Composition-Rhetoric Part 18

The last is a specific subject, while the other three are general subjects. Of these, the first includes more than the second; and the second, more than the third. A person with sufficient knowledge might write about any one of these general subjects, but it would be difficult to give such a subject adequate treatment in a short theme. Though a general subject may suggest more lines of thought, our knowledge about a specific subject is less vague, and consequently more usable. We really know more about the specific subject, and we have a greater interest in it. The subject, "A Family of Robins," indicates that the writer knows something interesting that he intends to tell. Such a subject compels expectant attention from the reader and aids in arousing an appreciative interest on his part.

On first thought, it would seem easier to write about a general subject than about a specific one, but this is not the case. A general subject presents so many lines of thought that the writer is confused, rather than aided, by the abundance of material. A skilled and experienced writer possessing a large fund of information may treat general subjects successfully, but for the beginner safety lies only in selecting definite subjects and in keeping within the limits prescribed. The "Women of Shakespeare" might be an interesting subject for a book by a Shakespearean scholar, but it is scarcely suitable for a high school pupil's theme.

+60. Narrowing the Subject.+--It is often necessary to narrow a subject in order to bring it within the range of the knowledge and interest of ourselves and of our readers. A description of the transportation of milk on the electric roads around Toledo would probably be more interesting than an essay on "Freight Transportation by Electricity," or on "Transportation." The purpose that the writer has in mind, and the length of the article he intends to write, will affect the selection of a subject. "Transportation" might be the subject of a book in which a chapter was given to each important subdivision of it; but it would be quite as difficult to treat such a subject in three hundred words as it would be to make use of three hundred pages for "The Transportation of Milk at Toledo."

A general subject may suggest many lines of thought. It is the task of the writer to select one about which he knows something or can learn something, in which both he and his readers are interested, or can become interested, and for which the time and s.p.a.ce at his disposal are adequate.

EXERCISES

_A._ Arrange the subjects in each of the following groups so that the most general ones shall come first:--

1. The intelligence of wild animals.

How a fox escaped from the hounds.

How animals escape destruction by their enemies.

Animals.

2. The benefits that arise from war.

The defeat of the Cimbri and Teutons by Marius.

War.

The value of military strength to the Romans.

3. Pleasure.

A summer outing in the Adirondacks.

Value of vacations.

Catching ba.s.s.

_B._ Narrow ten of the following subjects until the resulting subject may be treated in a single paragraph:--

1. Fishing.

2. Engines.

3. Literature.

4. Heroes of fiction.

5. Cooking.

6. Houses.

7. Games.

8. Basketball.

9. Cats.

10. Canaries.

11. Sympathy.

12. Sailboats.

13. Baseball.

14. Rivers.

15. Trees.

C. A general subject may suggest several narrower subjects, each of which would be of interest to a different cla.s.s of persons; for example--

General subject,--Education.

Specific subjects,-- 1. Methods of conducting recitations. (Teachers.) 2. School taxes. (Farmers.) 3. Ventilation of school buildings. (Architects.)

In a similar way, narrow each of the following subjects so that the resulting subjects will be of interest to two or more cla.s.ses of persons:--

Subjects Cla.s.ses 1. Vacations. 1. Farmers.

2. Mathematics. 2. High School Pupils.

3. Picnics. 3. Ministers.

4. Civil service. 4. Merchants.

5. Elections. 5. Sailors.

6. Botany. 6. Girls.

7. Fish. 7. Boys.

+Theme x.x.xII.+--_Write a paragraph about one of narrowed subjects._

(Does your paragraph have unity of thought? What methods of development have you used? Have you selected a subject which will be of interest to your readers?)

+61. Selecting a t.i.tle.+--The subject and the t.i.tle may be the same, but not necessarily so. The statement of the subject may require a sentence of considerable length, while a t.i.tle is best if short. In selecting this brief t.i.tle, it is well to get one which will attract the attention and arouse the curiosity of a reader without appearing obviously to do so. A peculiar or unusual t.i.tle is not at all necessary, though if properly selected such a t.i.tle may be of value. Care must be taken not to have the t.i.tle make a promise that the theme cannot fulfill. If it does, the effect is unsatisfactory.

EXERCISES

_A._ Discuss the appropriateness of the t.i.tles for the subjects in the following:--

1. t.i.tle: "My Kingdom for a Horse."

Subject: An account of a breakdown of an automobile at an inconvenient time.

2. t.i.tle: A Blaze of Brilliance.

Subject: Description of a coaching parade.

3. t.i.tle: A Brave Defense.

Subject: An account of how a pair of birds drove a snake away from their nest.

4. t.i.tle: The Banquet Book.

Subject: Quotations designed for general reference, and also as an aid in the preparation of the toast list, the after-dinner speech, and the occasional address.

5. t.i.tle: Dragons of the Air.

Subject: An account of extinct flying reptiles.

6. t.i.tle: Rugs and Rags.

Subject: A comparison of the rich and the poor, from a socialistic point of view.

7. t.i.tle: Lives of the Hunted.

Subject: A true account of the doings of five quadrupeds and three birds.