1838 printing of 1838 copyrighted text. This text on composition is for those who have already gained a knowledge of English grammar, particularly those in academies and elementary schools. Text states composition is rarely taught and teachers themselves are not required to compose well. It also claims students are often given subjects to write on which they know nothing about and that they think they must strive for originality. Real occasions of life after school or subjects drawn from the students' studies should be used. It is recommended that students be assigned a composition every week to be corrected by the teacher. Written as a catechism. Covers history of writing, beauty, taste, kinds of style (perspicuity, unity, harmony, strength, etc.) figurative language, and kinds of composition (letters, essays, orations, poetry, etc.). The Schultz Archive copy is roughly the complete 129 page text.
1891 printing of 1891 copyrighted text. The author is credited with a Master of Arts and as Superintendent Public Schools, Providence, R.I. A collection of 343 lessons structured to develop language and grammar skills simultaneously for pupils of the higher grammar grades. Text considers the pupils needs first then that of the teacher followed, lastly, by the needs of the subject. Covers grammar as the science of the sentence and the elements of composition as the art of writing. The grammar part covers includes analysis and punctuation. The composition part covers the forms of epistolary, social, business, and parliamentary writing; it also provides for practice in writing through exercises in the selection and arrangement of words, in description, narration, reproduction, paraphrase, and essay-writing. The Schultz Archive copy is roughly the complete 299 page text.
1900 printing of 1900 Canadian copyrighted text. The author is credited with a MA and a PhD. A school composition book that features verses for memorization and short themes that lead to a mix of lessons and exercises in discussing, correcting, and reproducing text. Sections cover kinds of narration (household tales, fables, biblical stories, classical myths, stories from ancient history, medieval stories, modern history stories, incidents); letter forms (business, social); description (plants, animals, buildings, landscapes, nature phenomena, persons, games); description and narration (the short story); exposition (how things are made, machines, definition of terms); and argument (pure argument, persuasion) Some pictorial illustrations included. The Schultz Archive is roughly the complete 222 page text.
A manual aimed at teaching language through objective methods of practice and habit rather than rules and definitions.[return]Excerpt only includes preface and "miscellaneous exercises in composition"
1914 printing of 1886 copyrighted text. Published by the American Schools for the Deaf, Hartford, Conn. Volume three in a series by the author. The text follows a plan that introduces one difficulty at a time and to teach much rather than many things. This collection of lessons featuring pictorial illustrations, story analysis, and sentence diagrams. Lessons include review questions. The Schultz Archive copy is roughly the complete 120 page text.
1889 copyrighted text. Strang is credited with a Bachelor of Arts degree. A collection of exercises based around vocabulary, language, and sentence structure. Exercises directions include: substitute words for phrases, change clauses, substitute equivalent expressions, expand simple sentences to complex, write compound and complex sentences, combine groups into sentences, break up sentences into groups, transpose into prose order, change from direct to indirect, paraphrase prose passages, and contract passages. The Schultz Archive is roughly the complete 90 page text.
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.
1906 printing of 1905 copyrighted text. The author is credited with a Bachelor of Arts, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, and as the author of a book on elementary composition and a language speller. Author's note states the book is based on material from the author's years of teaching. It's distinctive approach includes: gradual increase in skill, establishment of good habits, repeated applications, careful grouping of subjects, a standpoint of a fellow-worker, encouraging self-reliance, and opportunities to complete pieces of literature. Also includes five sections of "Answers to Pupils' Inquiries." Chapters cover qualities of style, punctuation, points of view, kinds of sentences, figures of speech, descriptive writing, metaphorical stories, narration, poetry, exposition, argumentation, and the structuring of compositions. Includes an appendix on English and Library Work. The Schultz Archive copy includes the author's note, TOC, the first page of the introduction, and pages 54 – 67, 94 – 99, 138 – 175, 214 – 259.
