Composition-Rhetoric eBook

Stratton D. Brooks
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 464 pages of information about Composition-Rhetoric.

Composition-Rhetoric eBook

Stratton D. Brooks
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 464 pages of information about Composition-Rhetoric.

4. The use of general rather than specific terms. (He approached the brook cautiously, and concealing himself in the bushes, began fishing.) A consideration of the choice of words in the sentence belongs strictly to the study of diction; however, force in the sentence is dependent in a large measure on the words employed.  Observe how forceful the following sentence is as contrasted with the first example:  (He crept noiselessly to the fishing hole, and hiding in the willows, threw his hook into the stream.)

5. Failure to employ balance and contrast. (Worth makes the man; but the fellow is made by the want of it.) (His life was spent in repenting of past misdeeds; in doing what was wrong, while he inculcated principles of righteousness.) Compare these with:  (Worth makes the man; the want of it, the fellow.) (His life was spent in sinning and repenting; in inculcating what was right, and doing what was wrong.) Here the regularity of form gives pleasure to the taste, while the position of balanced and parallel parts adds clearness, coherence, and emphasis to the thoughts expressed.  This method of sentence structure, if employed too frequently, however, will lead to a mannerism difficult to overcome.  The caution to be heeded in the case of this type of sentence as well as in the case of every other is, “Nothing too much.”  Observe the law of variety.

EXERCISES

Point out the specific faults and correct:—­

1.  He neither gave satisfaction as butler nor as coachman.

2.  Elaine deserves our sympathy from the beginning to the end of the novel.

3.  John only played once and won; and then, after watching the other players for a time, he got up and left the room.

4.  The boy had an unconquerable fear of reptiles which no reasoning could overcome.

5 The Vicar’s son Moses was a good student of the classics, but he made a bad bargain in his purchase of the green spectacles.

6.  In all of his behavior toward Lynette, Gareth was patient and courteous, which reflected much credit on his knightly character.

7.  Johnson was a man with a heroic soul, a wonderful intellect, and a kind heart.

8.  After they had all assembled and come together, Odysseus addressed them.

9.  He had reached the age of seventy, and his death was due to a nervous disorder.

10.  The boys were only injured a little.

11.  George Eliot’s writings are filled with the philosophy of life, if we are wise enough to discover it.

12.  Addison was sincere and kindly in his attitude toward men, and Pope was hypocritical and spiteful.

13.  With reputation, character, and wealth gone, the poor man had little to live for.

14.  Lancelot loved Queen Guinevere dearly, and he was Arthur’s most valorous knight.

15.  We are at peace with all the world and the rest of mankind.

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
Composition-Rhetoric from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.