The Century Handbook of Writing Part 47

=f. A prefix or a suffix is usually set off from the rest of the word regardless of the rule for consonants between syllables:= _ex-empt_, _dis-appoint_, _sing-ing_, _pro-gress-ive_. But when a final consonant is doubled before a suffix the additional consonant goes with the suffix: _trip-ping_, _permit-ted_, _omis-sion_.

=g. The best usage avoids separating one or two letters (unless in prefixes like _un_ or suffixes like _ly_) from the rest of the word:= _achieve-ment_, _enor-mous_, _remem-bered_, _dyspep-sia_ (not _a-chievement_, _e-normous_, remember-ed, dyspepsi-a).

=h. The first part of a divided word should not be ludicrous or misleading:= _dogma-tize_, _croco-dile_, _de-cadence_, _metri-cal_, _goril-la_ (not _dog-matize_, _croc-odile_, _deca-dence_, _met-rical_, _go-rilla_).

Exercise:

Place a hyphen between each pair of syllables in each word of more than one syllable: _thoughtful_, _burrowing_, _thorough_, _chimney_, _brought_, _helped_, _harshnesses_, _which_, _murmur_, _superst.i.tion_, _ground_, _symmetry_, _ripped_, _compartment_, _disallow_, _obey_, _opinion_, _opportune_, _aggressive_, _intellectually_, _complicated_, _encyclopedia_, _wrought_, _electricity_, _abstraction_, _syllabication_, _punctuation_, _frustrate_, _except_, _subst.i.tuting_, _distressful_.

=Outlines=

Three kinds of outlines are ill.u.s.trated in this article: (a) the Topic Outline, (b) the Sentence Outline, and (c) the Paragraph Outline.

=86a. A topic outline consists of headings (nouns or phrases containing nouns) which indicate the important ideas in a composition, and their relation to each other. Conform to the following model:=

=The Lumber Problem=

Theme: The decline of our lumber supply requires that we shall take steps toward reforesting, conservation, and the use of subst.i.tutes for wood.

I The Depletion of our forests A Former abundance B Present scarcity (especially walnut, white pine, oak)

II The Causes of the depletion A Great demand 1 For building 2 For industrial expansion (ties, posts, etc.) 3 For fuel, and other minor uses B Wasteful methods of forestry

III The Remedy A Reforestation 1 Planting by individuals 2 Planting by the states 3 Extension of the present National Forest Reserves

B The prevention of waste 1 In fires, by insects, etc.

2 In cutting and sawing 3 In by-products (sawing, odd lengths, etc.)

C The use of subst.i.tutes for wood (concrete, steel, brick, stone, etc.)

=b. A sentence outline is expressed in complete sentences. Conform to the following model:=

=The Lumber Problem=

I The depletion of our forests is evident when one compares A the former abundance, with B the present scarcity (of walnut, white pine, and oak, especially).

II The causes of the depletion are: A the great demand 1 for building, 2 for industrial expansion (ties, posts, etc.), 3 for fuel and other minor uses; and B wasteful methods of forestry.

III The remedies for the depletion are: A reforestation 1 by individuals, 2 by the states, 3 by extension of the present National Forest Reserves; B the prevention of waste 1 in fires, by insects, etc., 2 in cutting and sawing, 3 in by-products (sawdust, odd lengths, etc.); and C the use of subst.i.tutes, for wood (concrete, steel, brick, stone, etc.)

=c. A paragraph outline is a series of sentences summarizing the thought of successive paragraphs in a composition. Conform to the following model:=

=The Disagreeable Optimist=

1. The present age may be called an era of efficiency, prosperity, and optimism, since efficiency has produced prosperity, and this in turn has produced "optimism"--a word recurrent in common literature and conversation.

2. The optimist is often not natural or sincere, because his thoughts are centered on keeping up an appearance of being happy.

3. He is intrusive, for he thrusts comfort upon those who wish to mourn, and repeats irritating epigrams and poems about cheer.

4. He is undiscriminating, in that he prescribes the same remedy, "good cheer," for everybody and for every condition.

5. He is sometimes harmful, because he tells us that the world is going well, when conditions need changing, and need changing badly.

=d. Mechanical details.= Indent headings that are coordinate (that is, of equal value) an equal distance from the margin. One inch to the right is a good distance for successive subordinate headings. Use Roman numerals, capital letters, Arabic numerals, and small letters to indicate the comparative rank of ideas. When a heading runs over one line, use hanging indention; that is, do not allow the second line to run back to the left-hand margin, but indent it. Make the numerals and letters (_1_, _A_, etc.) stand out prominently. The t.i.tle of a theme should not be given a numeral or letter.

Faulty indention:

Sources of energy which may be utilized when the coal supply is exhausted are

I Rivers and streams, especially in mountain districts II The tides III The heat of the sun

Correct hanging indention:

Sources of energy which may be utilized when the coal supply is exhausted are

I Rivers and streams, especially in mountain districts II The tides III The heat of the sun

=e. Ideas parallel in thought should be expressed in parallel form.= Nouns and phrases including nouns are ordinarily used.

Faulty parallelism: Advantages of a garden: 1 Profitable 2 It affords good exercise 3 Gives pleasure

Right: Advantages of a garden: 1 Profit 2 Exercise 3 Pleasure

=f. Avoid faulty coordination (giving two ideas equal rank, when one should be subordinated to the other) and _vice versa_, avoid faulty subordination.=

Faulty coordination:

How Seeds Scatter

I By Wind II Some Seeds provided with parachutes III Others light, and easily blown about IV By Water V By Animals

Right:

=How Seeds Scatter=

I By Wind A Some seeds provided with parachutes B Others light, and easily blown about

II By Water

III By Animals