written. If it is a letter to a friend, an informal salutation such as, "Dear Henry," "Dear Friend Mary," "Dear Cousin," is used. If the letter is a formal or business communication, a more formal salutation is used. "Dear Sir," "Dear Madam," "My dear 'Gentlemen," are appropriate salutations for formal or business letters.

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Sir,"

The Closing. The conclusion or the term of respect at the close of a letter depends upon the relation of the writer and the person to whom he is writing. If they are friends or

acquaintances, "Yours sincerely,' ""Yours affectionately," "Your loving friend," or some similar phrase will be appropriate. For the conclusion of a formal letter the phrases, "Yours truly," "Yours cordially," "Yours respectfully," may be used. The closing "Yours respectfully" is now seldom used except in communications of a very formal character, such as public letters and documents requiring signature.

Address. The address on the envelope should be plainly written. Many letters go astray because persons who address them are not careful to write the addresses plainly. It is usually best to write the names of states in full, as the abbreviations for some of the states are sometimes confused with each other. Punctuation marks are not used with the address on the envelope except with abbreviations, which are always followed by periods.

Exercises

Using the following items write headings, salutations, closings, and signatures, arranging and punctuating according to the instructions given. Address an envelope for each.

1. Harry Simpson of 23 State Street, Chicago, Illinois, writes to his mother, Mrs. William H. Simpson of Madison, Wisconsin.

2. Margaret Ames of 324 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, D.C., writes to her friend, Florence Wells of 1045 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

3. Mrs. Mary S. Ferguson of 36 Chestnut Street, Asheville, North Carolina, writes to Messrs. Harper and Brothers, Franklin Square, New York City.

4. Arthur Thomson of 126 West 23d Street, New York City, writes to Prof. Henry F. Wilson of Princeton, New Jersey, upon business.

Friendly Letters. The friendly letter is written for the purpose of giving information and pleasure to the person to whom it is written. It is important, then, that the person writing should express himself so that the person to whom he writes may from the perusal of the letter gain the information and derive the pleasure intended. As you write of the incidents of everyday life and of the people whom you meet, the suggestions already made for relating occurrences and describing persons and places should be followed.

Business Letters. The business letter is written for the purpose of stating or inquiring after something, or to give instructions regarding some matter of business. The necessity for clearness and accuracy is evident, as inconvenience, annoyance, delay, and even serious loss may

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result from carelessness and inaccuracy in writing upon a matter of business. A business letter as a rule should be brief, stating clearly and definitely the matter upon which it is written and nothing more. Special care should be taken that the name and address of the person to whom it is written, as well as those of the writer, should be written plainly and correctly.

Exercises

1. Write a letter to a former schoolmate who is now living in another city, telling him of any event or incident in your school life which you think will interest him. Ask him about the school he is attending and add anything which you think you would say in such a letter.

2. Write to a brother or sister in college, giving such information about what is happening at home as you think will be of interest.

3. Write to a cousin or other relative who lives in California or some other distant state, telling of the climate in your part of the country, the leading industry in your city or county, the games and amusements in which you indulge; or give any information which you think might be of interest to a person who has never been in your city or state.

4. Write a letter to your state or city superintendent, giving a description of your schoolhouse, observing the following points: the location of the building, its size, the material of which it is made, the style of architecture, the number of rooms, the decoration and furnishing of the building. Put what you write upon each point into a separate paragraph.

5. Write to a friend and give a full and accurate account of a game of football you have seen or taken part in.

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