1892 printing of 1887 copyrighted text. The author is credited as Instructor of English in Cornell University. The text addresses the problems with the field's focus on philology and the quality of instruction in writing in the English language. The text argues students need a grounding in the inflections of English, should be taught English style, and should be constantly and rigorously drilled in composition. The Schultz Archive's copy is roughly the complete 28 page text, with additional advertisements.
1896 printing of 1896 copyrighted text. Author is credited as Teacher of English in Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY. The book is a collection of speeches presented at the Brooklyn Teachers' Association on the subject of elementary composition. Chapter 1, A Word to the Reader, states the author believes composition may include speaking as well as writing and work by a community as well as work by individuals. It also voices concern about composition teaching that invents a barrier of formulas and conventionality. Chapters cover letter-writing, story-telling, word-collecting, descriptions, the simile and personification, elaboration of sentences into paragraphs, outlining compositions, criticism and other various topics. The Schultz Archive copy is roughly the complete 114 page text.