73. Explain in a paragraph the meaning of x as used in algebra. Criticize in class the unity of your paragraph. 58.)

(See Ex.

28. Paragraph Topics. We have learned that in preparing a theme it is often helpful to make a list of topics. Sometimes it will be best to devote a paragraph to each topic. If, for example, we are to give a brief account of the first appearance of Gurth and Wamba in "Ivanhoe," we shall not wish to crowd all we have to say into a single paragraph, but shall prefer to give a separate paragraph to each of these topics:

1. The setting.

2. The dress.

3. The conversation.

Each of the three groups of details will mark one stage of the narrative. This is true of "In the Mountains "; and in both these instances, as in "A Short Cut," "A Young Protector," "An Old Friend," "Baby's First Shoes," each paragraph contains the details which illustrate one point.

EXERCISES

74. Write paragraph topics for themes on any five of the following subjects:

a. The Tournament, Locksley's Shooting before Prince John, The Knight and the Friar, Cedric and Athelstane, At John's Banquet, The Storming of the Castle, The Trial of Rebecca at Templestowe. [Scott's "Ivanhoe."]

b. The Bohemians, A Medieval Castle, Louis the Eleventh and Charles of Burgundy, Quentin Durward's Adventures in Liège. [Scott's "Quentin Durward."]

c. Long John's Cleverness, The Luck of Jim Hawkins, the Black Spot, The Death of Israel Hands, A Real Pirate, Jim's Capture of the Hispaniola. [Stevenson's "Treasure Island.”]

d. The Coming of a Great Snowstorm, A Winter Evening in a New England Farmhouse. [Whittier's "Snow-Bound.”]

e. A Colonial Soldier, A Council of War, Miles Standish and Wattauamat, Miles Standish and John Alden. [Longfellow's "Courtship of Miles Standish."]

f. A Thunderstorm on the Prairie, A Buffalo Herd, A Frontier Trading Post. [Parkman's "Oregon Trail."]

75. In class, without reference to book or paper, write on one of the preceding subjects.

76. Explain the construction of something you have made, of paper, cloth, pasteboard, wood, iron, or steel.

Before beginning to write, consider the steps involved in the process, and in writing give each step the consideration it de

serves.

77. Write a letter to a friend, giving a new receipt for making candy or cake of some kind. (See suggestions as to the form of your letter in Chap. VIII.)

29. The Topic Sentence. In section 25, the words in italics practically give in a sentence the main thought of the paragraph from "The Sketch-Book." Such a sentence is often called a topic sentence; it frequently appears in the paragraph― sometimes at the beginning, sometimes near the middle, sometimes at the end. It always helps a writer to secure unity if he has a topic sentence before him as he writes, and in many cases he will wish to make it the opening sentence of the paragraph.

EXERCISES

78. Can you find topic sentences in the following paragraphs? If not, make lists of the subjects discussed, and in a carefully worded sentence write the main thought of each paragraph.

You are, I think, too fond of reading as it is. As one means of avoiding excess in this way, I would wish you to make it a rule never to read at mealtimes, nor in company when there is any (even the most trivial) conversation going on, nor even to let your eagerness to learn encroach upon your play hours. Books are but one inlet of knowledge; and the pores of the mind, like those of the body, should be left open to all impressions. I applied too close to my studies, soon after I was of your age, and hurt myself irreparably by it. Whatever may be the value of learning, health and good spirits are of more.

As to the books you will have to read by choice or for amusement, the best are the commonest. The names of many of them are already familiar to you. Read them as you grow up with all the satisfaction in your power, and make much of them. It is perhaps the greatest pleasure you will have in life, the one you will think of longest, and repent of least. If my life had been more full of calamity than it has been (much more than I hope yours will be), I would live it over again, my poor little boy, to have read the books I did in my youth.

HAZLITT, "On the Conduct of Life."

79. Prepare a one-minute talk on a subject suggested by one of these topic sentences. Make use of a topical outline.

I. As a part of our last lesson in English we read the first chapter of "Quentin Durward.”

2. In history we are studying about Hannibal.

3. On my way to school this morning, I saw a peculiar street-car accident.

4. The elm in front of our house presents many interesting changes according to the season of the year.

5. Good penmanship is a part of good manners.

6. Letter writing is a practical art which we should all master.

80. Write the substance of your talk, beginning each paragraph with a topic sentence.

81. Exchange the themes just written and underscore the topic sentences.

82. Make plans of two themes suggested by the following topic sentences:

1. Once upon a time a wolf met a lamb.

2. "Ivanhoe" is much more interesting than "Silas Marner” because it contains more action.

3. "The Angelus" [or some other picture] is a picture that will repay careful study.

4. The story of "The Lady of the Lake" [or some other work] may be briefly told as follows.

5. The other morning I saw two sparrows attack a small gray bird. 6. The most exciting event of my life was of very short duration.

83. Write the theme outlined in one of your two plans, and give your topic sentence, or sentences.

84. Write a paragraph explaining why is your favorite outdoor game. First prepare a topic sentence and keep it before you as you write.

85. With the aid of a topic sentence, write a paragraph on a subject of your own choosing. If you wish, turn to the list prepared in Exercise 19.

Exchange papers and write in a single sentence what you consider the main thought of your classmate's paragraph.

86. Write a theme beginning with a sentence in which you name several traits that you like in one of your friends. Use as many paragraphs as the subject demands.

In class, write a criticism of your theme, using the suggestions in Exercise 60.

87. Make a list of all the good subjects (1) for one-minute talks, (2) for short themes, that are suggested by the following topic

sentences:

I. A gypsy camp is an interesting place to visit.

2. A printing office seems to have just one word for its motto, "Hurry!"

3. A robin is a friendly bird.

4. A crow is a suspicious sort of fellow; he seems to have a bad conscience.

5. A house aquarium is an endless source of amusement and instruction.

6. Lorna Doone is a heroine, even though she does not do many heroic things.

7. A milkman sees the world from an unusual point of view.

88. Prepare a plan of a talk on a subject taken from your list; be ready to talk on the subject just chosen.

89. Prepare a plan of a theme on a subject taken from the list called for in Exercise 13.

Write a theme based on this plan.

90. Find or write a topic sentence for each paragraph of an editorial in your school paper or in a newspaper.

91. Define a paragraph (see sect. 23), and show that unless the paragraph has unity (see sect. 25) there can be no real topic sentence (see sect. 29).

92. Be ready to talk for two minutes on "The Paragraph," using some such plan as the following:

1. Definition. (See sects. 16, 23.)

2. Length. (See sect. 24.)

3. Unity. (See sect. 25.)

4. Topic sentence. (See sect. 29.)