2. The essential characteristics of a description are:—
a. A point of view,
(1) It may be fixed or changing.
(2) It may be expressed or implied.
(3) Only those details should be included that can be seen
from the point of view chosen.
b. A correct fundamental image.
c. A few characteristic and essential details
(1) Close observation on the part of the writer is necessary
in order to select the essential details.
d. A proper selection and subordination of minor details.
e. A suitable arrangement of details with reference to their
natural position in space.
f. That additional effectiveness which comes from
(1) Proper choice of words.
(2) Suitable comparisons and figures.
(3) Variety of sentence structures.
3. The foregoing principles of description apply in the describing of many classes of objects. A description of a person usually gives some indication of his character and so becomes to some extent a character sketch.
4. A description may also have for its purpose the giving of an
impression.
a. The writer must select details which will aid in conveying
the impression he desires his readers to receive.
b. The writer must observe his own impressions accurately,
because he cannot convey to others that which he has not
himself experienced.
c. The impression received is affected by the mood of the person.
d. Impression and image are never entirely separated.
IX. NARRATION
+141. Kinds of Narration.+—Narration consists of an account of happenings, and, for this reason, it is, without doubt, the most interesting of all forms of discourse. It is natural for us all to be interested in life, movement, action; hence we enjoy reading and talking about them. To be convinced that there is everywhere a great interest in narration we need only to listen to conversations, notice what constitutes the subject-matter of letters of friendship, read newspapers and magazines, and observe what classes of books are most frequently drawn from our libraries.
Narration assumes a variety of forms. Since it relates happenings, it must include anecdotes, incidents, short stories, letters, novels, dramas, histories, biographies, and stories of travel and exploration. It also includes many newspaper articles such as those that give accounts of accidents and games and reports of various kinds of meetings. Evidently the field of narration is a broad one, for wherever life or action may be found or imagined, a subject for a narrative exists.
EXERCISES
1. Name four different events that have actually taken place in your school in which you think your classmates are interested.
2. Name three events that have taken place in other schools that may be of interest to members of your school.
3. Name four events of general interest that have occurred in your city during the last two or three years.