served," specific instances are given. In the generic part, the condition of affairs is first set forth, then the proposed solution is explained by telling what it is not, then what it is. The specific instances are de signed to show the absurdity of the proposed solution. Subjects Take one side of the questions, first in general, then in particular instances: Should debating be made obligatory in the High School? Ought tramps be made to work? Are moving pictures injurious to morals? Are strikes profitable? Should citizens be forced to vote? CHAPTER X ANALYSIS 62. To reduce a composition to its elements (literary analysis) is an aid to writing. Analysis of the thought is the topic here. Such an analysis promotes clear and orderly thinking, assists the memory and enriches the power of expression by entering into and revealing the various aspects of the thought. One learns the ways of composition by traveling under the expert guidance of another. The analysis of expression is also helpful. The analysis of words according to derivation (etymology) is a help to spelling and to accuracy of thought. The analysis of sentences according to grammar (syntax) is a help to clearness and correctness. The analysis, as in this book, of the elements of composition, of its qualities, its processes, its types (rhetoric), teaches the rules of writing. I. Synopsis 63. Put the contents of a composition or any part of it in a few words (title, headline, paragraph-heading). The title is usually briefer and more comprehensive than the headline or paragraph-heading. The title gives the contents of books or whole composition; the headline gives the contents of pages and columns. The newspaper headline singles out the most striking thought. 64. State the substance of a composition in a series of propositions or phrases (topical outline, brief), keeping the main statements on a line and indicating subordinate proofs and explanations by leaving a small space to the left (indenting). Sum up the contents of a composition in a short paragraph (summary). The summary differs from titles and headings in consisting of complete sentences which read continuously. A summary may reduce the original proportionately, as when five pages are so reduced that each page occupies one fifth of the condensed statement. This mathematical proportion may be modified when the importance of certain ideas or when the author's purpose demands that some parts be less condensed than others. The work of analyzing consists of the four operations: synopsizing, subordinating, grouping, and ordering. The terms, analysis, synopsis, outline, brief, are used in different senses by writers. Here analysis is taken as the most general term. Outline and brief are not here distinguished. They include synopsis and usually some subordination. Tabular analysis or classification adds to the outline a grouping by divisions. Ordering or arrangement of the thoughts in their proper succession is found in all kinds of analysis. The different processes of analysis may be illustrated from the following paragraph: But let us look at the matter from another point. What does kindness do for those to whom we show it? We have looked at its office on a grand scale in the whole world: let us narrow our field of observation, and see what it does for those who are its immediate objects. What we note first as of great consequence, is the immense power of kindness in bringing out the good points of the character of others. Almost all men have more goodness in them than the ordinary intercourse of the world enables us to discover. Indeed, most men, we may be sure, from glimpses we now and then obtain, carry with them to the grave much undeveloped nobility. Life is seldom so varied or so adventurous as to enable a man to unfold all that is in him. A creature who has capabilities in him to live forever can hardly have room in three score years to do more than give specimens of what he might be and will be. But, besides this, who has not seen how disagreeable and faulty characters will expand under kindness? Generosity springs up, fresh and vigorous, from under a superincumbent load of meanness. Modesty suddenly discloses itself from some safe cavern where it has survived years of sin. Virtues come to life, and in their infantine robustness strangle habits which a score of years has been spent in forming. It is wonderful what capabilities grace can find in the most unpromising character. It is a thing to be much pondered. Duly reflected on, it might alter our view of the world altogether. But kindness does not reveal these things to us external spectators only. It reveals a man to himself. It rouses the long dormant self-respect, with which grace will speedily ally itself and purify it by its alliance. Neither does it content itself with making a revelation. It develops as well as reveals. It gives these newly-disclosed capabilities of virtue, vigor and animation. It presents them with occasions. It even trains and tutors them. It causes the first actions of the recovering soul to be actions on high principles and from generous motives. It shields and defends moral convalescence from the dangers which beset it. A kind act has picked up many a fallen man, who has afterward slain his tens of thousands for his Lord, and has entered the Heavenly City at last as a conqueror, amidst the acclamation of the saints and with the welcome of his Sovereign. -FABER: Conferences. Titles: Kindness, Powers of Kindness; Kindness, the Revealer. Headlines: Character, Revealed by Kindness; Unknown Virtues Disclosed and Developed; Author Explains Efficacy of Kindness; The Latest Open Sesame, an Aladdin of the Soul. Paragraph topic: Kindness has immense power in bringing out the character of others. Outline or brief: 1. Another point; effects of kindness on its objects. 2. Kindness discovers characters to us, a. Revealing their nobility. b. Expanding faulty characters. 3. Kindness reveals a man to himself. Summary: The effects of kindness on others should be noted. Kindness unfolds the noble character of an immortal soul and gives to many hidden virtues of faulty characters an opportunity to expand. Our kindness reveals a man to himself also, strengthens him, and insures his eternal success. EXERCISE 33 1. Comment on the title and headlines of this book. 2. Furnish titles for passages of prose or poetry quoted in this book. 3. Furnish headlines or paragraph headings for these passages. 4. Give striking headlines for a play of Shakespeare or a story of Dickens, etc. 5. Outline in brief any paragraph or longer passage quoted in this book. 6. Write a topical outline of a poem, giving one phrase or sentence to each stanza. 7. Write topical outlines of your school courses or parts of them. 8. Summarize any passage quoted in this book. 9. Summarize a book in preparation for a criticism of it. 10. Write a summary of a man's life to insert in a speech. 11. Sum up the life of some character of history or fiction for ref erence. 12. Put a history lesson or other lesson in a night letter. 13. Telegraph the story of a Shakespeare play, as if reporting a real occurrence. Be brief but not disconnected. II. Tabular Analysis 65. When grouping the thoughts of a composition under headings (division), put what is common to two or more ideas outside the brackets (class) and put the differing ideas, the members of the class, inside the brackets (species, individuals). Indenting may be used in place of brackets. Make the headings as brief as possible and have all parallel headings of the same form. The main headings should be few; in the last subdivisions the headings may be more numerous. Choose such a class as will group the matter about equally under the headings. Follow the author's grouping wherever he indicates one. For this purpose watch the beginning of paragraphs and elsewhere for transitions and summaries. When classifying separated things, as books, animals, flowers, etc., you may shift the individuals about until they are properly grouped under the headings selected; in classifying the thoughts of a composition, it will be better to choose a heading which will leave the thoughts in the order in which they come. The following is a tabular analysis of Faber's paragraph given in the preceding section. Dictionaries, encyclopedias, and books treating of botany, zoology, and other sciences give examples of tabular analysis for scientific classification. Note also tables of contents in textbooks. See the Analytical Index of this book. |