Chapter I: Front Matter

EXPOSITORY WRITING

BY

MERVIN JAMES CURL

FORMERLY INSTRUCTOR IN ENGLISH UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY

BOSTON NEW YORK CHICAGO

COPYRIGHT, 1919, BY MERVIN JAMES CURL

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

THE RIVERSIDE PRESS
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS
U. S. A.

TO
THE STUDENTS IN RHETORIC III
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
WITH WHOM I HAD PLEASANT ASSOCIATION
FROM 1914 TO 1918

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Since one of the pleasures of life is in being indebted to friends for kindnesses so generously given that the givers were unaware of the indebtedness which they were creating, the author is happy to set forth several acknowledgments of most helpful counsel and aid. To Dr. Emerson G. Sutcliffe, with whom a complete text on the whole subject of rhetoric had been projected, only to be set aside, and to result, for the present, in the text now published, the author wishes to express his thanks for advice, criticism, and general wise help throughout the preparation of this text. Dr. Herbert L. Creek read many sections of the book in manuscript, and made valuable suggestions. At the suggestion of Dr. Jacob Zeitlin the chapter on the "Informal Essay" was rewritten, with much improvement. Helpful advice was given concerning different sections of the book by Dr. Frank W. Scott, Dr. Harold N. Hillebrand, Dr. Clarissa Rinaker, and Miss Ruth Kelso. Dr. Robert C. Whitford and Mr. Bruce Weirick read a part of the book and kindly commented upon it. All these kind friends were members, at the time of giving aid, of the faculty of the University of Illinois.

To Professor Fred L. Pattee, of the Pennsylvania State College, the author feels an especial debt of gratitude for unfailing interest and cheer and much wise counsel.

To Mr. Warner G. Rice, a student in the University of Illinois, the author wishes to make acknowledgment for reading one chapter in manuscript and making valuable suggestions.

So many friends have helped at one time and another that whatever of good the book may contain is doubtless due largely to them. For its faults the author alone is responsible.

Due credit is made in the proper places to the several publishers who with unfailing kindness and courtesy allowed the use of material drawn from their publications.

_Boston, Massachusetts_
_August 9, 1919_

CONTENTS

I. THE NATURE AND MATERIAL OF EXPOSITION 1

II. HOW TO WRITE EXPOSITION 11

III. DEFINITION 73

IV. ANALYSIS 113

V. MECHANISMS, PROCESSES, AND ORGANIZATIONS 157

VI. CRITICISM 190

VII. THE INFORMAL ESSAY 231

VIII. EXPOSITORY BIOGRAPHY 257

IX. THE GATHERING OF MATERIAL FOR WRITING 297

INDEX 305

EXPOSITORY WRITING