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EXPOSITORY WRITING BY MERVIN JAMES CURL FORMERLY INSTRUCTOR IN ENGLISH UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY BOSTON     NEW YORK     CHICAGO

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COPYRIGHT, 1919, BY MERVIN JAMES CURL

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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

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

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Since one of the pleasures of life is in being indebted tofriends for kindnesses so generously given that the giverswere unaware of the indebtedness which they were creating,the author is happy to set forth several acknowledgmentsof most helpful counsel and aid. To Dr. Emerson G. Sutcliffe,with whom a complete text on the whole subject of rhetorichad been projected, only to be set aside, and to result, for thepresent, in the text now published, the author wishes to expresshis thanks for advice, criticism, and general wise helpthroughout the preparation of this text. Dr. Herbert L. Creekread many sections of the book in manuscript, and made valuablesuggestions. At the suggestion of Dr. Jacob Zeitlinthe chapter on the "Informal Essay" was rewritten, withmuch improvement. Helpful advice was given concerningdifferent sections of the book by Dr. Frank W. Scott, Dr.Harold N. Hillebrand, Dr. Clarissa Rinaker, and Miss RuthKelso. Dr. Robert C. Whitford and Mr. Bruce Weirick reada part of the book and kindly commented upon it. All thesekind friends were members, at the time of giving aid, of thefaculty of the University of Illinois.

To Professor Fred L. Pattee, of the Pennsylvania StateCollege, the author feels an especial debt of gratitude forunfailing interest and cheer and much wise counsel.

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

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

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

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