—­Walter Camp:  Winning a “Y" ("Outlook”)

In which of the preceding accounts were you more interested?  Which made the more vivid impression?  Which would be better suited for a school class composed of boys and girls?  Which for a newspaper report?

In attempting to relate a contest it is essential that the writer know what really happened, and in what order it happened, but his successful presentation will depend to some extent upon the consideration given to adapting the story to the audience.  A person thoroughly conversant with the game will understand the technical terms, and may prefer the first account to the second, but those to whom the game is not familiar would need to have so much explanation of the terms used that the narration would become tedious to those already familiar with the terms.  In order to make an account of a game interesting to persons unfamiliar with that game, we must introduce enough of explanation to make clear the meaning of the terms we use.

+Theme XXXIII.+—­Write a theme telling some one who does not understand the game about some contest which you have seen.

Suggested subjects:—­

1.  A basket ball game. 2.  A football game. 3.  A tennis match. 4.  A baseball game. 5.  A croquet match. 6.  A golf tournament. 7.  A yacht race. 8.  A relay race.

(Have you introduced technical terms without making the necessary explanations?  Have you explained so many terms that your narrative is rendered tedious?  Have you related what really happened, and in the proper time order?  Have your paragraphs unity?  Can you shorten the theme without affecting the clearness or interest?  Does then occur too frequently?)

+Theme XXXIV.+—­Write a theme, using the same subject that you used for Theme XXXIII.  Assume that the reader understands the game.

(Will the reader get the whole contest clearly in mind?  Can you shorten the account?  Compare this theme with Theme XXXIII.)

+63.  Explanation of Terms.+—­Any word that alone or with its modifiers calls to mind a single idea, is a term.  When applied to a particular object, quality, or action, it is a specific term; but when applied to any one of a class of objects, qualities, or actions, it is a general term.  For example:  The Lake, referring to a lake near at hand, is a specific term; but a lake, referring to any lake, is a general term.  In Theme XXXIII you had occasion to explain some of the terms used.  If, in telling about a baseball game, you mentioned a particular “fly,” your statement was description or narration; but if some one should ask what you meant by “a fly,” your answer would be general in character; that is, it would apply to all “flies,” and would belong to that division of composition called exposition.  Exposition is but another name for explanation.  It is always concerned with that which is general, while description and narration deal with particular cases.  We may describe a particular lake; but if we answer the question, What is a lake? the answer would apply to any lake, and would be exposition.  Explanation of the meaning of general terms is one form of exposition.