Oxford University Press London Edinburgh Glasgow Copenhagen New York Toronto Melbourne Capetown Bombay Calcutta Madras Shanghai Humphrey Milford Publisher to the UNIVERSITY ENGLISH IV. OF CALIFORNIA BY H. A. TREBLE, M.A. AND G. H. VALLINS, B.A. PART IV STYLE IN COMPOSITION OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS 1927 NOTE In the first three books of the series an attempt was made to lay the foundations of English grammar and composition; this fourth book, which is prepared especially for use in senior forms, is, in the main, a book of practice in thought and expression. The text, as far as it concerns the elements of English, has been kept as concise and logically succinct as possible; and on such themes as are new to this year's work it has become rather a running commentary than a detailed treatment of fact or theory. It is clear, therefore, that the book leaves behind the necessary dogmatism of the earlier parts for constructive suggestion by means of question and exercise. One or two things are to be noted especially. In the treatment of the essay use has sometimes been made of the ordinary journalistic article for illustration and example. The gulf between the highest attainments of the fifth form intellect and the true literary essay is too great to be bridged except by some humble and familiar means; and the journal may legitimately supply a model of thought and expression, if not of actual style. As the exercises on appreciation and criticism involve considerable general reading, definite reference has been made, where possible, to two standard anthologies in the World's Classics, and a short bibliography is given at the head of the chapter. The exercises have been designed primarily to influence both the taste of the student in reading and his style in writing. It may be that, apart from their immediate purpose, they will also suggest a way of approach to literature. |