GRAMMAR AND COMPOSITION FOR COMMON SCHOOLS. BY ELIPHALET ORAM LYTE, A. M., PROFESSOR OF PEDAGOGICS AND GRAMMAR, STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, + NEW YORK: D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, 1886. PUBLIC WOR 20JUN 34 PREFACE. THIS book is designed for pupils that have received some elementary instruction in the use and form of language. In preparing it, the author has endeavored to keep constantly before his mind the needs of the class-room. He has tried to present the subject of Grammar in such a way as to give culture to the powers of inductive and deductive reasoning, and familiarize the pupil with the ways in which thought is expressed, as well as to assist him in learning to use the language correctly. The part devoted to Composition seeks to lead the pupil, step by step, from the expression of his thought in simple sentences to the writing of narratives, essays, etc. Prominence is given to letter-writing, as the written composition of most persons is mainly in the form of letters. It will be seen that many time-honored topics have been omitted; that the relations and forms of words and sentences are to be learned by studying these relations and forms, rather than by committing definitions about them; and that the subject as a whole has been greatly simplified, without sacrificing system or thoroughness. New terms have in a few instances been introduced, but only to name existing distinctions. No imaginary classes or relations have been invented and labeled: indeed, many subdivisions of subjects and minor distinctions have been omitted, in the belief that they do not come within the scope and design of the work. Among the features of this work that it is thought will arrest the attention of progressive teachers, the following may be mentioned: 1. The two courses, in which the subject is so presented that but one text-book on technical grammar is needed for the various classes in public schools. (See p. vi.) 2. The general plan of the work, and the development of the subject in accordance with pedagogical principles. 3. The clearness and simplicity of the definitions. |