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DAVID J. HILL, LL. D.

PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER, AND AUTHOR OF HILL'S
RHETORICAL SERIES AND THE ELEMENTS OF PSYCHOLOGY

NEW EDITION

SHELDON & COMPANY

NEW YORK AND CHICAGO

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Nov 17 1011

PREFACE.

It is the purpose of this book to make good writers. The extensive and constantly increasing use of the work as a text-book demonstrates the confidence of teachers in the method which is its distinguishing feature. Based upon the educational maxim, "Learn by doing," it applies the principle fruitfully by aiding the learner in doing the right thing at the right time. Teaching by practice is successful only when the learner is interested in his work. When he feels that his efforts are rewarded and that he needs more theory to improve his practice, his powers are fully awakened to action.

It is taken for granted that those who will use this book can both read and write simple English sentences. For such students, the mere making of sentences is an unprofitable exercise. What they especially need is direction in concentrating the mind upon the work of composing. The only way to acquire skill in writing is by actual practice in the various processes of the art. Accordingly, learners should first be assisted in finding a subject of thought, and then be shown how to accumulate, arrange, and express the ideas connected with the theme. This view has given shape to the treatment of composition in this book. The learner is conducted, step by step, through the entire work of writing a composition, includ

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