Part 22 (1/2)

VI. Comments and Exercises

1. What is the point of this editorial?

2. Note the point of each paragraph: (Par. 1) Our colleges might furnish the means of remedying our national lack of preparation for war; (Par. 2) at present our athletics benefit only a few individuals; (Par. 3) if military training were introduced into our colleges, it would benefit both individuals and the nation.

3. A more logical arrangement would be: (Par. 1) The United States is not prepared for war; (Par. 2) as now organized, our college athletics benefit only a few individuals; (Par. 3) if military training were introduced into our colleges, individual students and the nation alike would be benefited.

4. In which arrangement is paragraph unity better observed?

5. Is the arrangement in the model better in any respect than the one suggested?

6. The following words are hackneyed: ”wofully,” ”utterly,”

”inestimable,” ”magnificent,” ”groundwork.” Suggest some synonyms.

Can any of these words be omitted? Lowell's rule was: ”Cut out the adjectives and adverbs. Make the nouns and verbs do the work.”

7. Explain the construction of ”with but very little warning,” ”for the purpose,” ”from other inst.i.tutions,” ”physically,”

”utterly,” ”drill.”

8. What is the difference between ”development” and ”training”?

Between ”true patriotism” and ”unselfish public service”?

”College” and ”university”?

9. Does this model contain any misstatements of fact?

10. Is the plan feasible or desirable?

11. Could it be extended to secondary schools?

12. Find in the model at least four mixed metaphors. If you do not know what a mixed metaphor is, perhaps this cla.s.sic example of one will inform you: ”Mr. Speaker, I smell a rat. I see him brewing in the air. But, mark me, I shall yet nip him in the bud.”

13. Discuss the meaning and etymology of ”crisis,” ”disaster,”

”political,” ”physical,” ”nation,” ”revolutionize,”

”educational,” ”athletics,” ”inst.i.tutions,” ”disciplined,”

”military,” ”supervision,” ”experts,” ”auspices,” ”spirit,”

”instilled,” ”nucleus,” ”corps,” ”recruited,” ”additional.”

14. Shall we say ”instilled in,” ”instilled into,” or ”developed in”?

15. Write an answer to Model II.

16. The great merits of Model II lie in its content and its construction. The fundamental principle on which it is built might be called the ”killing-two-birds-with-one-stone idea.” Two things are wrong; one reform will make both right. Can you think of any other subject which might be discussed on the same principle?

VII. Suggested Reading