In order that we may include everything that belongs in a paragraph - and nothing else - it is wise to have in mind, if not on paper, an outline of the details. In a straightforward account of a single happening this is usually a simple matter. When, however, we have a considerable choice of details, the making of the outline needs more attention.

Exercises

57. Make an outline of the two following paragraphs, written by pupils:

A Short Cut

One day while I was watching a fire from the top of a high bank, a little fellow near me proposed to several of his companions that they take a short cut to the fire by running down the bank. They all seemed willing, and they started with a long jump. The moment the leader landed in the soft sand he tripped and fell headlong. The others, who were close behind him, repeated the performance with the same result. It was amusing to see them roll over one another in the dirt and stones all the way down, but somehow they landed on their feet and ran on to the fire.

A Young Protector

One day while I was riding in an electric car, a man got in with a little child. He placed him on the seat opposite me and went out on the platform. The child sat there a few minutes with a troubled look on his face, and then called out, "Papa!" Looking out of the window, he noticed the father standing there and seemed satisfied for a while. Soon, however, a new thought came into his mind, and, looking anxiously toward his father, he said, "Papa, is 'ou falling?" The father shook his head. But the little one was not quite contented and called out again, "Ain't 'ou, ain't 'ou falling, papa ?" Again the father shook his head. By this time everybody in the car was inter-ested. Soon reaching his destination, the father lifted the child out, and the little fellow, happy now, trudged down the street grasping his father's hand.

58. In studying the following paragraph, written by a pupil, answer these questions:

1. What is the writer's one purpose ?

2. Does the choice of details serve his purpose ?

3. What is his plan ?

An Old Friend

I saw an old friend this morning - that is, if a locomotive may be called an old friend. I first saw the locomotive last spring at the Braintree freight yards. There were two of these engines, Nos. 431 and 432, belonging to a class called Moguls. They had just been completed at Schenectady, New York, and at that time one of them brought a long string of freight cars from Taunton to South Braintree every day. As the largest engines on the division, they attracted considerable attention. They were very high and had to have short headlights and smokestacks, which gave them a squatty, unnatural appearance. Each had six-foot driving wheels, three on a side. These, together with their enormous boilers, enabled them to draw a large number of cars. When necessary, they could go about sixty miles an hour. I was much interested in them, but they were taken off the division after a few weeks' service. To-day as I saw this large engine approaching, I was quite sure I had seen it before, and as it drew nearer my conviction proved correct, for I soon made out the number 431 on the front of the boiler.

59. (1) Make a list of the reasons why you like your school life. (2) Write a paragraph based on this list of reasons.

60. Exchange papers and, as examiner, answer these questions in writing:

1. Is the form satisfactory? (Consider neatness, margins, heading, indentation).

2. Is the composition interesting?

3. Is it adequate ?

4. What is the plan of it ?

61. In a similar way write a paragraph on one of the subjects chosen in Exercise 15, page 16.

62. As critic of your own paper, answer the questions in Exercise 58.

63. Write a paragraph on one of the subjects chosen in Exercise 16, page 16.

64. Write a paragraph on one of these subjects:

1. The reasons why I came to this school.

2. The reasons why some parents are particular to have their sons and daughters keep early hours.

3. The reasons why I dislike my school life.

4. The reasons why a girl likes to cook.

65. (1) Name ten things that you have done within the last twenty-four hours. (2) Write a paragraph telling how you did one of these things.