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.

8.  Ambiguity of thought must be avoided.  Care must be exercised in the
   use of the forms which show relations in thought between sentences,
   especially with pronouns and pronominal adjectives (Section 36).

9.  A paragraph is a group of sentences related to each other and to one
   central idea.
10.  The topic statement of a paragraph is a brief comprehensive summary of
    the contents of the paragraph.

11.  Methods of paragraph development.  A paragraph may be developed—­
    a. By giving specific instances (Section 44).
    b. By giving details (Section 45).  The order in which the details
           are told may be determined by—­
             (1) The order of their occurrence in time (Section 46).
             (2) Their position in space (Section 47).
    c. By comparison or contrast (Section 48).
    d. By stating cause and effect (Section 49).
    e. By repetition (Section 50).
    f. By any suitable combination of the methods stated above.

12.  The topical recitation demands—­
    a. That the pupil get the central idea of the paragraph and be able
          to make the topic statement.
    b. That he be able to determine the relative importance of the
          remaining ideas in the paragraph.
    c. That he know by which of the five methods named above the
          paragraph has been developed.
    d. That he be able to furnish details, instances, and comparisons of
          his own. (See Sections 37, 38, 39, 52, 53.)

IV.  THE PURPOSE OF EXPRESSION

+54.  Kinds of Composition.+—­When considered with reference to the purpose in the mind of the writer, there are two general classes of writing,—­that which informs, and that which entertains.  The language that we use should make our meaning clear, arouse interest, and give vividness.  Writing that informs will lay greatest emphasis on clearness, though it may at the same time be interesting and vivid.  We do not add to the value of an explanation by making it dull.  On the other hand, writing that entertains, though it must be clear, will lay greater emphasis on interest and vividness.  That language is best which combines all three of these characteristics.  The writer’s purpose will determine to which the emphasis shall be given.

Composition is also divided into description, narration, exposition, and argument (including persuasion).  These are called forms of discourse.  It will be found that this division is also based upon the purpose for which the composition is written.  You have occasion to use each of these forms of discourse daily; you describe, you narrate, you explain, you argue, you persuade.  You have used language for these purposes from your infancy, and you are now studying composition in order to acquire facility and effectiveness in that use.  When this chapter is completed, you will have considered each of the four forms of discourse in an elementary way.  A more extended treatment is given in later chapters.

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Composition-Rhetoric from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.