The most important use of description in connection with narration is that of portraying character.  Though it is by their actions that the character of persons is most strongly brought out, yet the descriptive matter may do much to strengthen the impression of character which we form. (Section 134.) Much of the description found in literature is of this nature.  Stripped of its context such a description may fail to satisfy our ideals as judged by the principles of description discussed in Chapter VIII.  Nevertheless, in its place it may be perfectly adapted to its purpose and give just the impression the author wished to give.  Such descriptions must be judged in their settings, and the sole standard of judgment is not their beauty or completeness as descriptions, but how well they give the desired impressions.

+Theme LXXXIII.+—­Write a short personal narrative containing some description which explains how or why events occur.

(Is there anything in the descriptive part that does not bear on the narration?)

+Theme LXXXIV.+—­Write a narrative containing description that aids in giving an impression of character.

Suggested subjects:—­
  1.  Holding the fort.
  2.  A steamer trip.
  3.  How I played truant.
  4.  Kidnapped.
  5.  The misfortunes of our circus.
  6.  Account for the situation shown in a picture that you have seen.

(Will the reader form the impression of character which you wish him to form?  Consider your theme with reference to its introduction, incentive moment, selection and arrangement of details, and climax.)

SUMMARY

1.  Narration assumes a variety of forms,—­incidents, anecdotes, stories,
    letters, novels, histories, biographies, etc.,—­all concerned with the
    relation of events.

2.  The essential characteristics of a narration are,—­
    a. An introduction which tells the characters, the time, the place,
          and enough of the attendant circumstances to make clear the
          point of the narrative.
    b. The early introduction of an incentive moment.
    c. A climax presented in such a way as to maintain the interest of
          the reader.
    d. The selection of details essential to the climax in accordance
          with the principle of unity.
    e. The arrangement of these details in a coherent order.
    f. The skillful introduction of minor details which will assist in
          the appreciation of the point.
    g. The introduction of all necessary description and explanation.
    h. That additional effectiveness which comes from
            (1) Proper choice of words.
            (2) Suitable comparisons and figures.
            (3) Variety of sentence structure.
    i. A brief conclusion.