Text copyrighted in 1880 and 1894. Author credited with a Master of Arts, a Ph.D, as the President of Delaware College, Newark, Delaware, and as the author of several texts. Preface states the text uses an inductive process, teaching first the idea, then the name, and lastly the definition, followed by its application. Only the simplest and most necessary principles are discussed and illustrated. Includes the author's system of diagramming, or written analysis. Preface are recommends object lessons combined with systematic culture in language. The text also contain pictorial illustrations. The Schultz Archive includes roughly the first 83 pages.
1894 printing of 1887 copyrighted text. The author is credited as Late Teacher of Composition in the State Normal School, Albany, NY. A grammar and composition text. It aims to provide practical training for students whose education ends with common or grammar school, as well as those who go on for further study. Each lesson aims to be a language lesson. Encourages students to cultivate their powers of observation. Connects language to the expression of thought. Selections from the best writers are used to encourage a taste for good literature, to awaken a love of nature, or to deepen a moral impression. Lessons lay out tasks for completion. Incorrect forms for correction are not used. The text also covers letter writing and business forms. Includes pictorial illustrations. The lessons are a mix of grammar, punctuation, and composition. The Schultz Archive copy is roughly the complete text.
1894 printing of the 1893 copyrighted text. The author is credited as Professor of Rhetoric in Amherst College and as the author of two other texts on rhetoric. The preface explains that the book is meant to provide the necessary rhetorical theory and to accompany every step with critical and constructive written exercises in a progressive and systematic order. The theory is given as a list of rules, each accompanied by a paragraph of explanation and illustrative examples (the rules are positive expressions of principle rather than a series of don'ts). The exercises are novel according to the author and are based in groups of rules rather than individual ones, and they include compositions (on familiar topics) to be rewritten and sentences to be amended in a creative, problem-solving manner rather than corrective. The appendix has a digest of rules and a glossary of words and forms. The book is organized into two parts. Part One is Mastery of Materials and includes chapters on choice of words, phraseology, and special objects in style. Part Two is Organization of Materials and includes chapters on the sentence, the paragraph, and the whole composition. The Schultz Archive copy is roughly the complete text.