CHAPTER XVII.

THE WHOLE COMPOSITION.

122. The Relation of the Whole Composition to its Parts. In Part III. we have traced the several units of composition from the smaller to the larger, and have considered them with reference to their literary bearing. We have found that they are parts of a system, and are governed by the same rhetorical principles applied under the different conditions that their relations demand, The principles that govern a well-constructed sentence are but the principles that govern a paragraph. It is but a step farther to realize that these principles are equally applicable to the larger unit, the whole composition, whether it is a single paragraph, or because of more extended treatment is divided into several paragraphs. The end sought in every case is to make our writing clear, forcible, and elegant, and we must be as careful of the whole as of the constituent parts.

123. The Plan. From the fact that most subjects. require more extended consideration than can be given in one paragraph, it is usually impossible for the subject matter to shape itself in logical order as it comes to the mind. Such subjects have distinct organic divisions of thought which are indicated by paragraph

divisions. These thought divisions are not a mere aggregation of parts, but are mutually related and dependent, thereby forming an organized whole. They must, consequently, be considered in logical order with due subordination and proportion of parts. This is exactly what we found to be true in the case of the paragraph, but from the greater length of the whole composition it can be done effectively only by having a well-formed plan of work. We have already considered the outline as an aid to development; we here emphasize the importance of an orderly arrangement of parts in effecting a good style. Without it our writing will lack those literary qualities that we seek to acquire. Occasionally an author may write in a methodical way, and arrange the order of his work as he goes along; but the majority of us must rely on some kind of plan, and each must find his own. Some kinds of discourse lend themselves to orderly arrangement much more easily than others. In narration, for instance, the plan will be simple. The arrangement of material merely follows the order of time. In description the order of objects in space will be followed; but in exposition and argument the writer must rely for his plan on his own sense of logical arrangement.

Some suggestions of what a simple have been made on pages 37 and 38. plans will be further suggestive :

plan should be

The following

Introduction.

THE BOOKS WE READ.

1. General fondness for reading.

(a) We see things as they are.
(b) Impossible to read all books.

2. Question of choice governed by the following
considerations :

I. Why we read.

1. A mere pastime.

(a) A pleasant change from other things.

2. For general culture.

(a) For conversation.

(b) For information.
(c) For study.

II. What to read.

1. Books that afford amusement.

(a) Books that are interesting.

(b) Books that appeal to our feelings.

2. Books that are instructive.

(a) Books for study.

3. Fiction.

III. How to read.

1. With attention to substance and style.

(a) With the purpose of the book in view. (b) Fault of inattentive scanning.

2. With the idea of getting good ideas and food for thought.

(a) With pen in hand to take notes or to copy extracts.

IV. When to read.

1. When the mind is fresh.

2. In spare moments.

3. At regular times for study.

Conclusion.

The beneficial effects of reading good books.

IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCOMOTION.

Introduction.

1. General effects of improvements in locomotion in promoting civilization.

(a) By facilitating travel, thereby bringing people together, and breaking down national barriers.

(b) By aiding commerce.

I. Earliest forms of locomotion.

1. Foot-travel.

2. Horseback.

3. Comfort and pleasure.
(a) Time spent.

(6) Difficulties encountered.

II. The stage-coach.

1. When introduced.

2. Description.

(a) Capacity and seating.

(b) Outfit required.

3. Pleasant and unpleasant features.
4. Improvements over former methods.

III. The introduction of steam.

1. Railroads.

(a) First invention of locomotives.
(b) First railroads.

(c) Locomotives and cars of to-day.

(d) Speed attained.

(e) Comfort and pleasure of traveling in

creased.

2. Steam vessels.

(a) The first steamboat.

(b) Ocean steamers.

(c) Advantages over sailing-vessels.

(d) Distributers of the world's productions.

IV. Latest inventions for locomotion.

1. Cable roads.

2. Electric roads.

3. Automobiles.

Conclusion. The beneficial effects of all inventions for improving the methods of locomotion.

124. The Introduction. Whatever the plan of the work may be, a fundamental element of it is the introduction. Just what form it should take depends on the kind of discourse. It should not begin so far from the subject as to be vague. It should not be too long or in any way disproportionate to the rest of the work; but it should contain whatever is necessary to make a proper approach to the subject. It must attract and fix the reader's attention; it must put him in touch with the subject, and in more pretentious works it must, to some extent, disclose the method of treatment. In short compositions of one or two paragraphs a single sentence calling the reader's attention to the point of consideration is sufficient: Thus in a recent editorial article on "Outgrowing the Constitution" the writer introduces his subject with the following sentence: "The supposed advantage of a written constitution as a basis of free government is that it will have supremacy, stability, and permanence of authority." He then describes in turn the English constitution and the constitution of the United States, contrasting the workings of the two, and commenting to some extent on the latter. In a recent magazine article of greater length the writer introduces his subject, "The Simultaneous Newspapers of the Twentieth