We shall find it helpful in writing descriptions to keep in mind the following directions, based on what we have seen to be desirable in a good description.

1. We must indicate clearly our point of view. If it changes, we must notify the reader.

2. We should choose significant details and have a definite plan in presenting these details.

3. We should try to make the reader see what we see or feel as we feel.

4. We should be fully alive as we write - ready to use any of the senses, and even more alert to secure the closest attention than we should be in telling a story.

Exercises

557. Write on one of the following:

1. Indicate what a man who has no sense of smell cannot appreciate as he walks through the woods in spring.

2. (a) Write out fully what a man with only one sense - hearing - might easily get from a five minutes' walk in the woods. Choose whichever season you prefer. (b) Point out what, in addition, a watchful eye may discover under these circumstances.

3. Imagining that you have only two senses, - hearing and touch,

- describe (a) a walk in the woods or in a village or city, or (b) a meeting with a pet animal, say a dog.

4. In writing a brief account of the catching of a fish, take advantage of all the opportunities you may have to make use of sound, smell, and touch. See that your description is lively.

5. In describing the broiling and serving of a fish, give especial attention to smell and taste.

558. Write on a subject in connection with which you can advantageously use the five senses. Consider from this point of view the following:

My Pet Dog.

An Hour's Swimming.

The Taste and Touch of the Air. In a Gymnasium. A Rain Storm. Making Candy. A Day's Sailing.

Climbing Mount ----- .

Coasting. A Clam Bake. Playing the Piano. A Football Game. A Fire in the Woods. A Snowball Fight. Skating in the Morning.

559. Give an oral description of the appearance of some character in a story. Make your picture as lifelike as possible, and do not hesitate to reproduce the language of the book.

560. Write a description of one of the following: (1) a typical farmyard scene; (2) a rare coin; (3) an artistic postage stamp; (4) a typical evening in your home, or an ideal evening; (5) an entertainment you have attended recently.

561. (1) Describe some small boys at play. (2) Criticize in writing under the heads of (a) point of view, (b) life, the description written by one of your classmates.

562. Write the description suggested by any one of the following:

1. He was a comely, handsome fellow, perfectly well made, with straight strong limbs, not too large; tall and well-shaped, and, as I reckon, about twenty-six years of age . . . countenance . . . smile . . . hair . . . forehead . . . eyes.

2. By this time the sun had gone down, and was tinting the clouds towards the zenith with those bright hues which are not seen there until some time after sunset, when the horizon has quite lost its richer brilliancy. The moon . . . the old house . . . the garden. . . .

3. About a quarter of an hour before the second ringing of the bell, members of the congregation begin to appear.

4. I built a cottage for Susan and myself, and made a gateway in the form of a Gothic arch, by setting up a whale's jawbones . . . heifer . . . garden . . . parlor.

5. The fog had now lifted, so that I could form a better idea of the lay of the land.

6. After nightfall we went out and walked up and down the grass-grown streets.

7. The Baltimore oriole loves to attach its nest to the swaying branches of the tallest elms.

8. At length the shadows began to lengthen, the wind . . . calm . . . the sun . . . Sabbath stillness . . . valley . . . the farmer . . . the ox . . . the school urchin. . . .

9. He was meanly dressed.

10. The town appeared to be waking up. A baker's cart had already rattled through the street, chasing away the latest vestige of night's sanctity with the jingle-jangle of its dissonant bells. A milkman. . . .

568. Choose one of the following for a short theme:

1. Describe the view from a window. If you like, you may read Irving's account of a view from a window in "Christmas Day" (in "The Sketch-Book"). See the third paragraph, beginning, "Everything conspired," etc. Is the plan clear ? Note the force of the active verbs.

2. Describe the house in which you live so that a stranger will get a clear picture. Be careful about your point of view.

3. Describe a cottage sheltered by a large elm.

564. In writing a criticism of a description written by one of your classmates, answer these questions:

1. Does the writer indicate clearly his point of view?

2. Has he chosen significant details?

3. Has he a definite plan in presenting the details?

4. What words are particularly well chosen? Why?

565. Make a list of twenty things that you have seen on your way to school and be prepared to speak on one of them or on something suggested by the following subjects:

1. Clouds on a Windy Day.

2. A Shop Window.

3. A Pretty Dress.

4. The First Snowfall.

5. Our Back Yard.

6. A Day in June.

7. Twenty Miles of View.

8. A Gentleman Tramp.

9. Our Garden in a January Thaw. 10. A Fog.

11. The Actual Appearance of a Hero.

12. A Typical Farmer.

13. An Artistic Wastebasket.

14. A Beautiful Chair.

15. A Brook.

16. An Attractive Factory.

17. A Mill.

18. A Mountain.

19. A Storm.

20. Early Morning.