THE BATTLE OF TRENTON I. Introduction. 1. Definition. a. 2. Time. a. 3. Place. a. b. II. Discussion. 1. Reasons. a. b. 2. Manner. a. b. C. d. e. III. Results. 1. 2. All three of these plans are equally good. We should notice that, whichever form we use, we must make use of major and minor topics; that these topics represent the < natural divisions of the subject; that they are properly related; and that our five original queries are answered, though of course in different proportions. Let us apply our rule of arrangement to some of the other topics already discussed: THE BASEBALL DIAMOND 1. Definition. 2. Place to be selected. (what?) But this can be improved, we see at once, because all of these five topics are not of equal importance. Topics 1-2-3-4 are subordinate really and topic 5 the most important, for we are concerned with the manner or fashion of the diamond, as our title indicates. Let us revise it therefore: And, by way of still further illustration, consider the arrangement of material for a composition to be written on "A Rural Scene": A RURAL SCENE 1. What is this scene country fields, lakes and mountains, monotonous prairie, or diversified ? 2. Where is it? 3. At what time of day and year do we view it? 4. Why do we dwell upon it est, its color? 5. Its manner of appeal to us for its beauty, its oddity, its inter - how we like it. 1 b. Hedgerows. d. Heights and depths. e. Trees. f. Shadows. g. Old barn. III. Conclusion. 1. Impressions made upon us. Or in still another form: I. General view of scene. 1. Definition. 2. Time. 3. Place. II. Detailed view. 1. Details of scene. a. Fields. b. Hedgerows. c. Color. d. Heights and depths. e. Trees. f. Shadows. g. Old barn. III. Impressions. 1. Peace and quiet of a domestic landscape. Form of Topics. In all these outlines the topics have been put, as a rule, into words or phrases, not into sentences. This has been done for brevity, and in order to show more readily the methods by which they were drawn forth from the subject. But, remembering the counsel given in the discussion of Unity, you should take care to make a complete sentence of each topic before you begin the actual writing of the composition. This might be done mentally; an old hand at writing would probably so do it; but begin by writing out your topic sentence on paper before you start your essay. You will not regret the labor, even if it often seems unnecessary. In the exercises below you will find an example of bad composition, which is bad just because the writer did not follow this simple rule. EXERCISES I. Revise orally the outline of "The Runaway" on page 20, making a complete sentence for each division and subdivision. Do the same thing for the other outlines above. Explain II. Rearrange the contents of the following composition by means of outline; then write the composition accordingly. where and why you changed it. JIM'S FALL One day Jim came to a chestnut tree and thought it would be good fun to climb it and throw chestnuts at the school children passing under it. Presently the boy who lived next door to Jim came along with books under his arm. Jim was mischievous and fond of fun. Joe, the boy next door, was industrious and thrifty. Jim got out farther on a bough. It cracked and broke. He was just taking a good aim in order to hit Joe. When he became conscious he was in bed and the doctor was bending over him. He was hurt in falling from the tree and became unconscious. He missed his aim and Joe was not hurt. He opened his eyes and the doctor was saying, “If he is good in the future and goes to school every day, he will get better again." Jim went to school every day and at the end of the term received the medal for being the best boy in the class. Jim liked to play tricks and make trouble for everybody. He liked to play truant. When he fell from the tree he was going fishing instead of to school. It never occurred to him that the chestnuts would be more likely to please the children than to frighten them. |