First Edition, printed December, 1908 Reprinted September, 1909; May, 1910; August, 1910; 30 VIMU COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY SCHWARTZ, KIRWIN & FAUSS Entered at Stationers' Hall J. J. Little & Ives Co. PREFACE As the end of this work is to lay the foundations of success in English Composition, its purpose is expressed fairly well by its very title, "Fundamental English." This purpose and the method to be followed in attaining it are explained at length in the Preface to the "Teachers' Handbook" which is intended to accompany the present volume, and which will be issued to teachers only. Here, it is perhaps enough to say that we will attempt to attain our object by proposing a systematic course in sentence-building, a sane method of reproduction, and a simple scheme for teaching original composition. We realize that sentence-building should not be begun before sentence-analysis has been studied. Accordingly, we have prefaced the exercises in sentence-building with a simple explanation of analysis, as well as with numerous examples of the various kinds of sentences required for its study. The selections to be used in reproduction, and an explanation of their use, appear in the "Teachers' Handbook," while in the Fourth Part of the present volume are given synopses of these selections, intended for the use of pupils. The scheme for original composition, together with selections necessary for it, will be found in the Second Part of the "Teachers' Handbook." 3 405122 At the suggestion of several teachers we have inserted as an appendix to this, the pupils' book, a collection of what we consider the essential rules of Syntax, our object being to make it possible to eliminate any formal work on grammar in classes where "Fundamental English" is used. “Fundamental English" is not an experiment. In its manuscript form it has been used in the class-room, and has been found practical. With the exception of the Second Part of the "Teachers' Handbook" (which is from the notes of a Jesuit Father, and which is something new in this line), the work lays no claim to originality; if it has any merit, it is only this-it is systematic. The author wishes to acknowledge the help he has received in the preparation of "Fundamental English" from many among his Jesuit fellow-teachers. He is also indebted for assistance to many among his pupils, both past and present, notably to Mr. William L. Reenan, A.B., Mr. John L. Bunker, A.B., Mr. Charles E. Kiely, A.B., and Mr. Charles O. Bridwell, A.B. ST. XAVIER COLLEGE, CINCINNATI, OHIO, Sept. 8, 1908. JOHN P. MCNICHOLS, S.J |