Right: The only doctor we could find (namely, the vil- Inquiry 529. In an interrogative predication any member may be followed by a question mark to indicate insistent or eager inquiry. (Cf. Rule 208.) Right: Have you pistols? shot? powder? 530. As has been already noticed (see Rule 287), a predication declarative in form but interrogative in sense may be designated as interrogative by the question mark. Conjecture Eager inquiry denoted by repeated question mark particularly of a Conjecture 531. The fact that a statement date is conjectural may be indicated by a parenthe- denoted by sized question mark. Right: These events occurred in 411 B.C. (?) question mark 532. But the use of a parenthesized question mark as a Abuse of notice of humor or irony is a puerility. (Cf. Rules 227, 533 f.) BAD: After his polite (?) remarks we have nothing Right: After his polite remarks we have nothing more Sundry Errors of Designative Punctuation the device marks: 533. Quotation marks should not be used (a) to Misuses of enclose the title at the head of a composition unless the quotation title is a quotation; (b) to enclose proper names,1 in- Heading cluding names of animals. 1 See the Grammatical Vocabulary, pp. 360 ff. 1 Proper names WRONG: I expect to go to "Ober-Ammergau.' : WRONG : "Thomas" and "Rover" were good friends. : (c) to enclose letters and symbols that are not quoted; WRONG: He makes a figure "2" like the letter "z." (d) to enclose words coined extempore; WRONG: The manning and "womaning" of the enterprise will be difficult. : Right The manning and womaning of the enterprise will be difficult. WRONG It is not bronchitis or peritonitis or any of the "itises." Right: It is not bronchitis or peritonitis or any of the itises. (e) to enclose proverbial phrases; WRONG: He seemed to be "as mad as a March hare." Right: It was nipped in the bud. (f) to serve the undignified and inartistic purpose of labeling one's own humor or irony (cf. Rules 227, 532); BAD Such is the ardor of this "pious" Hotspur. BAD: Senator Platt's speech on the bill was a sort of Right: Senator Platt's speech on the bill was a sort of funeral oration. No reason (g) for no reason at all. at all Misuses of parentheses and BAD: If the Creator in his "power and munificence" is good to me, I shall gain "distinguished success. Right: If the Creator in his power and munificence is good to me, I shall gain distinguished success. 534. Neither parentheses nor brackets should be used brackets: (a) to emphasize a word (see Rules 216, 226); Emphasis BAD: "The man (who) they thought was dead sur- Right: "The man who they thought was dead surprised (b) to enclose a word about which something is said as a Words word (see Rules 216, 224); WRONG (Party) is often incorrectly used for (person). (c) to indicate the title of a book (see Rules 216, 217); WRONG Right: Garland's story Among the Corn Rows is discussed Literary titles (d) to enclose a letter, number, or symbol which is not Letters used parenthetically ; BAD: A (v) shaped plate of steel. and symbols BAD: It is marked with the figure (2). 535. The first of a pair of quotation marks, parentheses, or brackets should never be placed at the end of a line. BAD: He stepped up to me and said gruffly, 66 Right: He stepped up to me and said gruffly, "You are wanted." BAD: they were usually late) Right : (they were usually late) The twelve o'clock whistles ( The twelve o'clock whistles Initial quotation mark, parenthesis, or bracket at end of line Every composition a series of PARAGRAPHING Introduction: The Meaning of the Term Thoughtcomponenti 536. Before the rules for paragraphing are given, it is necessary to explain a term frequently used in those rules. This is the term thought-component. A composition of any kind on any subject necessarily discusses a number of different topics which form divisions of the main subject. An essay on George distinct in Washington will necessarily discuss several topics that form divisions of the subject George Washingtonsuch topics as these: passages topic Washington's early life His political career His personal character Again, an essay on the smaller subject The Personal Character of Washington will necessarily discuss topics falling under this subject—for example, His dignity His pride His sense of humor His piety Again, an essay on The Dignity of Washington will necessarily discuss several topics falling under this subject for example, His dignity of speech The dignity of his literary style His dignity of bearing 1 See Exercises 750-752. A composition explaining the game of baseball will necessarily discuss several topics falling under the main subject for example, The field The apparatus The stations of the players The method of play A composition giving an account of a picnic will necessarily deal with several topics-for example, The meeting of the party The journey to the ground The games An editorial on an athletic victory will necessarily deal with several topics-for example, Brief summary of the game Special praise for Flaherty's end run Hopes suggested by the victory Every composition is thus made up of a series of passages, each distinct in topic from what precedes and follows. These passages may consist of one sentence, of two or three sentences, or of an indefinite number of sentences. Such passages will hereafter be called thought-components. A component is a part. The components of a pair of scissors are the right blade, the left blade, and the rivet. To analyze a thing is to observe or point out its com- Analysis ponents. Many things can be analyzed in several differ- on different ways—or, to use a common term, can be analyzed on several different bases. The population of a certain city, analyzed on the basis of its individuals, is made up of fifty thousand components; analyzed on the basis of sex, it is made up of two components; analyzed on the basis of nationality, it is made up of six components; analyzed on the basis of religious sects, it is made up of eight components. Likewise a composition may be ent bases |