The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-04
PREPARATORY SCHOOLS COLLEGES AND ACADEMIES |

mind was busy fitting what saw with
appropriate words when i sat by the
roadside | would either read, or pencil
and penny version book would be In
my hand, to note down the features of
the scene or commemorate some hating
stanzas. Thus / lived with words And
what l thus wrote was for no Interior
use II was written consciously for prac-
tice. II was not SO much that wished
to be an author Uhough wished that
too) as that l vowed would learn to
write. That was a proficiency that
tempted me. and ! practised to acquire
II. as men learn to whlttle In a wager
with myself"
man who has made reputation
both as writer and teacher says
that better than all other means of in
creasing the vocabulary is writing. Al
ways the way to learn to write" con-
tinues Arlo Bates. ''is TO write. The way
to increase ones power Of expression is
to strive to express. The habit OF seek
ing constantly for the right word re-
suits in ability to find the right word
It acts not only directly. widening ones
domain In the realm of language, but II
renders hundredfold more effective the
use OF reading and of talk. 1t puts the
mind into an attentive mood so that
when a new term IL met with II Is re-
membered The perception on the alert
for words becomes susceptible to them,
go that they are appreciated and re-
tained. Cultivate the habit of putting
things into words and the words will
come unconsciousy; practise phrasng
thought and the means OF phrasing II
will not long be wanting"
Prof Bates points out that another
important means of increasing ones
command Of language is conversation,
land the value OF conversation in this
respect, as in every other. is in direct
| ratio to its character. To talk Is not
| enough IL is necessary that the talker
exert himself to do his best. Chatter
| is OF no value as intellectual training
1t is the exercise OF the mind which
tells. The subject Of conversation may
| be as light as possible. but II is inpor-
| tant that whatever is said Is said well,
| whether II be compliment to a mis-
! tresss eyebrow. a discussion OF the
deepest philosophy of life or the latest
bon mot Of the clubs. Every variety OF
! gift Emerson says truly. science. re-
! ligion. politics, letters. art. prudence,
/ war or love. has its vent and exchange
| In conversation. and It follows that con-
versation properly conducted helps to
the power of expression in all of these
! Reading the dictionary and proit!ng
| tudiciousiy by such mental exercise
meets Prof Bates's approval. "ln gen.
eral there is far too little stress laid
upon the use OF the dictionary. There
should be in every preparatory school
regular exercise in the use of the die
tionary. and in it all students should
| he required TO join. The teacher should
read an extract or n sentence, or should
| give out words to. the class and have
the meanings and derivations actually
looked IN at the moment. The differing
valueS I synonyms should be exam
ined pul IL possible something of the
| h!stp,. of the words given The aim
sho II be to encourage the student in
the haMt OF having a lexicon at hand
ana Cr using It constantly
or course first of all Prof. Bates APP
proves OF careful reading of well chosen
works as a means of increasing one
vocabulary. But it is only careful
reading" he adds. reading in which
are studied the force and color OF terms
as well as their literal meaning that
is OF marked value in this direction"
Here is advice direct from Harvard
University. The vocabulary at the dis
posal nj a ma ster of such a Language az
English" writes Prof. Barrett Wendell
SIS comparatively enormous. A mod