By
JOSEPH DEVLIN, M.A.
Edited by
THEODORE WATERS
THE CHRISTIAN HERALD
BIBLE HOUSE
NEW YORK
Copyright, 1910, by
THE CHRISTIAN HERALD
NEW YORK
CHAPTER I
REQUIREMENTS OF SPEECH
Vocabulary. Parts of speech. Requisites
CHAPTER II
ESSENTIALS OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR
Divisions of grammar. Definitions. Etymology.
CHAPTER III
THE SENTENCE
Different kinds. Arrangement of words. Paragraph.
CHAPTER IV
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
Figures of speech. Definitions and examples. Use of figures.
CHAPTER V
PUNCTUATION
Principal points. Illustrations. Capital letters.
CHAPTER VI
LETTER WRITING
Principles of letter writing. Forms. Notes.
CHAPTER VII
ERRORS
Mistakes. Slips of authors. Examples and corrections.
Errors of redundancy.
CHAPTER VIII
PITFALLS TO AVOID
Common stumbling blocks. Peculiar constructions. Misused forms.
CHAPTER IX
STYLE
Diction. Purity. Propriety. Precision.
CHAPTER X
SUGGESTIONS
How to write. What to write. Correct speaking and speakers.
CHAPTER XI
SLANG
Origin. American slang. Foreign slang.
CHAPTER XII
WRITING FOR NEWSPAPERS
Qualification. Appropriate subjects. Directions.
CHAPTER XIII
CHOICE OF WORDS
Small words. Their importance. The Anglo-Saxon element.
CHAPTER XIV
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Beginning. Different Sources. The present.
CHAPTER XV
MASTERS AND MASTERPIECES OF LITERATURE
Great authors. Classification. The world's best books.
In the preparation of this little work the writer has kept oneend in view, viz.: To make it serviceable for those for whom it isintended, that is, for those who have neither the time nor theopportunity, the learning nor the inclination, to peruse elaborateand abstruse treatises on Rhetoric, Grammar, and Composition. Tothem such works are as gold enclosed in chests of steel and lockedbeyond power of opening. This book has no pretension about itwhatever,—it is neither a Manual of Rhetoric, expatiating onthe dogmas of style, nor a Grammar full of arbitrary rules andexceptions. It is merely an effort to help ordinary, everydaypeople to express themselves in ordinary, everyday language, in aproper manner. Some broad rules are laid down, the observance ofwhich will enable the reader to keep within the pale of proprietyin oral and written language. Many idiomatic words and expressions,peculiar to the language, have been given, besides which a numberof the common mistakes and pitfalls have been placed before thereader so that he may know and avoid them.
The writer has to acknowledge his indebtedness to no one inparticular, but to all in general who have everwritten on the subject.
The little book goes forth—a finger-post on the road oflanguage pointing in