Again and again pupils dolefully complain that they have nothing to write about, not realizing that this is as absurd a statement as that they can find nothing to talk about at home. They do not remember that their world is full of subjects. Two boys have given the following suggestions about finding something on which to write:

1. In going to and from school I try to observe carefully every little thing I see. When I get home at night, I sum up what I have seen through the day and write it. If I am reading some book, I express my opinion on it. I think boys living in the country have an equal chance with the boys who live in the city, as they see more things which God created; for instance, the woods, birds, and animals.

2. I think that if a person keeps his eyes wide open and listens to all he hears, he is very sure of finding at least one subject to write about each day. For instance, Monday I saw a cab in a predicament; Tuesday I saw a train blocked by snow; Wednesday I wrote about my reading; Thursday I saw a freight car put on the track; Friday I saw a boy fall and hurt himself; Saturday I saw a woman have a narrow escape from being run over. It is like that. I come to school on a train and watch all around for incidents. Sometimes I ride home on the electric cars and have a good opportunity to see things. Everybody has time and must use it in some way.

If nothing of interest happens on your way to or from school, remember that you are always at liberty to write a secretary's report of a recitation. Remember, too, that the number of enjoyable books is legion - books on which you may write freely and fully, noting details that you like, judging the work as a whole, and making such comparisons and contrasts as naturally occur to you. In handling such materials be sure that you give your honest opinions with absolute frankness.

As for what goes on about you, whether the thoughts suggested by the call of a street hawker, or by the sound of a hurdy-gurdy under the window, are interesting or not, nobody else will have the same thoughts. Your themes are to be a record of your experiences, your impressions, your opinions.