III. Correction Exercise When you have exchanged letters for correction, look particularly for errors in form in your classmate's letter. Why is form especially important in a business letter? XIII. ORIGINAL COMPOSITION Kindness to Animals Hunting with a Bleat I drew near to a group of rangers and found they were discussing the merits of a stratagem sometimes used in deer hunting. This consists in imitating, with a small instrument called a bleat, the cry of the fawn, so as to lure the doe within reach of the rifle. There are bleats of various kinds, suited to calm or windy weather, and to the age of the fawn. The poor animal, deluded by them in its anxiety about its young, will sometimes advance close up to the hunter. "I once bleated a doe," said a young hunter, "until it came within twenty yards of me, and presented a sure mark. I levelled my rifle three times, but had not the heart to shoot, for the poor doe looked so wistfully, that it in a manner made my heart yearn. I thought of my own mother, and how anxious she used to be about me when I was a child; so, to put an end to the matter, I gave a halloo, and started the doe out of rifleshot in a moment." "And you did right," cried honest old Ryan. "For my part, I never could bring myself to bleating deer. I've been with hunters who had bleats, and have made them throw them away. It is a rascally trick to take advantage of a mother's love for her young." From A Tour on the Prairies. I. Oral Composition WASHINGTON IRVING. Give the meaning of-rangers; stratagem; lure; fawn; doe; deluded; wistfully; yearn. Give another expression for-presented a sure mark; levelled my rifle. Give the substance of each paragraph. What was the character of the young hunter? Of Ryan? What lesson does Irving teach in this story? Do you like the story? Why? Have you ever shown kindness to any animal or seen it shown by others? Following this outline, tell what took place: 1. Introduction. Time; place. 2. The incident. (a) Actions of persons. 3. The lesson. II. Written Composition Write your story. Try to tell it with the same feeling with which Irving told his story. Select an attractive title. How many times should you read over your composition? State the purpose of each reading. III. Correction Exercise Remember in your criticism of your classmates' work to take note of the good parts as well as the poor ones. XIV. ORIGINAL COMPOSITION A Scene Singing Leaves This crystal-clear, cold January day, with the mercury almost at zero, I found the robins on the south hillside, and seldom have they shown to better advantage. One was perched in a sapling beech to which the leaves still clung. It chirped at times so that its companions could hear it, and was answered by them, as well as by the nuthatches, a tree creeper, some sparrows, and a winter wren. It was a cozy, warm spot, wherein these birds had gathered, which, strangely enough, was filled with music even when every bird was mute. This robin was half concealed among the crisp beech leaves, and these not the birds about them-were singing. The breeze caused them to tremble violently, and their thin edges were as harp strings, the wiry sound produced being smoothed by the crisp rattling caused by the leaves' rapid contact with each other. It was much like the click of butterflies' wings, but greatly exaggerated. A simple sound, but a sweet, wholesome one that made me think less of the winter's rigor and recalled the recent warm autumnal days. They were singing leaves, and the robin watched them closely as he stood near by, and chirped at times, as if to encourage them. Altogether it made a pretty picture, one of those that human skill has not yet transferred to a printed page; and our winter is full of just such beauty. From Bird-land Echoes. I. Oral Composition CHARLES C. ABBOTT. Give the substance of each paragraph. Which one do you like best? Why? Explain how the singing was caused. Point out the words and the expressions that make this description a word picture. Give other expressions for-shown to better advantage; wiry sound; half concealed; trembled violently; smoothed by the crisp rattling; rapid contact; greatly exaggerated; winter's rigor. What expressions have two or more words which begin with the same letter? In what way does the placing close to one another of several words which have the same initial letter, add to the beauty of the passage? Give the description of "Singing Leaves," using as many of the expressions as you can remember. Mention some things in nature you have enjoyed. SUGGESTIONS: Tapping of the Woodpecker; The Sighing Sea; My Favorite Walk; The Angry Waves; The Cricket's Note; Fireflies at Night. Describe the thing that has impressed you most. 1. The trip. Time; place. 2. Observations. Things seen; heard. 3. Conclusion. II. Written Composition Write your composition. Select an attractive title. Why does this play an important part in a description? III. Correction Exercise In criticizing the work of a classmate, be sure to give him something in place of that with which you find fault. Remember that he writes what he thinks is best. XV. ORIGINAL COMPOSITION A Mistake A Fine Set of Poles I was hoeing my corn this morning for the first time— it is not well usually to hoe corn until about the 18th of May-when Polly came out to look at the Lima beans. |