Notes on the Examination Papers in English Literature: For Third-Class Certificates, 1878 (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Armstrong, T. C. L.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1330416783 ISBN 13: 9781330416785

Verlag: Forgotten Books, 2018

Inhaltsangabe

Excerpt from Notes on the Examination Papers in English Literature: For Third-Class Certificates, 1878

The chief object of the notes given in this little primer is to assist intending candidates for third-class certificates a secondary object, however, is held in view, viz., that of making it a useful companion to selected parts of the Fifth Reader. This double aim will, in a measure, explain the nature of the notes and questions. It will be observed that both notes and questions are framed more with a view to train the observation and reason, and to suggest thought, than merely to supply information for examination. Thus, derivation is discussed more fully than is usual in public schools, but not, it is believed, too much so for the highest classes, where only, of course, this book will be used. It must be confessed that derivation, as generally taught, amounts to little more than bur dening the memory with a number of foreign and half understood words, of which no further use is to be made.

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Excerpt from Notes on the Examination Papers in English Literature: For Third-Class Certificates, 1878

The first great object in reading a literary extract, or work, is to gain a thorough knowledge of what the author says. Every thing else is subsidiary to this. We read to gain information, and if we are to experience the full effect of the production of the author, our attention should be directed solely to the sequence of thought and not to the words or other matters. It is, however, necessary to know the meaning, force, and relation of the words before we can understand the sense. This intimate connection between words and thought gives language a peculiar force as an educational medium; it trains the mind to use its powers, while laying up a store of information. Hence, in reading a literary piece both of these objects should be held in view. As a training medium we may investigate a literary work more minutely than is absolutely required for grasping the senso merely. If judiciously used, language affords one of the finest means of mental culture, fostering a sound judgment, logical reasoning and critical taste. Of English these remarks are particularly true; it has the additional advantage of being useful to the student in after life as a source of profit or intellectual pleasure, in appreciating or composing good English. To use a language for the higher purposes of literature, we must have a knowledge of the proper use of that language such as the meanings and use of words, the structure of sentences, the characteristics of style, the nature of figures, the composition of discourse, etc. These, then, are some of the points that ought to engage the student's attention.

Let us now investigate the use to be made of words in this two-fold object of reading, viz.: for information and for training.

I. How do we arrive at the meanings of words? -

1st. Many, no doubt, have come to us in early childhood by a sort of intuition, - for such the extreme capability of the young mind to acquire words may be called.

2nd. We learn them by concrete explanation, i.e., by associating the word directly with the thing it represents.

3rd. By synonyms, i.e., by using a, simpler word on the principle of explaining the unknown by the known. Too much care cannot be taken in this, to make sure that the synonyms themselves are understood.

4th. By observing their use in a sentence we judge from the context what the force or meaning of the word must be. This, indeed, is the ordinary way of learning new words. By bearing or seeing a word frequently used, we at last arrive at a definite idea of its use. This process is often done unconsciously and erroneously, as by children, and needs careful watching. Great attention should be given to this method of learning words. Ascertain clearly what each word means, compare it with other meanings, writing sentences with the word in its various uses, giving synonyms for each, or if there be none, substitute a defining phrase.

5th. By Etymology. This very often assists us in discriminating between nearly synonymous words. The literal meaning, also often gives us a clue to the various meanings of the word. To derive benefit from this process, we should have a thorough knowledge of the meaning, use and changes of the prefixes and affixes; the nature and meaning of roots and compounds; the forms that words assume; their growth and corruptions; the changes that their meanings undergo, and the laws that govern these changes. To these may be added the nature of our language; the kind and use of Saxon and of Latin words; tho influence on style of having two sets of words (Latin and Saxon). These, and many other facts, interesting and instructive, may be gleaned.

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Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: Forgotten Books
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2018
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 1330416783
• ISBN 13: 9781330416785
• Einband: Tapa blanda
• Anzahl der Seiten: 50
• Kontakt zum Hersteller: Nicht verfügbar
• Verantwortliche Person: Nicht verfügbar