Before you write, make a plan. It is as necessary in composition as in building. If the nature of your subject or the kind and quantity of your material render it desirable to deviate from the model, do not hesitate to do so. As a rule, however, it will be best to follow its plan rather closely. At all events, work from some plan. Don't get the idea that you can dash off a finished exposition in a few minutes. VIII. Writing Exposition above everything else should be clear. Say what you mean and mean what you say. IX. Criticism The written expositions of house plans may be tested by having the pupils exchange papers, and asking the recipients to draw the plans from the compositions. X. Suggested Reading Rudyard Kipling's _The Ship that Found Herself_. XI. Memorize CHARITY Then gently scan your brother man, Still gentler sister woman; Though they may gang a kennin' wrang, To step aside is human. One point must still be greatly dark, The moving why they do it, And just as lamely can ye mark How far perhaps they rue it. Who made the heart 'tis he alone Decidedly can try us; He knows each chord--its various tone, Each spring--its various bias. Then at the balance let's be mute; We never can adjust it; What's done we partly may compute, But know not what's resisted. ROBERT BURNS. CHAPTER XV THE EXPOSITION OF IDEAS "But words are things, and a small drop of ink, Falling like dew upon a thought, produces That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think." LORD BYRON. I. Introduction The exposition of ideas is difficult and important. It takes many forms, but only three can be noticed in this chapter: (1) Exposition through Narration; (2) Exposition through Condensation; (3) Exposition through Comparison. The three following models illustrate these three forms, respectively. II. Model I PUFFERS The wise men of antiquity loved to convey instruction under the covering of apologue; and, though this practice is generally thought childish, we shall make no apology for adopting it on the present occasion. A generation which has bought eleven editions of a poem by Mr. Robert Montgomery may well condescend to listen to a fable of Pilpay.