oo \HH? r *» ~. ■ \ SUCCESSFUL WRITING. LITERARY COMPENDIUM FOR Authors, Editors, Re-porters, Correspondents, Lawyers, Teachers, Students, Etc. WITH A Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms Specially Peepaeed foe Weitees. 3/ By SYMMES M. JELLEY. AUG 22 1887 - CHICAGO: The Atlas Literary Bureau, 1887. J* Copyright, 1887, By SYMMES M. JELLEY. AUTHOR'S PREFACE. This little book is intended for the use of literary workers and those who have not learned, by practical acquaintance, the crooked paths which lead to success in newspaper work and novel writing. It is designed as a hand-book for writers, but not to serve in place of exhaustive text books on Rhetoric, Grammar, Punctu- ation, etc. Fully nine-tenths of the printed matter read daily consists of newspaper columns, magazines and the pages of fiction, and for this reason I have confined myself to these topics. In order to be concise, a large amount of material has been condensed and only that of essential worth has been retained. Enough has been taken up, however, to en- able the reader to so fashion his literary products as to win the approval of editors and publishers and, per- chance, reap just remuneration for his thought and labor. In the preparation of the following pages I have not only drawn largely from my own practical experience, but have willingly turned to the productions of well known and successful writers. I owe much to the gifted pen of Robert Luce and the works of A. Arthur Reade, also to standard text books and dictionaries. S. M. J. Chicago, March 15, 1887. TABLE OF CONTENTS. WRITING FOR THE PRESS. CHAPTEK I. STYLE. Derivation, Definition and Usage of the Word Style in the English Language — Style in Newspapers and Periodicals — How Great Writers Secure Style — Carlyle's Ideas — Method of Rev. Binney — The Best Works to Study for Style — How to Improve — Where to Find the Finest Passages — Clearness and the Way to Secure it — Methods for Brevity — How Sentences Should End — Purity — Slang — Technical Terms — Foreign and Inconsistent Words — Macaulay's Opinion of "Pilgrim's Progress" — Oliver Goldsmith's Diction — Matters of Style — Stiffness — Introductions — The Life of Sentences — Writing Against Space — Proficiency in Composing — What to Express — How to Express it. CHAPTER II. PUNCTUATION. Definition — Importance to Writers — Compositors — Work of Desk-Editors and Proof-Readers — Where to Use the Period — The Colon — The Semicolon — The Comma — The Dash — Practical Hints — Quotation Marks — Illustrations — Brackets and Parentheses — Newspaper Rules — Where to Get Them — General Remarks. CHAPTER III. CAPITALIZATION. Use of Capitals — Rules —How Newspaper Employes Capi- talize General Rules — Examples — Words Not Capitalized — Illustrations — Lists for References — Abbreviations and Ex- ceptions — " Side Heads" — What Should be Spelled Out — Illustrations — Rules for Italics — Hints and Observations — Compound Words — Rules and Illustrations — How to Use the Hyphen. CHAPTER IV. MISUSED WORDS AND PHRASES. Pure Diction — Power of Good Language — The Value of Being Able to Write and Speak Correctly — An Extended List of Words and Phrases Commonly Misused, with Corrections and Discriminations — Valuable Information for Writers — Where to Find Further Explanations. CHAPTER V. QUESTIONS OF GRAMMAR. An Eminent Writer's Advice — Short and Practical Rules for the Use of Pronouns — Illustrations — How to Use Verbs — List of Best Authorities on Shall and Will — Where Adverbs Should be Placed — The Use of Adjectives — Examples — Errors in the Use of Prepositions With a Classified List — Errors in Arrangement of Words — Illustrations — Words With Puzzling Plurals — Rules — Brief Rules for Spelling — Illustrations. CHAPTER VI. NEWSPAPER ENGLISH. Why Editors and Reporters Often Err — Style for Editorials — Requirements for Editorial Writing — The Broad Field of Editorials — Variety of Talent Required — Comments on Good Editorials — Reporting — Clearness — Condensation — Accuracy — What Constitutes Good Reporting — Difference Between Experts and Novices — " Fine Writing " — List of Hackneyed Words and Phrases — Illustrations and Comments Upon " Fine Writing" — Miscellaneous Matter — What Contributions are Acceptable — Choice of Subjects — What to Write. CHAPTER VII. HOW TO PREPARE MSS. Why Good Articles are Refused and Poor Ones are Often Accepted — Twenty-five Plain Rules for the Preparation of " Copy," With Reasons and Explanations — Valuable Hints — Taking Notes — Shorthand Writers — The Value of Shorthand — Verbatim Reporting and Newspapers — The Difficulties Which Beset Novices — Experienced Reporters — Wherein Shorthanders Fail — Their Success — Longhand against Short- hand — The True Requisites of a First-class Reporter — What He Should be Familiar with in Literature. FICTION CHAPTEB I. The Field in America Limitless — Fiction More Profitable Than Newspaper Work — Value of Newspaper Writing to Amateurs — The Increase of Novels — Fiction Defined — Ma- terials of Novels — What They Are — Where to Find Them — Plagiarism — Voltaire's Idea of Originality — Emerson's Opin- ion — Dramatic Presentations — What Should be Avoided in the Selection of Materials — Style — Why French Novels Please Americans — Faults of Amateurs — De Quincey's Advice — Henry Ward Beecher's Method of Beading — Nathaniel Haw- thorne, William M. Thackeray, and George Eliot as Models of Style — Walter Scott's Bomances as Studies — Pet Phrases and Expressions — Plot Defined — Of What it Should Consist — Novelists Who Depend on Plot — The Analytical Novel — Com- ments — Characterization and Characters — Methods —Outlines — Charles Dickens. CHAPTEB II. AUTHORS AT WORK. Special Talents — Size of Paper for Short Stories — The Best Place to Write — How Charles Lamb Worked — Victor Hugo's Method — Johnson — Southey — Macaulay — Bancroft, the Historian — Mrs. Burnett — " Mark Twain " — Henry James, Jr. — " Ouida " — George Eliot — Dickens — Thackeray — Char- lotte Bronte — The Best Way to Make Bapid Progress — Wait- ing for the Promptings of Genius — Size of Paper for Book Manuscript — Scrap Books — What Novelists Should Put in Them — Charles Beade's Habit — Bevision — The Care Exercised by Great Authors — What to Do After Writing the First Draught v — The Value of Professional Bevisers. CHAPTEB III. AUTHORS AND PUBLISHERS. Publishers, Shrewd Men — Will not Purchase Unsalable mss. — Good Material Sure of Sale — Instances of Famous Books Being Declined — Miss Murfree's Success — Terms With Pub- lishers — How Authors May Dispose of Manuscripts — Author's Earnings — Prices Paid — The Novelists Who Have Succeeded — Prices Paid by Periodicals and Weekly Papers — How to Transmit Manuscripts — Eates of Postage — Hints. CHAPTEE IV. LAW OF COPYRIGHTS. (under revised acts of congress.) Printed Title Eequired — Style of Print — Fees — Two Copies Eequired — Penalty — Notice of Copyright Given by Imprint — Translations — Eights Eeserved — Duration of Copyright — Time of Publication — Assignments — Copies — Serials — Works of Art — No Labels and Names Copyrighted — Full Name Ee- quired. SPECIAL LIST OF ENGLISH SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS, (or synonyms and words of reverse meaning.) WRITING FOR THE PRESS. CHAPTER I. STYLE. The word Style is derived from the Latin stylus, the name of a steel instrument used by the Romans for writing on tablets covered with wax. By metaphor the word has become the means of expressing any one's method of composition. I. Definition. — Style is the manner of expressing thought in language, whether oral or written. II. Formation. — In newspapers and periodicals there are as many styles of composition as there are writers. Every author has a manner peculiar to him- self of expressing thought, which is more or less de- fective. There are few successful writers who have not studied great authors for the purpose of securing a bet- ter style. The study of models is of primary impor- tance. Carlyle asserted that it was as impossible for a man to change his style as to change his skin, and Les- sing says. " Every man has his own style, just as every man has his own nose." It is as easy to write good English as bad Eng- lish. The return for a careful study of the best writ- ers is incalculable. Rev. Thomas Binney, a famous preacher, acquired a good style by reading Johnson's " Rasselas " and putting down all the new words that he found. Then he wrote essays in imitation of Johnson 12 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. and used them. He did the same with Thompson's " Seasons," and "Paradise Lost." In this manner he gained the power to write with readiness and achieved a great reputation as a writer. All successful writers owe their reputation as much to style as to their subject matter. The best productions should be studied, those of Shakespeare, Milton, Addison, Swift, Hume, Burke, Cobbet, Ruskin, Tennyson, for instance, not with a view of imitating them, but for the purpose of mastering their methods. Blackstone's style is admirable and Hallam's is excellent. Read a few pages of Hallam or Burke, then write in your own language the substance of what you remember, and afterwards compare your work with the original. This is a good way to improve. James Russell Lowell, author of the famous " Bigelow Papers," considers Carlyle a master of style. Thackeray and Ruskin said the same. Carlyle may be said to have a German-English style. William Black says that any young writer who imagines a clear and concise expression is a natural gift, will do well to study in Cunningham's collection of Goldsmith's writings, the continual obser- vations which the author considered necessary. In brief, select several authors who are masters of style, note their mode of expression, the arrangement of their words and sentences, and compare their work with your own. Ruskin is the great English classic and, above all, should be read and studied. His " Sesame and Lilies," and his " Crown of Wild Olives," contain some of the finest passages to be found in English prose. The preface to his "Arrows of the Chase," is a model of pure, sweet and equable language. Neglect of style is the cause of slovenly writing. Remember that when so many authors of ability and talent are contending for each round of the ladder of success, that the top is most often gained by a clear, precise and graceful style. WRITING FOR THE PRESS. 13 III. Clearness. — In constructing your sentences aim to use words which will convey a clear and unmis- takable meaning. " Care should be taken," says Quin- tilian, "not. that the reader may understand, but that he must understand, whether he will or not." Use special, instead of general terms, because they are grasped by the reader by a single act of thought, and the images they call up are distinct and definite. The more special the terms, the brighter the picture. Always use plain English words and avoid a pretentious, or in- flated style. Write so as to give your readers as little trouble as possible. To write clearly it is necessary to think clearly. Arrange your ideas definitely and express them by simple words which will convey your exact meaning. Thackeray is a fine model of clearness. Gold- smith should be studied. IV. Brevity. — This quality is considered by some authorities to be the leading characteristic of a good style. It is certainly an essential one as the strength of a sentence depends much upon its brevity. A sentence is made stronger by leaving out superfluous words. Gen- erally speaking, every word which does not add to the meaning, weakens a sentence. Writers would do well, after completing a manu- script, to go through it, and strike out every superlative and a majority of the epithets which the sense does not demand. Entire clauses are sometimes redundant. Care should be exercised not to take out words which ought to be retained. The relative pronoun in its proper place always makes the meaning more precise. "The man I loved" should be "The man whom I loved." "The land we owned, and the house we built" should be "The land which we owned, and the house which we built." No little skill is required for the proper management 14 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. of the conjunction and. When it is used for connect- ing one clause after another in a careless way, it has an enfeebling effect upon the style. This may be avoided by dividing the sentence by periods, making several sentences. Sentences should not be ended with unimportant or little words. Such words ought to be in a less conspic- uous place. It is rarely expedient to close a sentence with an ad- verb, or a prejiosition. The pronoun it, when accompan- ied with a preposition, as with it, in it, etc., is a feeble ending to a sentence. Nothing is lost by judicious shortening, nor is any- thing gained by repetition. V. Purity. — 1. Avoid slang and vulgar expres- sions. Purity of language is said to depend upon the laws of taste, but this standard continually varies. The rule is, to follow the practice of the best authors. Much slang is used by writers of sensational novels, and it is frequently found in reputable works. 2. Technical terms are seldom understood by the average reader, and should not be used unless absolute- ly necessary. Their use should be confined to the initi- ated. Certain legal, medical and mechanical terms of common usage, however, are admissible, as — plaintiff, defendant; emetic, cathartic; lever, pivot, etc. 3. Foreign, obsolete, newly coined and unauthorized words, are barbarisms. They violate purity of style. Foreign words are seldom used by ripe scholars whose knowledge of languages is profound. Young writers whose attainments are comparatively limited frequently interlard their sentences with Latin, French, German and Greek words, in order to display their learning. When a foreign word becomes domesticated and is familiar to ordinary readers, it may be used. It is best, however, to use its English equivalent. WRITING FOR THE PRESS. 15 If a word has been dropped from the vocabulary of the best writers, avoid it. A writer who is careful of the purity of his diction will not use a new word, if it is formed contrary to the genius of the language, that is, when its component parts are of different origin. Latin endings should be affixed to Latin roots, and Saxon stems should have Saxon endings. Webster's Unabridged Dictionary is the best authority for ordinary words. Common consent for the use of a particular word to mean a certain thing renders its use correct. 4. Inconsistent words. — Such as are seen in this sen- tence — " I had liked to have gotten one or two broken heads for my insolence." It should be " I was once or twice in danger of having my head broken, etc." Macaulay, the historian, declared Bunyan's " Pilgrim's Progress " to be the purest in style of all books in the English language. Oliver Goldsmith's works are noted for their chaste diction. VI. Matters of Style.— Study to avoid stiffness. Never hesitate' to go at once into your subject. Intro- ductions should be brief. Use the first person as much as possible. It gives more life to the sentences. When you mean " I " say "I" and not " your humble servant," " your obedient servant," "the writer" or any of the many stilted para- phrases so often seen. Direct quotations are more forcible than indirect. " I am shot" he said, is preferable to, " He said he was shot." The editorial " we " is proper when the news- paper, not the writer, is speaking; but a reporter, or cor- respondent, describes his own act and should say " I," not " we." The habit of " writing against space " is a great liter- ary danger to newspaper writers. When you have ex- pressed one idea clearly and concisely, leave it and go to the next. 16 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. Extend your vocabulary by fully describing scenes, objects, occurrences, characters, literally and figurative- ly, in various styles, until you can write the same matter in a dozen ways. Re-write in your own words passages from various authors of acknowledged excellence. These methods will greatly improve your proficiency in com- position. Choose the most appropriate words to express your meaning. Express nothing more or less than the idea intended to be conveyed. WRITING FOR THE PRESS. 17 CHAPTER II. PUNCTUATION. I. Definition. — Punctuation is the art of marking with points the various members or parts of a sentence, for the purpose of making the sense more apparent. II. Its Importance. — None except good gramma- rians are capable of punctuating sentences perfectly, yet it is within the ability of every one to punctuate manuscript so as to bring out its sense and make it plain to the reader. It is the duty of every writer to punctuate his own "copy" and he should know how to do it well. Many people occupying social and professional positions are wofully ignorant of the rules governing the^ proper pointing of sentences, although they may spell correctly, and express themselves without gram- matical error. It is the habit of many persons to rely wholly upon compositors, who are supposed to be experts in punctua- tion. Compositors are employed to set up " copy," not to punctuate it, and desk-editors and proof-readers have work to do other than correcting your blunders. No one so well understands the meaning of an author as the author himself, and it is folly £o suppose others will punct- uate your matter as you would have it done. III. The Period — Place a period at the close of every sentence you write, also after titles, abbreviations and Roman numerals. IV. Tlie Colon. — Use the colon before a speech or quotation of more than one sentence ; before a series of statements introduced by as follows, viz., etc.; and before a short quotation formally introduced. 18 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. T. The Semi-Colon. — Use a semi-colon when two or more members of a sentence are closely connected and a comma cannot be correctly used. VI. The Comma. — Put a comma before and after parenthetical clauses: adjective, participial, adverbial and absolute phrases: and two or more phrases in the same sentence. Generally, insert a comma where the meaning of the sentence without it would be obscure. VII. The Dash — This mark is used so indiscrim- inately by careless writers, that some critics insist that it should be banished. Correctly used it is highly rhet- orical and is often a necessity. It should not be used instead of any of the other points. Every dash is wrongly used unless it is positively needed. Place a dash where the construction of the sentence is broken: at a sudden and unexpected change of senti- ment: at a significant pause : after as and thus : and before and after rhetorical repetitions. It is, also, used instead of the usual sign of parenthesis. VIII. Hints. — An indirect question should not have an interrogation-point. O is never immediately fol- lowed by an exclamation point. Oh! always requires the exclamation-mark after it, except when the sentence has the point at the end. Note how brackets and parentheses are used. Brack- ets are restricted to interpolations, corrections and ex- planations made by writers in quotations, or by editors. Nouns, singular number, whether proper names or not, and plural nouns not ending with s, form the possessive by adding the apostrophe and s. Possessive pronouns never take the apostrophe. Make quotation marks clear and large, that they may not be mistaken for commas or apostrophes. Double marks precede and follow direct quotations; where one quotation occurs within another, single marks only are used. If the quotation does not begin a paragraph none WRITING FOR THE PRESS. 19 should be used before its close. Every paragraph should have the beginning marks, and only the last should have the closing marks. A paragraph of a quotation within a quotation has both double and single marks at the be- ginning and the single marks at the end, unless it closes the entire quotation, when single and double marks are used. Do not repeat errors and mis-spellings unless you wish to ridicule the printer and author. Quotation marks cause more errors than any other of the marks. It is a common thing to see quotations be- gun and not ended. The responsibility of the words is frequently placed on the wrong person, and it is often impossible to tell who says them — the writer, the speaker or some person who is quoted by the writer. The fault is most often the author's, sometimes that of the com- positor. The proof-reader is seldom in the wrong. Where ballots are taken at any meeting, make it " yeas " and " nays," not " ayes " and " noes." and punct- uate thus: yeas, 2; nays, 3. Where a list of names is given, with the States to which the individuals belong, punctuate with commas only, thus: Messrs. Daives of Jfassachusetts, Vest of Missouri, etc. But where a number of names occur, with the offices which they hold, punctuate with com- mas and semi-colons, thus: J. S. Phelps, Governor; Henry Overstolz, Mayor; etc. A sentence containing word inclosed by brackets or parentheses, punctuate just as if the part inclosed were omitted, the point, if any, coming after the last bracket or parenthesis. Any expression or remark thrown in a speech or quotation, not originally belonging to it, is inclosed by brackets, not parentheses. Punctuate trials, investigations, and inquests as or- dinary reading matter. If sentences are incomplete use semi-colons; if complete use periods. Example: Went to the window; saiv the prisoner. 20 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. In proceedings of public bodies, dialogues, etc., use dash after name of speaker, as: Mr. Garfield — Does the gentleman object? Mr. Kelly — I do, sir. Omit comma in phrases like the following: Herald of New York, Smith of the Mail Use comma before " and," " or," " nor," etc., when they connect three or more nouns, adjectives, etc., as John, James, and Henry leave toivn next week/ he was kicked, and cuffed, and beaten. Use the plain dash, without commas, in all cases. Use the colon after viz., to-wit, namely, etc. Do not use periods after nicknames, as Tom, Sam, Bill, etc. The name of the State in the following case should be inclosed in parentheses: " The Jackson [Mich.) Pilot has enlarged." No two newspapers have the same rules for punctua- tion. The best way for you to find out their method is to ask for a copy of the editor's " Typographical Rules." Study them carefully, note the punctuation of the paper and you can not fail to become, in form at least, a good writer for the press. Writing for the press. 2i CHAPTER III. CAPITALIZATION. 1. Capitals are used for the same purpose as punct- uating marks. II. Rules. — 1. Begin every sentence, line of poetry and direct quotation with a capital. 2. All words denoting the Deity should begin with a capital. 3. Proper nouns, personal titles and proper adjectives should begin with capitals. 4. All words derived from proper names should be capitalized. 5. The important words in book titles, etc., should be capitalized. 6. Names of the months and days of the week should begin with capitals. 7. The pronoun I and the interjection should be capitals. The rules governing editors, reporters, proof-readers and compositors of the various daily newspapers are often changed by managers. The foregoing rules, how- ever, are generally in force. It would be well for those who write for the press, to observe the following regu- lations: — Capitalize titles of office, honor, and degree when designating particular individuals, or members of some one official body, or in reports of any organization, and in cases where the title is specifically used or particu- larly emphasized. Otherwise not. For example: The Governor was invited. — Some of the Aldermen voted. — The Governors of several States were present. — The Chairman insisted. — The kings and queens of history; 22 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. laws defining the powers of governors, senators, repre- sentatives, mayors, aldermen, etc. — Congressional, commissioner, etc., follow the above rule: but master, receiver, and officers of merchant ves- sels (as captain, mate) are not capitalized. —Titles, and words denoting occupation, relation, etc., as captain, officer, patrolman, engineer, brother, cousin, when immediately preceding a proper name: as, Capt. Smith. — The divisions of a compound word, which, if stand- ing alone in ordinary matter, would be capitalized: as, Franco-Prussian. — When the distinguishing name is given, capitalize day, line (of boats or cars), committee, commission, board, bureau, republic, empire, ministry, department, church, school, society, lodge, home, county, city, ward, district, park, square, hall, station, building, block, house, depot, elevator, gasworks, waterworks, sea, lake, river, mountain, valley, pass, etc. : as the Baptist Church, the Blue Line, Union Square, the Rocky Mountains, the Grand Central Depot, the Exposition Building. But in other cases, or when some merely descriptive or limit- ing word or words precede or accompany, do not cap- italize : as, the Colorado mountains, the Everett House block. I>o not capitalize the following, either alone or with the name prefixed: Army, navy, mine, street, avenue, boulevard, court (a short street), place, addi- tion, subdivision, dam, slip. — When used alone do not capitalize, republic, em- pire, county, city, ward, municipality, department, com- mittee, commission, board, bureau, gasworks, water- works, judges and clerks of election, principals of schools and assistants, kindergarten, high school, etc., officers of merchant vessels (captain, mate, etc.). — n. e., s. w., etc., referring to sections of land, m (a WRITING FOR THE PRESS. 23 thousand), a. m., p. m., constitutional, gubernatorial, fifteenth amendment, executive and legislative session, names of hills and acts, committee of the whole, con- ference committee, both houses (of Congress), upper and lower house (of Parliament), court of record, civil service, customs department, the papacy, popery, macad- amize, sophomore, communist, granger, spiritualist, deist, atheist, street arab, prussic acid, j^aris green, china cup, phillippic, cashmere shawl, polar sea, arctic regions, church and state, high church, low church, ex preceding a title, the seasons, the republic. — Lake-Shore drive, pavilion (etc.) parkway, Drexel (etc.) boulevard. — The pronoun in complimentary titles as her Majes- ty, your Honor, their Royal Highnesses; north, south, east, and west, when referring to directions; as east- bound freights, western part of the State, etc. — Ordinances, as, fire ordinance, lumber ordinance, etc. — Such titles as receiver, trustee, assignee, director, etc., except when prefixed to the name. Display "ads" are excepted. Liberal capitalization in them is desirable. MISCELLANEOUS KULES. I. Abbreviate. — Titles before names and numbers as Maj.-Gen. Smith, Capt. Jones, the Rev. H. N. Brown, Prof. James, Sec. 1. Exceptions: Admiral. District- Attorney. Adjutant-General. State- Attorney. Postmaster-General. Superintendent. Commodore. . Governor-General. Commander. Captain-General. Commissioner. Inspector-General. Attorney-General. Quartermaster-General. Surgeon-General. 24 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. Use the character & in firm names, and in names of railroads, insurance companies, and canals. Monsieur M., Madame Mme., Mademoiselle Mile., Signor Sig., Monsignor Mgr., before names. The name of the month when followed by the day, but in no other case; as Nov. 12. Do not use " st," " d," or " th," after figures standing for the day of the month when given as above. IT. S. A., U. S. N., etc., following a person's name; as Gen. Stewart, U. S. A. Names of States when following names of towns or cities within them, but not otherwise; as Detroit, Mich.; Oshkosh, Wis.; Chicago, Cook County, 111. Where the name of the State follows the name of a county, spell out, except as above. The word county in a date, when accompanied by the name of a place within it; as Chicago, Cook Co., Madi- son, Dane Co., etc. Otherwise, spell out. Scriptural texts, credits, or references; as Gen., xliv., 24; II. Sam., viii., 10-15. — In conversational paragraphs where the speaker is mentioned in side-head form, leave out quotation marks. Example: De Baggs — I have just invented a new wind-vane which will astonish the world. De Caggs — What are its advantages? " Only one. It is made of straw." ' What good does that do?" " Why, my dear sir, you know straws show which way the wind blows." II. Spell Out all numbers under 100, except as given below, above that sum write in figures. Ages, prices (10 cents and above), per cent, dates, votes, time in races, hours of the day, and days of the month, always put in figures. In statistical matter — as reports from public departments, etc. — use figures. In dimen- WRITING FOR THE PRESS. 25 sions of lots, boats, machinery, etc., use figures with an «x," as — Lot 25x125 ; length 60 feet, beam 17, width 27 ; her boiler is 6x15 feet, steam-chest 2x4 feet, stroke 3 feet, etc. — Railroad and company when occurring after the name: as, Lake Shore Railroad, Evans Transportation Company. — The names of streets, wards, districts, etc. : as Tenth street, First Ward, etc. — Christian names, like .Charles, Thomas, John, Wil- liam, etc., should not be abbreviated unless as signa- tures, or when set up in columns and there is not room to spell them out. — Spell out Mount: as, Mount Pleasant, Mount Ver- non, etc. ; Fort: as, Fort Phil Kearney, Fort Lincoln. III. Italics. — Do not italicize names of articles of dress, trimmings, dry goods, nor words from the Latin, French, etc., in common use; as, vim, encore, habitue, etc. — Italicize the names of all periodicals, whether weekly, monthly, or otherwise. Examples : Harper's Bazar, Harpers Monthly ', the Missouri Republican. — Do not italicize the names of legal documents and processes and legal and medical technicalities ; as, habeas corpus, in re., et al., vs., post mortem. — Generally, italics are used for important, emphatic, and contrasted terms. IV. Hints. — Webster's Unabridged is the standard for orthography, divisions of words, etc., always taking his preference as to orthography, except theatre, centre, etc. — When resolutions are numbered use the plain figure and period, and if the resolved is also used put thus: Resolved, 1. That, etc. This rule applies to all paragraphs or sentences which are numbered. 26 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. — Do not use " the " before Rev. — The word " Hon." is not to be used except in ex- tracts from speeches or documents, or when used in edi- torial. — Do not put " Mr." before a name when the Christian name or initials are given. — Do not use the hyphen in United States in instances like the following: United States District- Attorney Britton, nor compound the title in Secretary of State Frelinghuysen ; make it State- Attorney Smith, not State's- Attorney. — Spell yolk (not yelk), syrup (not sirup), worshipped (not worshiped), scion (not cion), keg (not cag). — Do not put the name of the state after the follow- ing cities when used in date lines: Des Moines, Detroit, Galveston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Keokuk, Little Rock, Louisville, Memphis, Milwaukee, Mobile, V. Compounds. — Words and phrases used as ad- jectives, should be united with the hyphen, except where one word; as, a well-known man, matter-of-fact people. But a proper and common noun, used together as one name, which omit the hyphen when standing- alone, omit it when used adjectively; as Ttvelfth street bridge, City Hall news. — Adverbs in ly compounded with participles omit the hyphen; as, a newly built house. — Two or more limiting words compounded before a Baltimore, Boston, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Cairo, Chattanooga, Chicago, Council Bluffs, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Omaha, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, St. Paul, St. Louis, San Francisco, Washington. WRITING FOR THE PRESS. 27 noun omit the hyphen when occurring after it; as, a man ivell known, the place before mentioned. — Corner-stone, ex-Governor, Sergeant-at-Arms, home- stretch, back-stretch, good-by, court-martial, tax-payer, man-of-war, saw-mill, a half-dozen, a half-dollar, one- quarter, two-thirds, '49-er, small-pox, re-enforce, bird's- eye view, camel's-hair brush, etc., take the hyphen. — When the first part of a compound ends, and the second part begins, with the same letter, the hyphen is used, except in ofttimes, knickknack. ■ — Prefixes (except bi, tri, and re) ending with a vowel, take the hyphen before a vowel, omit it before a con- sonant, except where necessary to distinguish from a word with same letters but of different meaning; as, re- creation (creating anew), re-form, (to form again); and recreation (amusement), reform, rearrange, biennial, etc. — Court-room and other compounds of room take the hyphen. 28 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. CHAPTER IV. MISUSED WORDS AND PHRASES. Pure diction is a rare excellence. " The noblest lit- erary study of an Englishman," said one of our profess- ors, " is the study of the English language. The noblest literary gain of the educated man is the power of wield- ing that language well." When a man can not write a short business letter, or an article for the press, correct- ly, he is debarred from taking the place to which perhaps his natural good sense entitles him. A knowledge of the technicalities of grammar is, of course, valuable; but experience shows that many peo- ple, who have never studied the science of grammar from school books, are able to speak and write English with- out violating its rules. Many who profess to be learned in syntax continually misuse certain words, and inces- santly err in the construction of their sentences. The list given below, comprises most of the words and phrases commonly misused. A. Is expressed or understood before words begin- ning with a consonant; e. g. a book, a university, a Euro- pean. An is used before words of one syllable begin- ning with h in which the h is not sounded, viz: herb, holiest, hour, etc.; before words of two syllables use a when the accent is on the first; an when the accent is on the second syllable; e. g. a history, an historical fact. Abortive. Means " brought out before it is well ma- tured," " untimely birth," etc. A plan may be abortive, but an act cannot. Above. Wrong in such phrases as — "The above statement," " above their strength;" say instead, "The foregoing statement." " Beyond their strength." WRITING FOR THE PRESS. 29 Accord. A better word is give. Administer. Medicine and oaths can be adminis- tered; but blows are dealt or given. Adopt. " Will you adopt this plan?" should be " will you take this plan?" Aggravate. Is not an equivalent to vex or irritate. Allude. Means to indicate jocosely; allusion is the by-play of expression. Alone. Is always an adjective and never modifies a verb. Amateur. Often confounded with novice. An am- ateur may be an artist of great skill, but he is not a pro- fessional. A novice is a beginner. Antecedents. Say previous life, or, better, past. Anticipate. Means to take or act before another, to take before the proper time. Do not use for look forward to, or expect. Any. Never write not any, when you can use the short word no. Appreciate. This word means to estimate justly, therefore, you can not appreciate a person highly. Stocks rise in value; they do not appreciate. Apprehend. Think, fancy and imagine are better words. Apt. Expresses fitness — liability, exposure. Artist. Use this word in referring to one who pro- fesses a fine art. As. Do not write "not as I know," but "not that, etc." Ascertain. Find out is shorter. Assist. A simpler word is help. As Though. Do not use for as if. He walks as if [though] he were lame. As Well. Not a synonym of also. At Length. Do not use for at last. Attendance. Awkward in " A large attendance was present." " The attendance was large," is better. 30 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. Audience. An assembly of hearers. Audiences do not attend gymnastic performances, pantomimes, boat- races, etc. Authoress. Not well used. Author is preferable. Avocation. A person's pleasures, or incidental do- ings — a man's vocation is bis business, or calling. Balance. Do not use in the sense of remainder. Beside— Besides. Use beside for by the side of; be- sides for in addition to. Between. Only applied to two things at once. Both. Superfluous in both alike. Bound. Unless expressing obligation write deter- mined, in such sentences as " I am determined to do it " Bountiful. Do not confound with plentiful. Bring. Expresses motion toward you. Fetch, motion first from and then toward you. Build. Preferable to erect. Built is shorter than erected or constructed. But What. Omit what. " I do not know but [what] you are right." The same applies to but that. By. "A boy by the name of John" should be "A boy of the name of John." Calculate. Does not express expect, purpose or in- tention. Casualty. Often written casuality. Character. Calumny may injure reputation, but not character. Citizen. Used much where person or man would be better. Climax. We reach a climax, but never " cap a cli- max." Commence. Poor Latin. Begin is always prefera- ble. Consider. Means to contemplate, but do not use for think, suppose or regard. Constantly. Does not mean frequently. WRITING FOR THE PRESS. 31 Crime. Is a violation of a secular law. Sin is the violation of a religious law. Vice is a harmful habit of a person. l>epot. Use station. All railroad depots are sta- tions , but very few stations are depots. Deprecate, Means to beg or pray against, and is often used for censure, disapprove, etc. Description. The words kind or sort are better. Write " His wares were of the meanest sort," and not " of the meanest description." Despatch. A telegraph message is a despatch and not a dispatch. Despite. Incorrectly preceded by in and followed by of Write either, " Despite all his efforts," or " In spite of his efforts." Directly. Not a synonym of as soon as. Dirt. A thing that is dirty is foul. Often badly used for earth, loam, gravel, etc. Donate. Not used by good writers. Give is better. Gift is better than donation. Done. Exercise care in the use of this word. The sentence — " I ought not to write as I have done," shows its incorrect, but frequent, use. Don't. Is pardonable in colloquial writing and con- versation like can't, won't, isn't, and haven't, but always discriminate between don't and doesn't. " He don't " is as incorrect as " He do not." Dramatize. When stories are changed from a nar- rative form to a drama, they are dramatized: plays are adapted when they are altered. During. Webster defines this word as meaning, " In the time of." It is then clear the word used as fol- lows — u The club will give a ball during the week," is not well chosen. Either. Used separately, either is corresponded to by or, and neither by nor\ either this or that, neither 32 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. this nor that. After each, use the singular number; e. g. " Neither the dog nor the cat is to be seen." Elder. This word, also, eldest, should be confined to relatives and historical persons. Embrace. Do not use for contain or comprise. An obituary contained the following ludicrous statement: " He left a large circle of mourners embracing an amia- ble wife and children." Every. Means each of all, not a mass. It can not be properly applied to that which, in its nature, is in- separable. Notice the error in each of the following sentences; "The children deserve every praise," "Every person must show their ticket." Expect. Does not mean suppose, think or guess. You can not expect backward as implied in " I expect you were hurt yesterday." Exploded. Often used in connection with idea, clew and the like. A clew can not explode. Farther. Is used exclusively with reference to dis- tance. In other connections write further; e. g. " He is farther away than you think." "Look further down the column." First. Almost always wrong to say the three first or the three second', write instead, the first three or the second three. Let "first" be first. Firstly. No such word. Write first. For The Purpose Of. Except in formal writing, the last three words are usually needless. Full Complement. FuU is redundant. Gentlemen. "Socially the term 'gentlemen' has become almost vulgar. It is certainly less employed by gentlemen than by inferior persons." — [All the Year Bound']. The best usage is, men and women instead of gentlemen and laaies. Got. Misused more than any word in the language. " I have got a pencil," is improper. " I have got" is in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred a vulgarism. WHITING FOR THE PRESS. 33 Gratuitous. Do not use for untrue, unreasonable, unfounded and the like. Grove. Means a smcdl wood, therefore, a grove of trees is incorrect; of trees is superfluous. Hence. The phrase from hence is often used. Urom, in this connection, is worse than useless. Inaugurate. In most cases begin is the word to write. To inaugurate means to receive or induct into office with solemn ceremonies. Individual. Is well used when members of a class are viewed as units of a whole; in other instances write man, woman ox person. Indorse. Do not use in the sense of sanction, ap- prove or applaud. A note of hand may be indorsed. In Order To. It is briefer and better to write to, in most sentences. JLady. Write woman, except where purely social distinctions are made. L "What! mounted Tom Flynn?" "No! the horse; and then I shook hands with him and rode off." "Shook hands with the horse, Billy?" "No, with Tom Flynn; and then I rode off up the Bowery, and who should I meet but Tom Hamblin; so I got off and told a boy to hold him bv the head." "What! hold Hamblin by the head?" "No, the horse; and then we went and had a drink together." "What! you and the horse?" "No, me and Hamblin; and after that I mounted him again, and went out of town." "What! mounted Hamblin again?" "No, no, the horse; and when I got to Burnham who should be there but Tom Flynn — he'd rode out ahead of me; so I told the hostler to tie him up." "Tie Tom Flynn up?" "No, the horse; and then we had a drink together." "You and the horse?" "No, me and Tom Flynn — say, look here ! Every time I say horse, you say Hamblin, and every time I say Flynn, you say horse. I'll be hanged if I tell you any more about it." WRITING FOR THE PRESS. 41 II. Verbs.— Should agree in number with its nom- inative, and not with its predicate; e. g., "Death is the wages of sin;" and "The wages of sin are death." After all forms of to be, use the same case as that which precedes it. "It was me," and "I know you to be he," are incorrect. Shall and Will. The use of shall and loill is a question much discussed. Probably no other two verbs in the English language have been so incessantly de- bated, yet the best authorities agree upon the subject. If the authorities and examples given below fail to make their proper use clear, five minutes spent with a text book on grammar will afford better satisfaction. Professor Whitney, of Tale College, says: " To denote simply something that is going to take place, we ordinarily use shall in the first person and will in the others. To use shall in the second and third per- son implies rather a promise, thus, < he shall go, rely upon me for that,' and when emphatic a determination on the part of the speaker." Richard Grant White, another good authority, in his work on "The Right Use of Words," says: "In announcing future action, we say I or we shall; you, he or they toill; and in declaring purpose on our part or on the part of another obligation or inevitable action which we mean to control, we say jTor we will, you, he, or they shall" Mathews, on "Words, Their Use and Abuse," makes the following distinction : "When the simple idea of future occurrence is ex- pressed, we use shall in the first person and will in the second and third." But " when the idea of compulsion or necessity is to be conveyed, a futurity connected with the will of the speaker, will must be employed in the first person and shall in the second and third." Swinton, in his " Grammar," says: 42 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. " In the second and third person the speaker asserts his will when he u^es shall, and waives his will when he uses will" Townsend, in his " Art of Speech," makes the follow- ing statement: " Shall in the second and third person expresses a promise, or a trust, as: ' He shall be punished for this.' I threaten, or promise to punish for this offense." From " Vulgarisms and Other Errors of Speech:" " So long as the speaker, either as the agent or the master of another, possesses the power to control, he can say I will, you shall, he shall. When he is neither the agent nor the master of another agent [viz., the c circumstance ' in the case], he must sav you will, he will? In brief, the forms Ishallj you will and he will merely express that which will take place ; Iioill, you shall and he shall express determination on the part of the speaker. In the first person, will signifies a promise. Would follows will and should, shall. III. Adverbs. — Should be placed as near as possible to the words they modify. Thus in the following — " It rather modified the structure of our sentences than the elements of our vocabulary," rather should follow sen- tences. Rather, only, neither and alike, are often misplaced. IV. Adjectives. — Many writers and speakers are very careless in the use of the degrees of adjectives. When two things are compared, use the comparative form; e. g. " He is the taller of the two men." Use the superlative degree when three, or more, things are compared; e. g., " Of the three men, he is the tallest." If you mean to describe appearance or quality use an adjective; e. g., "She looks pretty," etc. When you wish to express manner, use the adverb. Briefly, verbs of doing take the adverb; verbs of being and seeming WRITING FOR THE PRESS. 43 take the adjective; e. g., "He walks sloioly, her voice sounds harsh, he talks sorrowfully, his breath smells bad, its fur feels rough, and she acts strangely" V. Prepositions.— [n the use of prepositions fre- quent errors are made. The list given below embraces those used after certain words and which are commonly misused. Acquit of. — Formerly Exception to, at, or from. against.— Not/rom. Advantage of over.— Inure to.— Not in. Not above. Xeed of.— Not for. Against.— We contend Peculiar to.— Not from. against difficulties not Prejudice against. — toith them. Not to nor for. Bump against. — Not Pursuance of. — Not on. with nor to. Collide with. — Not Rely on, upon. — Not against. in. Contrary to.— Not from Resemblance to.— Not nor than. with. Differ from.— We dif- Similar to.— Not with. f er from not with. Trust in, to.— Not on. VI. Errors of Arrangement.— Laughable errors are often seen in print which occur because of the faulty arrangement of words. An excellent method of de- tecting misplaced words is to read your manuscript slowly in an audible tone. Some of the following illus- trations have been taken from newspapers. The ital- icized words are misplaced. " I saw a man talking to the Rev. Mr. B , who was so drunk he could hardly stand" " An unquestioned man of character." " The surgeon began the amputation after the wounded man had been placed on a bed with a knife." Belmont, Ga. ? boasts of a woman " who goes out and chops wood with her husband." We suppose the hus- band must be hatchet-faced. — New Haven News. 44 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. " A little girl was struck by some cars that were being switched in the yard and crushed" — Buffalo Express. A Maryland paper related that a few days ago a lady and gentleman caught fire from a brick in a buggy that was heated for the lady's comfort while on the way from Leonardtown. " I saw an old woman darning stockings with a Roman nose" Obscurity is often produced by the incorrect position of the adverbs and adverbial clauses. On this subject Blair makes the following remarks: " In regard to such adverbs as only, wholly, at least, ' the fact is that in common discourse, the tone and em- phasis we use in pronouncing them generally serves to show their reference, and to make the meaning clear; and hence we acquire a habit of throwing them in loosely in the course of a period. But, in writing, where a man speaks to the eye, and not to the ear, he ought to be more accurate; and so to connect these adverbs with the words which they qualify, as to put his meaning out of doubt, upon the first inspection." VII.— Words With Puzzling Plurals. Words adopted from foreign languages usually retain their plurals in English. No certain rule can be given, but the following methods will be of some assistance: The ending a is changed to m or ata; us to tj um, or on, to a; is to es or ides and x or ex is changed to ces or ices. Letters, figures and similar characters are made plural by adding J s. Ex. — a's, t's; 5's, 9's. VIII.— Rules for Spelling. 1. Words ending in e drop this letter when able is affixed, e. g. move, movable; the endings ce and ge, are exceptions, e. g., change, changeable, etc. 2. Words of one syllable, ending in a consonant having a single vowel before it, double the consonant; WRITING FOR THE PRESS. 45 as trim, trimming, etc. If a double vowel precedes the consonant, the derivative is not doubled, e. g. troop, trooper, etc. 3. Words of more than one syllable ending in a con- sonant, preceded by single vowel, having last syllable accented, double the consonant, e. g., permit, permitted. Exception — chagrin. 4. The words foretell, fulfill, distill, instill and willful, retain the 11 of their primitives. The 11 is retained in derivatives when the accent falls upon these words, e. g., dullness, willfid, skillful, etc. 5. Words of more than one syllable ending in I have but one I at the close, e. g., faithful, rightful, etc. When the accent falls on the last syllable, the I is doubled, e. g., befall, etc. Words ending in I double the letter for l y- 6. All verbs ending in ly, and nouns ending in ment, keep the e of their primitives, e. g., terse, tersely; con- fine, confinement, etc. The exceptions are words ending in dge, e. g., acknowledge, acknoioledgement, etc. 7. The participles of verbs ending in e drop this let- ter, e. g., have, having, save, saving, etc. Those ending in ee retain both, e. g., see, seeing, etc. 8. Nouns ending in y, with a vowel before this let- ter, form their plural by adding s, e. g., money, moneys, etc.; if y is preceded by a consonant, it is changed to ies, e. g., beauty, beauties, etc. 46 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. CHAPTER VI. NEWSPAPER ENGLISH. When the enormous amount of reading matter, daily given to the public, is considered, it is not strange that it is not of a high literary character. Editors and re- porters have not time to correct and polish their sen- tences as other writers have, and are not usually held to a strict personal account for accuracy of style and diction. I. Editorials. — In all newspapers a conspicuous portion of the space is reserved for editorial writing, in which the editors express their opinions on current topics. The style of composition suited for editorials is of a high order and admits of every excellence known to rhetoric. These columns of a paper are permeated with the personality of the editors, and their policy, knowledge and wisdom give it its power in influencing public opinion. One may be a first-class writer in certain departments of literature, and yet be totally unfitted for the respon- sible position of an editor. The requisites for success are many and comparatively few possess them. It is important that an editorial writer should have the abil- ity to rightly conceive himself as a public teacher. He must be not only a ready writer and a master of the graces and arts of the most finished rhetoric, but must have a specific knowledge of the entire range of sub- jects which come within the scope of his paper. He must be able to discuss facts and express opinions of them, assign causes and suggest remedies, explain, de- fend, condemn or commend, with force and ability. The degree and variety of talent required in editorial writ- WRITING FOR THE PRESS. 47 ing, as a general thing, would prove far more remuner- ative in other fields of labor. " The best writer " Escott says, " of leading articles, both for the reader and the newspaper proprietor, is the man who has the least of literary habit and temper- ament, and who lives in the midst of the whirl of con- temporary existence. So long as he can write clearly and pointedly, it is not necessary or even desirable that he should be a student of books. Indeed, book knowl- edge, qua book knowledge, ought not to assert its presence in the leading article on the theme of the time. References to immortal works and quotations from them are blemishes rather than merits — purple patches on the texture of timeous commentary, whose presence reminds the reader of his ' Maunder' s Treasury ' or his catechism. In other words, the first quality which we look for in the leading article is the thought and manner of the man of the world; the last quality which we wish is that of priggishness — and for journalistic purposes priggishness may be defined as the display of knowledge in such a way as makes the reader feel that the writer is his superior." II. Reporting;. — The chief excellencies of style required in reporting are clearness, condensation and accuracy. People generally read the news presented in the columns of a daily paper in haste, and the meaning of every item should be so expressed that " he may run that readeth it." No one is in the mood to puzzle his brain over some mysterious sentence in his morning paper. A clear and plain statement of an occurrence is always best. Perhaps the most serious fault to be found among news writers is a propensity to use slang words and phrases. Slang is often humorous, but it is seldom wit. Clearness is secured by proper construction of sentences and the use of simple words expressive of the meaning intended to be conveyed, 48 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. Failure in condensing is often a fault. Care should be taken not to suppress the particulars which give body and life to a statement of facts, as these particulars are just what is wanted by the reader. The condensation required refers to the number of words used in express- ing an item. A good reporter will express the item in half the number of words used by a novice, and the report will be clearer and more satisfactory in conse- quence of the pruning. Beginners will find it a safe rule, after having written a report, to go over it and strike out nearly one-half of the words. The useless words will be "that," "and," "very" and the like. Those who have not given this subject attention will be astonished at the skill of some reporters in conden- sation. Accuracy of language is essential to a well written report. Mistakes in accuracy may be attributed to in- appropriate words and faulty construction of sentences. A reporter, in relating the movements of a criminal, surprised his readers by the statement, that having bur- glarized a store "the thief took up the pavement, and disappeared!" Certainly a remarkable performance. The reader is referred to the chapters on "Style" and "Misused Words and Phrases." Ambitious flights of "fine writing" often mar what otherwise would be a well composed article. Short words are quickly written and invariably present their meaning to the mind better than those of several sylla- bles. There are many words and phrases much used by reporters which have become so hackneyed as to be condemned by the best writers. They have their appropriate place, but reporters will do well to avoid them. The following list contains a few of the more common ones: — "A female possessing more than ordinary attractions" for "a pretty woman." WRITING FOR THE PRESS. 49 "An interesting assortment of the feathered creation" for "a fine lot of poultry." "They partook of refreshment" for "lunched." "A gentleman of rare mental attainments" for "a well educated man." "The juvenile portion of the community," for "the young people." "The weaker sex" for "woman." "The Bard of Avon" for "Shakespeare." "Peregrination" for "walk." "Available resources" for "income." "Vociferation" for "cry." "Conflagration" for "fire." "Emporium" for "store." "Location" for "place." "In dividual" for "person." "Attired"/or "clad." "Encomium" for "praise." "Residence" for "house." "Window draperies" for "curtains." "Monumental marble" t /br "tombstone." "Recently deceased" for "lately dead." "Objectionable language" for "swearing." The Deer Isle (Me.) Gazette tells about two men getting lost and concludes with the paragraph: "AVe understand they did not find their way home until chan- ticleer in the adjoining barnyard sent forth his greetings to the auroral dawn." — It is probable the reporter meant to tell his readers that the men did not find their way home until morning. The list could be lengthened to an incredible extent, but the foregoing illustrations are sufficient to show that long words and phrases should be avoided. " There is another objection," says A. Arthur Reade, " to be urged against 'fine writing,' the printers in their hurry are apt to misinterpret the reporter's meaning, 50 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. and give a perfectly fresh and uhlooked for version of his report. It is to this mixture of fine writing on the part of the reporter, and hurry on the part of the printer that many of the mistakes that creep into the papers are to be attributed. One reporter, for instance, anxious to flatter a clergyman in his district, spoke of his 'cheery face beaming with satisfaction,' but must have been taken aback when he found it printed ' cherry face,' etc. Another reporter, thinking no doubt that it would be too commonplace to state that a newly married couple had started for the Continent to spend their honey-moon, announced this interesting event by the phrase < had gone to taste the sweets of their hymeneal union.' We can not say whether this ambitious flight of his proved as satisfactory as he had anticipated, seeing that the compositor read the expression as ' hy- meneal onion,' and so printed it. Many reporters seem to have a peculiar and quite erroneous notion of the duties they have to perform. Judging from the gush- ing nonsense which is often published, it would seem as if they felt themselves called upon to write romance or poetry, instead of chronicling simple facts and events that come to their knowledge. Were they to under- stand more clearly that this is all they are expected to do, and were to aim at writing their reports in a more matter-of-fact style, a great improvement would be effected. The simpler the language employed, the more easily is the report read, and the greater the pleasure experienced. It is not a mark of good, or clever, writing to use grandiose expressions, but rather the contrary. That this gushing style is affected most by persons w r ho have an imperfect knowledge of the language, is seen from the continual use of mixed meta- phors and false quotations that appear in their reports." III. Miscellaneous Matter.— The space outside of the editorials and news items (excepting advertisements^) WRITIXG FOR THE PRESS. 51 is filled with matter exceedingly varied in character. Contributors can not do better than study the class of articles which a journal accepts, before writing for its columns. Articles of information upon any topic, especially if well written, are acceptable to newspapers. In choice of subjects sketches, essays, bright short stories, discussions of topics of the day and matters of general interest, are required. Their style and compo- sition, of course, should depend upon the character of the paper, or magazine, for which they are written, Careful observance of the rules and suggestions of the preceding chapters will enable almost any one to properly construct subject matter. 52 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. CHAPTER VII. HOW TO PREPARE MANUSCRIPT. The proper preparation of manuscript is a matter of great importance. Thousands of good articles are un- available for the reason that they are presented in bad form and, perhaps, many which are poorly composed find their way to the compositor because they are care- fully prepared. Those who follow the rules given below will not violate the time-honored customs of printing offices. I. Use unsized paper about six by nine inches. Put your name and address upon the upper right hand corner of the first page. II. Never write on both sides of the paper. The reason for this is, that it is much more con- venient to the compositor to have it written on one side only, as few articles of any length are given to one man to set entirely. When " copy " goes to the printing office it is cut into comparatively small pieces called " takes," in order that it may the sooner be put in type and got ready for the press. It will readily be seen that if a sheet of manuscript written on both sides were cut into four pieces, duly numbered, whatever might be written on the back side of the sheet could not be made available for putting into type until the first page had been set, and even then only after a good deal of trouble. And as for re-writing anything of this kind in the edi- torial room, it is not once to be thought of, much less done. Howsoever meritorious an article may be there- fore, its destiny is sealed, so far as its publication is con- cerned, by being written on both sides of a sheet. III. Leave a margin of half an inch at the top and WRITING FOR THE PRESS. 53 bottom of the page. In the composing-room the pages are often pasted together for the convenience of the compositors. IV. Write legibly with lines about three-quarters of an inch apart. This leaves room for editorial inter- lineations, etc. By writing illegibly you injure editors, compositors, proof-readers, and frequently yourself. V. Be careful to write and spell proper names cor- rectly, otherwise you will cause great annoyance. Be especially careful to form the capitals Zand will be appreciated by busy people. Abandon, forsake, leave, desert Keep, hold, pursue. Abhor, detest, hate, loathe Admire, enjoy, love, covet. Abide, dwell, stay, live Migrate, move, journey. Ability, power, skill, talent Weakness, incapacity. Abject, mean, low, vile Noble, worthy, exalted. Abode, dwelling, home, domicile Halt, perch, tent. Abound, abundant, plenteous Lack, scarce, few, dry. Above, over, beyond, exceeding Below, within. Abridge, lessen, contract, shorten Amplify, expand. Abrupt, sudden, curt Undulating, smooth, easy. Abscond, flee, bolt, decamp Show, emerge, remain. Absolute, positive, certain Imperfect, conditioned. Absurd, foolish, silly, ridiculous Sensible, wise. Abusive, harsh, insolent, rude Respectful, kind. Accident, chance, casualty, mishap Purpose, law. Accomplice, abettor, companion, ally Adversary, rival. Accomplish, finish, perform Fail of, baffle, frustrate. 78 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. Accord, agree, grant, consent Disagree, differ, deny. Accurate, correct, actual, true Careless, defective. Accustom, familiarize, inure Estrange, wean, alienate. Acknowledge, confess, avow Disclaim, deny, disavow. Acquiesce, consent, agree Dissent, demur, object. Acquit, discharge, dismiss Accuse, charge, bind. Active, nimble, agile Slow, sluggish, heavy. Adhere, stick, hang, hold Disunite, part, sever. Adore, worship, praise Abhor, despise, execrate. Adorn, embellish, ornament Mar, spoil, deform. Adrift, afloat, loose Fast, lashed, tight, secure. Advance, proceed, progress Retard, hinder, withhold. Advantage, benefit, gain Loss, drawback, defeat. Adverse, contrary, against Favorable, amicable. Advise, counsel, urge Dissuade, defer, remonstrate. Affliction, distress, trial Blessing, pleasure, relief. Afford, yield, produce Retain, deny, withhold. Afraid, fearful, timid Fearless, indifferent, bold. Agony, pain, grief Comfort, rupture, joy, relief. Agree, concur, suit, accord Differ, protest, dissent. Aid, help, support Oppose, thwart, baffle, deter. Alacrity, cheerful-readiness Slowness, repugnance. Alarm, apprehension Confidence, security, quiet. Allude, hint, refer — —Specify, mention, state, declare. Allure, decoy, entice Alarm, terrify, scare, warn. Amazement, astonishment, surprise Composure. Ambiguous, doubtful, uncertain Obvious, plain, clear. Amiable, charming, friendly Hateful, churlish. Ample, spacious, abundant Narrow, insufficient, scant. Amusement, sport, recreation Toil, fatigue, labor. Angry, provoked, vexed Peaceful, forbearing, calm. Anguish, agony, distress Ease, pleasure, solace. Animation, buoyancy, liveliness Dullness, deadness. Animosity, enmity, hostility -Sympathy, friendship. Annoy, vex, tease, irritate Soothe, gratify, foster. Answer, reply, response Question, query, challenge. SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS. 79 Antagonist, adversary, foe Aider, ally, accomplice., Anticipate, foresee, meet Remember, recollect, recall. Antipathy, aversion, dislike Sympathy, harmony. Anxiety, care, solicitude Apathy, ease, nonchalance. Aperture, opening, hole Closure, blank, blocking up. Apology, excuse, plea Imputation, offense, insult. Apparent, clear, evident Uncertain, inapparent. Applause, plaudit, encore Obloquy, condemnation. Appreciate, prize, value Misjudge, ignore, undervalue. Apprehension, fear, dread Assurance, confidence. Approbation, approval Protest, disavowal, refusal. Approve, commend, esteem Blame, censure, dislike. Arbitrary, exact, absolute Mild, lenient, obliging. Ardent, eager, fervent Cool, indifferent, apathetic. Arduous, difficult, hard Easy, trivial, easy, light. Arrange, place, class Derange, disturb, jumble. Arrogance, conceit, haughtiness Bashfulness. Artful, crafty, cunning Simple, artless, innocent. Artifice, cheat, trick Fairness, candor, simplicity. Ascribe, impute, attribute Deny, refuse, disconnect. Ask, demand, solicit Disclaim, waive, forego, claim. Aspect, air, mien Obverse, concealed, non-appearance. Asperity, harshness, sourness Mildness, softness. Asperse, calumniate, defame --Praise, defend, eulogize. Aspire, aim, desire Apathy, inertia, aversion. Assault, assail, attack Defense, resistance, repulsion. Assent, consent, agree Dissent, difference, protest. Asseverate, affirm, declare Deny, contradict. Assist, aid, help Hinder, resist, oppose, antagonize. Associate, partner, companion Rival, alien, foe. Assurance, confidence, impudence Distrust, timidity. Assure, promise, vouch Misinform, mislead, deceive. Asylum, refuge, retreat Exposure, pitfall, peril. Atrocious, cruel, flagrant Laudable, noble, admirable. Attain, acquire, gain, get— — Lose, abandon, fail, resign. Attempt, effort, endeavor Disregard, neglect, shun, 80 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. Attentive, careful, heedful Neglectful, unmindful. Attitude, position, posture Evolution, movement. Attract, allure, draw Repel, estrange, alienate. Audacity, boldness, rash Timidity, cowardly, cautious. Augment, grow, increase Lessen, contract, reduce. Auspicious, favorable Abortive, hopeless. Authentic, genuine, true Spurious, false, untrue. Avarice, cupidity, greed Liberality, generosity. Aversion, dislike, antipathy Love, affection. Avidity, eagerness, greediness Coldness, antipathy. Avocation, recreation, pleasure Toil, work, labor. Avoid, elude, shun Seek, court, approach, affect. Avow, confess, acknowledge Oppose, contradict. Awake, arouse, excite Allay, pacify, compose, quiet. Awe, dread, fear Disrespect, fearlessness, contempt. Awkward, unhandy, clumsy Neat, clever, skillful. Babbling, loquacity, talkativeness Reticence, reserve. Bad, evil, wicked Right, virtuous, benevolent, good. Baffle, confuse, defeat Abet, enforce, promote, assist. Banter, ridicule, rally Discourse, adulate, compliment. Bare, naked, scanty Dressed, robed, draped, full. Bargain, trade, barter Loss, misprofit, waste. Base, low, mean, vile Lofty, refined, noble, honored. Bashful, diffident, modest Bold, impudent, forward. Basis, foundation, ground Superstructure, statement. Battle, combat, contest Peace, truce, arbitrament. Beam, gleam, ray- Shimmer, glitter, scintillate, flash. Bear, endure, support Drop, resign, resent, reject. Beau, gallant, sweetheart Stranger, misogamist. Beautiful, fine, handsome Ugly, coarse, hideous. Beautify, adorn, decorate Deform, denude, deface. Becoming, befitting, comely Unseemly, unsuitable. Beg, beseech, entreat, implore Exact, extort, require. Begin, commence, originate Complete, terminate. Beguile, amuse, deceive Guide, enlighten, undeceive. Behavior, demeanor, conduct Misdemeanor. SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS. 81 Behold, observe, inspect Disregard, miss, overlook. Belief, conviction, opinion Dissent, rejection. Below, beneath, under Above, over, aloft. Bend, crook, alter Stiff, straight, continue. Bequeath, devise, give Withhold, transference. Bestow, confer, give Withdraw, reserve, appropriate. Bewail, bemoan, lament Exult, rejoice, welcome. Blame, censure, reproach Acquit, approve, exonerate. Blameless, innocent, pure Guilty, faulty, criminated. Bland, gentle, mild Harsh, abrupt, rough. Blemish, defect, fault Purity, unsulliedness, honor. Blunder, error, mistake Accuracy, success, exactness. Boasting, vaunting, pomp Reserve, reticent, modesty. Boisterous, vehement, violent Peaceful, calm, serene. Bold, audacious, intrepid Timid, fearful, shy, bashful. Bondage, imprisonment Freedom, independence. Border, brink, edge — Interior, centre, space, tract. Bound, limit, restrict Enlarge, extend, spread out. Bounty, generosity, liberty Closeness, stinginess. Brave, bold, courageous Cowardly, discourteous. Break, fracture, destroy Heal, conjoin, conserve. Brief, short, concise Long, protracted, extended. Bright, brilliant, shining Opaque, dull, dead, muddy. Broil, affray, quarrel Order, tranquillity, pacification. Bruise, crush, pound Conserve, conjoin, protect. Build, construct, erect — Derange, demolish, overthrow. Bulk, magnitude, size Smallness, littleness, tenuity. Burning, ardent, fiery Apathetic, cold, indifferent. Business, employment, vocation Recreation, leisure. Bustle, hurry, tumult Idleness, indolence, quiet. Buy, purchase, barter Sell, vend, hawk, retail. Cajole, coax, flatter, wheedle Chide, rate, scold, warn. Calamity, disaster, misfortune Blessing, God-send. Calculate, compute, estimate Guess, conjecture, stake. Calling, occupation, trade Avocation, amusement. Callous, hard, unfeeling- — Soft, easy, mild, tender. 82 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. Calm, quiet, soothe Excite, ruffle, stir, agitate. Cancel, abolish, revoke Enforce, enact, confirm. Candid, artless, frank Unfair, insincere, reserved. Capacious, ample, spacious Narrow, contracted. Caprice, fancy, freak Purpose, conviction, seriousness. Captious, peevish, petulant Flattering, laudatory. Captivate, attract, charm Exorcise, disillusionize. Care, anxiety, concern Neglect, indifference. Careless, heedless, thoughtless Mindful, careful,wary. Carry, bear, convey Drop, refuse, reject, resist. Case, condition, situation Relation, dependence. Catch, capture, grasp Lose, miss, escape, lost. Cause, motive, origin, source Effect, consequence. Caution, care, warning Unguardedness, neglect. Celebrated, famous, renowned Obscure, unknown. Celerity, quickness, speed Slowness, tardiness. Censure, blame, reproach Praise, commendation. Ceremony, form, rite Formlessness, strangeness. Chance, accident^ opportunity Rule, sequence. Change, alteration, variety Retain, fix, conserve, hold. Changeable, fickle, variable Firm, inflexible, constant. Character, reputation Disrepute, anonymousness. Charge, accuse, commission Clear, free, discharge. Charm, captivate, delight Annoy, repel, disgust. Chastity, purity, modesty Sinfulness, impurity. Cheat, deception, fraud Truth, reality, verity, fact. Check, curb, impede Loosen, advance, encourage. Cheer, comfort, encourage Dejection, irritate, hinder. Cherish, foster, shelter Stifle, discard, abandon. Chew, masticate, eat Gorge, bolt whole, gulp. Chiefly, principally, mainly Partially, slightly. Choke, smother, stifle Educe, bruit, ventilate. Choice, option, selection Compulsion, necessity. Circumstance, instance, event Deed, case, transaction. Circumspect, cautious, wary Heedless, careless. Circumstantial, minute Positive, general, loose. SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS. 83 Civil, courteous, polite Clownish, boorish. Claim, pretense, right— — Waive, disavow, disclaim. Clandestine, hidden, private Open, aboveboard. Clear, apparent, evident Dubious, turbid, indistinct. Clever, skillful, talented Weak, stupid, dull, slow. Climb, ascend, mount Drop, fall, tumble, slip. Cling, adhere, hold, hang Relax, recede, abandon. Close, compact, firm Wide, open, rarified, loose. Clumsy, awkward, uncouth-- — Skillful, expert, artistic. Coalition, alliance, union Disruption, dissociation. Coax, cajole, flatter — Intimidate, impel, coerce. Coherent, connected, consistent Rambling, illogical. Coincide, agree, concern Differ, protest, dissent. Cold, frigid, chilly Warm, ardent, impassioned. Color, hue, tinge, tint Achromatism, paleness. Combination, league, union Division, dissolution. Comfort, console, assuage- — Annoy, irritate, aggravate. Comic, droll, ludicrous Serious, grave, sad, sorrowful. Command, behest, order Supplicate, beg, entreat. Commend, praise, laud, extol — Blame, condemn. Commensurate, equal, adequate Unequal, insufficient. Comment, criticism, explanation Disregard, silence. Commodious, suitable, convenient Inconvenient. Commotion, disturbance, tumult Calm, tranquillity. Communicate, impart, disclose- — Suppress, conceal. Commune, fellowship, company Dismemberment. Compact, agreement, bond Understanding, promise. Compassion, pity, sympathy Cruelty, antipathy. Compel, necessitate, oblige Persuade, convince, coax. Compendious, s"hort, succinct Diffuse, cumbrous. Compensation, reward, pay Deprivation, damage. Competent, able, capable Unequal, incompetent. Competition, rivalry, emulation Association, alliance. Complete, finish, perfect Partial, unfinished. Complex, intricate, compound Plain, simple, direct. Compliment, praise, homage Insult, discourtesy. 84 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. Comprehend, grasp, understand Misunderstand. Compress, press, condense Expand, dilate, diffuse. Compulsion, force, coercion Coaxing, alluring. Compunction, remorse, regret Satisfaction. Compute, count, estimate Conjecture, guess, surmise. Concede, grant, yield Refuse, deny, contest. Conceal, disguise, secrete Reveal, expose, exhibit. Conceit, fancy, pride Reality, verity, simplicity. Conception, imagination, idea Object, form, thing. Concern, business, care Indifference, disregard. Conciliate, reconcile, propitiate Estrange, displease. Condense, abbreviate, abridge Amplify, enlarge. Condescension, humility Pride, haughtiness. Conduce, lead, tend Counteract, defeat, neutralize. Confederate, accomplice, ally Rival, foe, adversary. Confess, avow, acknowledge Disaver, deny, suppress. Confide, rely, trust, believe Doubt, distrust. Confirm, establish, strengthen Cancel, repeal, annul. Confused, perplexed, mixed Unabashed, systematic. Confute, disprove, refute Prove, confirm, establish. Conjecture, surmise, think Computation, calculation. Connection, tie, intercourse Disjunction, dissociation. Conscious, aware, sensible Unaware, insensible. Consent, comply, agree Dissent, decline, refuse. Consequence, effect, result Cause, origin, premise. Consider, reflect, ponder Disregard, inattentive. Console, solace, comfort Annoy, trouble, aggravate. Conspicuous, high, eminent Invisible, microscopic. Constitute, appoint, compose Dissolve, disorganize. Consult, advise, confer Resolve, dictate, explain. Consume, absorb, destroy Reject, discard, supersede. Consummation, perfection, completion Neglect, undo. Contact, touch, junction Separation, isolation. Contain, embrace, include Exclude, extrude, drop. Contagious, infectious Sporadic, endemic, preventive. Contaminate, corrupt, pollute Purify, cleanse, clarify. SYNONYMS and antonyms. 85 Contemplate, muse, meditate Ignore, overlook. Contemptible, paltry, mean Honorable, respectable. Contend, argue, strive — -Resign, concede, allow, waive. Contiguous, adjacent, close Remote, distant, separate. Continual, constant, incessant Irregular, variable. Contract, abbreviate, curtail Expand, dilate, elongate. Contradict, deny, dispute State, confirm, maintain. Contrary, adverse, opposite — —Agreeing, compatible. Contrition, penitence, remorse Reprobation, obduracy. Control, regulate, restrain License, free, neglect. Convene, convoke, assemble Disperse, dismiss. Convenient, adapted, suitable Awkward, useless. Conversation, talk, colloquy Speech, oration. Converse, speak, words Keep silent. Convey, bear, carry Bring, fetch, stow, deposit Conviction, persuasion, belief Doubt, misgiving. Copious, abundant, plentiful Scarce, scant, deficient. Cordial, hearty, sincere Cold, distant, ceremonious. Correct, amend, rectify Falsify, corrupt, garble. Corroborate, strengthen, fortify Weaken, shake. Costly, precious, valuable Valueless, cheap, worthless. Counsel, advice, consultation Misguidance, betrayal. Counteract, defeat, frustrate Aid, help, co-operate. Counterfeit, false, imitation Exposure, verity, fact. Courage, bravery, heroism Timidity, pusillanimity. Course, career, history Unsuccess, miscarriage. Courteous, affable, polite Rude, boorish, uncouth. Covenant, agreement, contract — -Promise, intimation. Coward, poltroon, craven Champion, hero, dare-devil. Craftly, artful, cunning Open, candid, frank, sincere. Crave, beg, implore, entreat Demand, insist, require. Cringe, crouch, bow, stoop Face, confront, defy, dare. Crisis, conjuncture, exigency Provision, preparation. Criticism, comment, examine — -Overlook, survey. Crooked, curved, bent Straight, linear, direct. Cross, petulant, fretful Amiable, good-humored. 86 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. Cruel, barbarous, brutal Humane, merciful. Culpable, blamable, faulty Blameless, innocent. Cunning, duplicity, wily Unclesigning, artlessness. Cure, heal, restore Harm, hurt, wound, ulcerate. Curious, inquisitive, prying Indifferent, uninquiring. Curse, execration, malediction Blessing, benediction. Cursory, slight, superficial Searching, minute. Custom, fashion, practice Law, non-observance. Dampness, moisture, humidity Dry, parched, aridity. Dark, gloomy, obscure Fair, light, bright, luminous. Date, period, time Neverness, eternity, non-duration. Deadly, fatal, mortal Vital, healthful, wholesome. Dealing, trade, traffic Stagnation, lack, bankruptcy. Dearth, scarcity, want Plentiful, copious, ample. Debar, exclude, hinder Inclose, admit, permit, allow. Debilitate, enfeeble, weaken Strengthen, invigorate. Decay, decline, wane— —Grow, increase, enlarge. Declare affirm, assert Conceal, suppress, withhold. Decorate, adorn, embellish Mar, spoil, deface. Decoy, allure, entice Warn, guide, instruct, disabuse. Dedicate, consecrate, devote Desecrate, misconvert. Deduction, inference, conclusion Inception, initiation. Defame, slander, vilify Extol, laud, praise, panegyrize. Defect, blemish, fault Purity, intactness, perfection. Defer, delay, postpone Expedite, hasten, despatch. Defile, corrupt, pollute Purify, clarify, cleanse, lave. Definite, exact, limited Vague, confused, unspecified. Degrade, disgrace, lower Raise, honor, enhance. Degree, class, rank Space, mass, magnitude, numbers. Delicate, fine, tender Coarse, rough, harsh, rude, Delude, cheat, deceive Enlighten, advise, guide. Denote, betoken, imply Mislead, belie, misdeclare. Deprecate, decry, derogate Extol, laud, exaggerate. Derision, scorn, mockery Respect, regard, admiration. Describe, narrate, represent- Confound, mystify. Description, account Non-description, misnomer. SYX0XYMS AND ANTONYMS. 87 Desperate, careless, hopeless Calm, cautious. Despicable, pitiful, vile Honorable, respectable. Destitute, bare, scanty— — Ample, bountiful, full, liberal. Detect, discover, find Miss, lose, ignore, misobserve. Detest, abhor, loathe, hate Desire, like, long for, love. Deviate, digress, wander Continue, progress, advance. Devout, holy, pious Irreligious, impious, profane. Dexterity, ability, aptness Incapacity, unreadiness. Difficulty, perplexity, trial Triviality, trifle, relief. Diffident, bashful, modest Forward, meretricious. Diligent, active, persevering Idle, inert, inattentive. Disaster, calamity, misfortune God-send, blessing. Disclose, divulge, reveal Cover, conceal, suppress. Discredit, disgrace, dishonor Praise, honor, merit. Disdain, contempt, scorn Respect, reverence. Disguise, conceal, dissemble Semblance, appearance. Disgust, aversion, dislike Liking, fondness, partiality. Dishonor, shame, obloquy Nobility, fame, esteem, Display, parade, show Hide, conceal, dissemble. Displease, offend, vex, annoy Delight, please. Distaste, aversion, disgust Congeniality, sympathy. Distracted, confused, disturbed— — United, composed. Disturb, annoy, trouble, worry Soothe, pacify, quiet. Doubt, hesitation, uncertainty Certainty 3 decision. Dreadful, awful, fearful Encouraging, assuring. Droop, fade, languish Revive, flourish, luxuriate. Dumb, mute, silent Clatter, tumult, uproar, noisy. Eager, ardent, earnest Indifferent, cold, trifling. Ease, facility, rest Trouble, difficulty, disquiet. Eccentric, odd, singular Regular, common, ordinary. Edifice, building, structure Ruin, heap, demolition. Elegant, beautiful, graceful Deformed, rude. Embarrass, perplex, puzzle Expedite, facilitate. Emblem, figure, symbol Disguise, blind, ruse, decoy. Embrace, clasp, hug, grasp Exclude, reject, except. Emotion, agitation, feeling Insensibility. 88 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. Enchant, charm, fascinate Disgust, repel, horrify. Endeavor, trial, attempt Failure, misadventure. Endless, eternal, perpetual Brief, transient. Endurance, fortitude, patience Impatience, faintness. Energy, power, strength Indolence, sloth, weakness. Enmity, animosity, hatred — Friendship, affection, love. Enrapture, attract, charm Disgust, nauseate, horrify. Entangle, ensnare, entrap Unravel, free, extricate. Envy, jealousy, suspicion -Magnanimity, generousness. Error, blunder, fault Truth, accuracy, correctness. Esteem, respect, revere*, value Disregard, dislike. Ever, always, continual, forever Never. Evidence, proof, token, sign Surmise, refutation. Exact, demand, extort, insist Disclaim, waive, forego. Excellence," goodness, perfection Depravity, evil. Excite, arouse, irritate, kindle Soothe, pacify. Expedient, essential, necessary Detriment, inutility. Expert, adroit, clever, ready Clumsy, awkward. Extol, applaud, praise Blame, censure, reprove. Facetious, jocose, jocular Dull, grave, serious, sombre. Fair, clear, equitable, just— — Foul, unfair, fraudulent. Faith, belief, trust, creed Dissent, distrust, unbelief. Fanatic, enthusiast, bigot Skeptic, unbeliever, cynic. Fancy, caprice, conceit Fact, verity, truth, reality. Fascinate, bewitch, attract — -Disenchant, exorcise. Fatal, deadly, mortal Wholesome, vitalizing, harmless. Fearful, awful, dreadful Alluring, assuring. Feeble, infirm, weak -Strong, robust, active, effective. Fertile, abundant, fruitful Sterile, barren, fruitless. Fervor, ardor, zeal, warmth— —Apathy, indifference. Fiction, fabrication, invention Fact, truth, verity. First, earliest, primitive Last, subsequent, lowest. Fitted, adapted, suited Unsuited, unmatched. Flattery, adulation, sycophancy Obloquy, calumny. Fleeting, speedy, transitory Slow, sluggish, lingering. Flexible, yielding, pliant, lithe Rigid, stiff, inelastic. SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS. 89 Fragile, brittle, frail, delicate Tough, stout, strong. Frailty, failing, weakness Strength, power, nerve. Free, liberate, rescue, loose Fettered, bound, held. Fright, alarm, terror, dread Confidence, boldness. Gay, cheerful, sprightly Melancholy, sad, grave, dull. Genius, ability, talent, skill Stupidity, imbecility. Genteel, polite, refined, elegant Rude, boorish. Gift, donation, present Reservation, refusal, purchase. Give, bestow, confer, grant Refuse, retain, deny. Glance, glimpse, look, wink Stare, contemplate, scan. Glitter, sparkle, glister Beam, Shine, gleam, glow. Grave, important, serious, sober Joyous, merry. Grieve, afflict, lament, pain Ease, console, rejoice. Guard, defend, protect, shield Betray, endanger. Guest, visitant, visitor Entertainer, host. Handsome, graceful, beautiful Uncomely, ill-looking. Happiness, bliss, felicity Misery, suffering, woe. Harass, distress, molest Comfort, solace, relieve. Harm, damage, hurt, wrong Benefit, boon, reparation. Hasty, angry, passionate, fiery Slow, thoughtful. Hateful, execrable, odious Lovable, enticing. Hazard, chance, venture, risk Safety, certainty. Hear, hearken, listen, heed Disregard, ignore, refuse. Hearty, cordial, sincere Reserved, cold, insincere. Help, aid, assist, succor Oppose, obstruct, frustrate. Hesitate, falter, pause, waver Decide, determine, run. Hidden, concealed, occult Open, exposed, seen. Hilarity, mirth, cheerfulness Despair, melancholy. Honesty, frankness, integrity Trickery, insincerity. Hostile, adverse, inimical Friendly, kindly, concord. Hostility, animosity, enmity Congeniality, kindness. Humble, modest, unpretending— Lofty, pretentious. Idea, conception, thought Object, subject, reality. Ideal, mental, fanciful, unreal Physical, visible, actual. Ignorant, illiterate, untaught Wise, well-informed. Ill, misfortune, sick, evil Well, healthy, blessing. 90 SUCCESS FUL WRITING. Illusion, delusion, deception Body, substance, reality. Imagine, apprehend, conceive Represent, depict. Imitate, copy, mimic, portray Caricature, distort. Immaterial, unimportant, trifling Physical, essential. Impair, weaken, lessen Enhance, improve, augment. Impatient, eager, vehement Negative, inert, passive. Impeach, arraign, censure Acquit, absolve, abet. Impertinent, insolent, officious Appropriate, proper. Impudent, bold, impertinent Servile, deferential. Inactive, sluggish, lazy, heavy Brisk, nimble, lively. Incident, circumstance, event Cause, antecedent. Indicate, mark, show, specify Conceal, contradict. Indigence, need, poverty Wealthy, monied, affluence. Indignity, affront, outrage, insult Defence, homage. Inexorable, relentless, merciless Lenient, indulgent. Infamy, ignominy, disgrace Celebrity, honor, renown. Infatuation, fatuity, self-deception Sagacity, sanity. Inflame, kindle, excite, arouse Quench, allay, quiet. Ingenious, skillful, clever Unskillful, uninventive. Innocent, sinless, harmless, pure Faulty, corrupt. Innocuous, inoffensive, wholesome Obnoxious, foul. Irony, satire, sarcasm Compliment, seriousness. Jargon, lingo, patois, cant Speech, eloquence. Joke, jest, witticism, fun Earnest, seriousness. Joy, pleasure, delight, gaiety Sorrow, grief, misery. Justice, equity, right Wrong, partiality, unfairness. Keen, acute, sharp, cutting Blunt, dull, blind, obtuse. Kill, slay, murder, deaden Vivify, reanimate. Kin, race, kindred, family Strangership, inaffinity. Knave, rogue, cheat, rascal Gentleman, innocent. Labor, toil, work, task Ease, recreation, avocation. Laconic, brief, concise, curt Prolix, wordy, prosy. Lament, mourn, bemoan Welcome, hail, rejoice. Languid, faint, weary, spiritless Vigorous, active. Lascivious, lewd, wanton Pure, chaste, continent. Latent, hidden, secret, inherent Visible, apparent. SYNONYMS AND AUTONYMS. 91 Laughable, funny, ludicrous Serious, grave, weighty. Lavish, wasteful, squander Husband, hoard, treasure. Learning, knowledge, erudition Ignorance, intuition. Legend, fable, fiction History, fact, actual knowledge. Lethargy, stupor, torpor Vigilance, alacrity, activity. Licentious, voluptuous, dissolute Temperate, strict. Lie, falsehood, fabrication Truth, fact, veracity. Life, vitality, existence, duration— Mortality, death. Linger, tarry, lag, wait Speed, haste, proceed, press. Liquid, fluid, flowing, watery Solid, congealed, hard. Little, diminutive, small, tiny Big, bulky, enormous. Lonely, dreary, forlorn, desolate Cheerful, animated. Look, see, behold, observe Overlook, misobserve. Lot, fate, doom, fortune— Law, provision, design. Love, affection, passion, devotion Hatred, dislike. Lover, wooer, suitor, sweetheart Husband.wif e, mate. Lovely, charming, pleasing, amiable Hateful, hideous. Low, depressed, base, abject Elevated, high minded. Lunatic, madman, maniac Solon, philosopher, genius. Lunacy, insanity, aberration, mania Sanity, reason. Lurid, murky, lowering Bright, luminous, splendid. Lurk, hide, skulk, lie Rise, show, emerge, flash. Luscious, sweet, delicious, sugary Sour, bitter, acrid. Lustre, brightness, brilliancy Darkness, obscuration. Luxurious, voluptuous, pleasurable Hard, painful. Luxury, effeminacy, wantonness Hardship, stoicism. Madness, frenzy, fury, rage Calmness, soberness. Magnificence, grand, splendid Paltry, little, tawdry. Marriage, matrimony, nuptuals Celibacy, virginity. Marvel, wonder, prodigy Farce, cipher, bagatelle. Massive, solid, huge, vast Slight, petty, frail, airy. Maudlin, intoxicated, mellow Sensible, sober, dry. Maxim, axiom, adage, rule Absurdity, paradox. Maximum, zenith, acme Minimum, commencement. Melody, harmony, music Discord, dissonance, noise. Melt, dissolve, fuse, flow Consolidate, crystallize. 92 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. Memory, recollection, remembrance Forgetfulness. Merciless, cruel, pitiless Humane, forbearing. Mercy, lenity, compassion Exaction, harshness. Merry, joyous, mirthful Gloomy, dismal, disconsolate. Method, mode, system, process Disorder, empiricism. Mien, look, air, aspect Character, disposition, being. Mild, moderate, lenient Violent, wild, harsh, fierce. Miserly, avaricious, penurious Liberal, munificent. Mist, fog, obscurity Brightness, clearness, lucidity. Mistake, blunder, error Truth, accuracy, correctness. Mix, mingle, blend, confuse Separate, sift, classify. Moan, wail, lamentation, grief Hail, rejoice. Modern, new, recent, late Bygone, former, ancient. Moist, damp, humid, wet Arid, dry, parched, burnt. Molest, trouble, disturb Soothe, pacify, caress, pet. Monster, brute, fiend, demon Venus, Adonis, angel. Morose, gloomy, sullen, surly Genial, pleasant. Motive, cause, purpose, impulse Action, result, deed. Muse, reflect, meditate, think Stir, act, move. Mutilate, deface, injure, mar Restore, mend, repair. Mutual, reciprocal, common One-sided, unreciprocated. Mysterious, dark, hidden Clear, plain, obvious. Mystery, secret, enigma Solution, matter-of-fact. Myth, fable, legend Fact, history, narrative. Naked, exposed, uncovered, nude Dressed, robed. Narrow, confined, limited, scant Wide, broad, ample. Noisy, clamorous, loud, stunning Still, soft, subdued. Notion, conception, idea, belief Missapprehension. Nourish, cherish, nurture, foster Starve, blight, kill. Nuisance, annoyance, pest, plague Blessing, pleasure. Nutriment, food, sustenance Poison, detriment. Oblique, diagonal, angular Straight, rectilineal. Obscene, impure, indecent, lewd Pure, modest. Odd, peculiar, queer, quaint Usual, regular, normal. Odious, offensive, hateful Delectable, grateful. Odor, scent, perfume, fragrance Inodorous. SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS. 93 Offend, displease, vex, nettle Conciliate, gratify. Offence, indignity, insult Defence, guiltlessness. Omen, sign, portent, augury Forefend, preclude. Onerous, burdensome, laborious Light, easy, trivial. Operation, action, performance Cessation, inaction. Opprobrium, disgrace, infamy Praise, popularity. Option, choice, election, wish Obligation, compulsion. Organize, arrange, constitute Break up, dismember. Ornate, decorated, embellished Plain, bare, bald. Oscillate, vibrate, swing Still, quiet, stationary. Pacify, calm, quiet, appease Exasperate, agitate. Paint, depict, portray Caricature, misportray. Pale, pallid, wan, white Ruddy, high-colored, rosy. Palpable, perceptible, plain Ethereal, invisible. Pang, paroxysm, throe, agony Pleasure, gratification. Panic, fright, terror, dread Confidence, reassurance. Parasite, flatterer, sycophant Detractor, traducer. Pardon, absolve, acquit, forgive Condemn, punish. Passion, anger, excitement, feeling Coolness, apathy. Passionate, excitable, fervent Deliberate, impassive. Passive, calm, resigned, patient Active, vehement. Pathetic, affection, touching- — Ludicrous, unaffecting. Patience, endurance, resignation Repining, rebellion. Pedantic, priggish, vain L T naffected, unassuming. Peevish, cross, fretful, petulant Good-natured. Penalty, punishment, retribution Reward, premium. Pensive, meditative, thoughtful Joyous, thoughtless. Penury, need, poverty, want Competence, affluence. Perceive, discern, distinguish Misobserve, overlook. Peril, danger, risk, hazard Security, certainty. Perpetual, constant, unceasing Inconstant, periodic. Perplex, confuse, puzzle Enlighten, simplify. Persuade, urge, exhort, allure Deter, indispose. Perverse, cross, wayward Complacent, governable. Pet, darling, idol, jewel Horror, bugbear, scarecrow. Petty, small, trifling, mean Large, magnificent. 94 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. Pious, devout, religious, godly Profane, irreligious. Pique, malice, spite, rancor Welcome, satisfaction. Placid, calm, serene, quiet Troubled, ruffled, stormy. Plan, contrivance, device, scheme Execution, result. Pledge, promise, vow, warrant Abjure, protest. Plot, cabal, conspiracy, scheme Blunder, bungle. Poison, envenom, taint, pollute Purify, disinfect. Polite, civil, courteous, polished Uncouth, boorish. Pompous, lofty, inflated, showy Unpretending, plain. Ponder, muse, reflect, weigh Guess, coujecture. Portrait, picture, likeness Original. Postpone, defer, delay Expedite, despatch, accelerate. Prayer, entreaty, supplication Curse, execration. Precept, teaching, maxim, rule Suggestion, impulse. Precious, dear, valuable, costly Cheap, worthless. Precipice, chasm, steep, cliff Surface, depression. Precise, accurate, exact, nice Indefinite, inaccurate. Precocious, forward, premature Tardy, backward. Predestined, fore-ordained, fate Choice, freedom. Prejudice, bias, prejudgment Fairness, judgment. Pressing, urgent, important Slight, trivial, light. Pretend, affect, feign, offer Verify, unmask, refute. Prevent, hinder, impede, bar Promote, aid, facilitate. Pride, vanity, conceit, arrogance Meekness, humility.. Princely, royal, grand, superb Beggarly, niggardly: Probity, honesty, veracity, integrity Rascality, vice. Profane, impious, irreverent, godless Holy, sacred. Profess, declare, avow, confess Conceal, suppress. Profile, outline, tracing Substance, subject, bulk. Profuse, lavish, prodigal Scant, chary, sparing, poor. Promenade, walk, stroll Run, hasten, speed, course. Prostrate, fallen, lying, flat Risen, erect, upright. Protest, declare, affirm, aver Agree, sanction, endorse. Proud, arrogant, haughty, vain Deferential, humble. Proverb, adage, aphorism, dictum Essay, dissertation. Puerile, boyish, childish, youthful Manly, vigorous. SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS. 95 Pulsate, throb, beat Regular, flowing, constant. Pungent, sharp, acrid, keen Soothing, luscious. Putrid, rotten, corrupt, foul Sound, pure, sweet, fresh. Puzzle, bewilder, entangle- — Enlighten, instruct. Quack, charlatan, pretender Dupe, gull, victim. Quaint, odd, whimsical, antique Ordinary, common. Quarrel, affray, dispute, brawl Pleasantry, harmony. Query, inquiry, question, interrogation Answer. Quick, active, brisk, swift, Slow, tardy, sluggish. Quiet, calm, ease, repose Unrest, motion, agitation. Quote, cite, adduce, name Disprove, refute, traverse. Quit, abandon, forsake, resign Seek, occupy, haunt. Rabble, crowd, riot, mob Elite, aristocracy, upper-ten. Rabid, furious, mad, raging Rational, reasonable. Radiance, brightness, brilliancy Dullness, darkness. Rage, anger, choler, fury Gentleness, tranquillity. Rapture, ecstacy, transport, bliss Agony, torture. Rare, excellent, uncommon Common, worthless. Raving, furious, delirious, frantic Calm, reasonable. Ready, apt, facile, prompt Hesitating, awkward, slow. Recant, abjure, recall, revoke Assert, maintain, hold. Recede, retire, retreat, return — —Approach, advance. Reckless, careless, heedless, rash — -Careful, heedful. Recline, lie, rest, repose Erect, raise, rise, stand. Recreation, amusement, sport Toil, work, fatigue. Reel, stagger, falter, totter Stand, steady, still, calm. Refer, relate, allude, apply Misapply, disconnect. Reflect, consider, ponder Divert, dream, disregard. Refrain, abstain, forbear, keep Indulge, venture. Refresh, renew, revive, restore — —Tire, oppress, weary. Refuge, shelter, asylum, covert Snare, pitfall. Refund, repay, restore, return Appropriate, misapply. Refuse, deny, reject, decline Grant, afford, concede, Regale, entertain, feast, gratify Starve, tantalize. Regard, esteem, respect, reverence Despise, dislike. Regret, grieve, repent, deplore Approve, welcome. 96 SUCCESSFUL WAITING. Rehearse, repeat, recapitulate Misrelate, misdetail. Reject, decline, repel, refuse Accept, chose, select. Reliance, confidence, assurance Suspicion, misgiving. Relieve, aid, alleviate, assist Aggravate, enhance. Relish, enjoy, appreciate, like Nauseate, abominate. Remainder, remnant, residue Expenditure, loss, issue. Remark, observation, comment Misobserve,disregard. Remember, recall, recollect, mind Forget, overlook. Remiss, careless, heedless, slack Energetic, assiduous. Remit, abate, liberate, resign Increase, intensify. Remote, distant, far, foreign Near, close, related. Rend, tear, rip, split, rive Repair, unite, conserve. Renegade, vagabond, recreant Supporter, adherent. Renown, celebrity, fame, note Disgrace, meanness. Repartee, reply, retort, answer Ignore, drop, pass. Repent, repine, regret, grieve Rejoice, smile, joy. Repetition, iteration Irrelation, dissociation. Report, tell, account, rumor Silence, suppression. Repose, ease, quiet, rest Movement, unrest, tumult. Reproach, blame, censure, rebuke Laud, commend. Repugnance, antipathy, dislike— Sympathy, affinity. Request, ask, beg, beseech Command, order, dictate. Requisite,essential, necessary Superfluous, redundant. Requital, compensation, amends Insult, fault, offense. Resort, frequent, haunt, retire Shun, avoid, discard. Resource, resort, means, device End, purpose, object. Respire, breathe Perish, die, death. Respite, interval, reprieve Condemnation, reprisal. Response, answer, reply, retort Question, query. Restless, uneasy, discontented Motionless, quiet, still. Restrain, limit, repress, check Urge, excite, indulge. Result, consequence, effect, end Beginning, origin. Resuscitate, revive, reanimate Extinguish, quench. Retire, recede, withdraw, shrink Approach, advance. Retract, revoke, recall, renounce Reiterate, repeat. Retrieve, recover, regain, rescue Lose, abandon. SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS. 97 Reveal, disclose, divulge, expose Hide, conceal, cloak. Revel, carouse, frolic, luxuriate Fast, abstain. Revenge, avenge, vindicate Pardon, condone. Revile, abuse, deride, asperse Flatter, compliment. Revolve, turn, whirl, rotate Motionless, still, steady. Ribald, low, obscene, coarse Refined, cultured, pure. Riches, opulence, affluence Poverty, indigence. Rifle, rob, plunder, pillage Skim, pass over, survey. Rigid, stiff, strict, severe Pliant, limber, flowing. Riot, tumult, disordei Orderliness, peace, quiesence. Risible, laughable, mirthful, absurd Grave, serious. Rite, ceremony, form, custom Obsoleteness, disuse. Roam, ramble, rove, saunter Hurry, hasten, speed. Robust, strong, healthy, lusty Puny, fragile, weakly. Rogue, knave, rascal, scamp Gentleman, honest man. Romantic, wild, fanciful, fictitious Literal, truthful. Ruffian, brute, villain See Rogue. Ruin, destroy, destruction—Prosperity, success, rise. Rumor, report, story, hearsay Evidence, proof. Sacred, divine, holy Unholy, unconsecrated, profane. Sad, dejected, melancholy, dismal — —Joyous, gay, glad. Sage, wise, discreet, savant Imbecile, illiterate. Sallow, wan, sickly, bloodless Fresh-colored, bright. Sapient, sagacious, sage, wise Foolish, undiscerning. Sarcasm, irony, satire, sardonicism Eulogy, eulogium. Satiate, clog, satisfy, gorge Stint, starve, famish. Scene, spectacle, exhibition, sight Dream, mockery. Scoff, jeer, jibe, sneer Compliment, salute, respect. Scruple, doubt, hesitation Confidence, assurance. Scrutinize, examine, search, inspect Discard, guess. Scurrilous, abusive, offensive Respectful, laudatory. Secrete, hide, conceal, cloak Expose, exhibit. Secular, temporal, worldly Regular, religious. Sedate, calm, composed, quiet — — Flighty, indiscreet. Seduce, allure, attract, decoy — —Force, overpower. Seethe, boil, effervesce, fume Calm, subside, cool. 98 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. Seize, grasp, clasp, grapple Loose, unhand, abandon. Senile, aged, old, infirm Juvenile, virile, manly. Sense, feeling, judgment Non-conception, nonsense. Sensual, carnal, animal, lewd Abstract, spiritual. Sequel, consequence, result, event Cause, beginning. Serene, quiet, peaceful, clear Turbid, ruffled, stormy. Serious, sober, grave, solemn Volatile, thoughtless. Servile, fawning, slavish Independent, rebellious. Severe, austere, stern, grave Gay, smiling, mild. Shabby, worn, ragged, beggarly — -Fine, admirable. Shackle, fetter, chain, clog Free, expedite, liberate. Shade, shadow, obscure, cloud Illuminate, brighten. Shake, agitate, quake, tremble Secure, fix, fasten. Shape, mould, form, execute Distort, derange. Shine, corruscate, glisten, glow Fade, wane, glimmer. Shock, affright, appall, horrify Gratify, delight. Shocking, dreadful, revolting Pleasing, charming. Shrewd, acute, keen, astute Stolid, stupid, obtuse. Shrill, sharp, piercing, acute Low, deep, murmuring. Shun, avoid, elude, eschew Court, seek, affect. Shy, coy, reserved, timid- — Brazen-faced, impudent. Sibilant, hissing, outcry Mellow, musical, melodious. Sign, omen, signal, token — -Misrepresentation. Signify, denote, express, portend Conceal, preclude. Silence, stillness, tactiturnit^— - Garrulity, chatter. Silent, dumb, speechless, mute Noisy, loquacious. Silly, absurd, foolish, weak Astute, wise, intelligent. Simple, artless, silly, plain Artful, designing, affected. Sincere, frank, honest, true Feigned, pretended. Sinew, strength, muscle, brawn Frailty, feebleness. Sinister, unfair, bad, evil Lucky, fortunate, engaging. Skill, dexterity, expertness, faculty Awkwardness. Sleek, smooth, glossy, silken Rough, hairy, bristly. Sleep, repose, slumber, drowse Be awake, activity. Slender, fragile, slight, slim Thick, stout, massive. Sly, artful, cunning, crafty Open, frank, artless. SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS. 99 Smooth, bland, easy, oily Uneven, rugged, harsh. Solace, comfort, cheer, relief Affliction, aggravation. Solitary, alone, desolate, lonely Frequented, cheerful. Solve, resolve, explain, unfold Mystify, bewilder. Somnolent, sleepy, dreamy Wakeful, alert, vigilant. Soothe, appease, assuage, allay Rouse, exasperate. Sordid, mean, covetous, foul Pure, liberal, honorable. Sore, tender, painful, raw Painless, sound, healthful. Sort, kind, species, class Non-description. Sour, acid, acrimonious, tart Sweet, wholesome. Sparkle, glitter, radiant, shine Smoulder, stagnate. Spicy, pungent, aromatic, scented Fetid", inodorous. Spirit, ardor, courage, life- — Dullness, indifference. Spite, grudge, malice, pique Good-will, benevolence. Splendid, grand, superb, showy Tame, poor, beggarly. Spongy, porous, soft Impervious, compact, hard. Sprite, spirit, ghost, specter— Body, organism, animal. Spy, watch, discern, see Miss, overlook, misobserve. Stagnant, still, lifeless Brisk, rapid, lively. Staid, steady, grave, sedate Flighty, erratic, eccentric. Stain, blemish, blot, flaw Purity, intactness, honor. Stern, austere, severe, rigid Genial, kindly, lenient. Stifle, suffocate, choke, throttle Ventilate, vent, fan. Stratagem, artifice, deception Fairness, simplicity. Structure, form, edifice, fabric Ruin, demolition, heap. Style, manner, diction Solecism, provincialism. Sublime, elevated, grand, stately Ordinary, ignoble. Submit, surrender, yield, comply Oppose, resist. Subterfuge, shift, trick, dodge Frankness, challenge. Subtle, cunning, crafty, wily Honest, artless, simple. Sudden, hasty, unanticipated — Expected, deliberate. Suggest, hint, intimate, propose Declare, dictate. Summary, brief, laconic Dilatation, expansion. Sundry, different, various, diverse Same, similar. Supple, pliable, flexible, yielding Stiff, firm, inelastic. Supreme, highest, chief Minor, inferior, secondary. 100 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. Surfeit, fullness, excess Stint, starvation, insufficiency. Surly, morose, crabbed Bright, cheerful, blithe, gay. Surprise, startle, amaze Prepare, forewarn. Surround, beset, encircle Disenclose, disencompass. Survey, prospect, review Ignore, misview, overlook. Suspicion, distrust, mistrust Confide, rely, believe. Sympathy, pity, compassion Antipathy, antagonism. Tacit, silent, implied Open, expressed, declared. Taint, corrupt, infect Cleanse, purify, disinfect. Talent, ability, faculty Inability, incompetence. Talk, dialogue, conversation Monologue, soliloquy. Tantalize, torment, taunt, tease Gratify, satisfy. Taunt, revile, insult, jeer Compliment, congratulate Tedious, dilatory, slow, prolix Interesting, exciting. Temerity, rashness, heedlessness Timidity, caution. Tempt, allure, attract, entice Dissuade, deter, warn. Tender, delicate, soft, weak Tough, sturdy, robust. Tenor, course, purport, drift Incoherence, irrelevance. Tense, stiff, rigid, inflexible Pliant, yielding, placid. Tenuous, thin, slender, spare Thick, ample, broad. Terror, alarm, apprehension Confidence, boldness. Terse, pithy, expressive Prolix, diffuse, inconcise. Test, try, experiment, ordeal Misindication, misproof. Thick, dense, close, compact Thin, porous, spongy. Throb, beat, pulsate Still, calm, fixed, quiet. Thrust, push, stab Draw, retract, extract. Thump, blow, strike, smite Caress, soothe, pat. Tidy, neat, clean, spruce Slovenly, disorderly. Tie, bind, fasten, join Liberate, free, loose. Timely, opportune, seasonable Late, unseasonable. Titter, laugh, giggle, grin Sob, whine, blubber. Top, crown, crest, apex Foot, bottom, base, root. Tophet, hell, hades Heaven, paradise, Eden. Torpid, sluggish, inactive Lively, nimble, energetic. Torrid, burning, hot, arid — -Temperate, cool, frigid. Torture, pain, anguish Ecstacy, rapture, bliss. SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS. 101 Total, whole, entire Part, fraction, section. Toy, plaything, bauble Implement, utensil, weapon. Traduce, censure, condemn Praise, commend. Trail, track, scent Misindication, obliteration. Transient, fleeting, short- — Abiding, lasting, enduring. Treacherous, faithless, insidious Loyal, true, constant. Tremble, shake, quiver Steady, still, calm. Trial, attempt, effort, essay Non-trial, disregard. Trifling, futile, frivolous Important, weighty, critical. True, honest, plain False, perfidious, spurious. Trust, belief, credit Doubt, misgiving, distrust. Tumble, drop, fall Rise, soar, mount, climb. Turbulent, riotous, tumultuous Peaceful, regular. Turgid, tumid, swollen Smooth, equable, subdued. Type, emblem, symbol, token Disguise, decoy, ruse. Tyro, beginner, novice, neophyte Adept, expert. Unalloyed, pure, chaste Foul, turbid, corrupt. Unblemished, faultless, spotless Sullied, stained. Unblushing, shameless, brazen Refined, modest. Unbosom, reveal, confess Conceal, hide, cover. Unbroken, entire, whole Partial, broken, incomplete. Uncertain, doubtful, precarious True, sure, assured. Uncouth, odd, unseemly Refined, well-bred, polished. Undaunted, bold, intrepid Cautious, cowardly, timid. Unfold, develop, display Contract, restrict, condense. Unhandy, awkward, uncouth Clever, dexterous. Unison, accordance, concord Discord, variance. Unravel, develop, unfold Mystify, conceal, restrict. Unrelenting, cruel, relentless Lenient, mild, easy. Unruly, ungovernable, perverse Obedient, amenable. Unusual, rare, seldom Customary, common, frequent. Uproar, bustle, confusion Peace, order, tranquillity. Urge, animate, encourage Repress, discourage. Urgent, earnest, pressing Trivial, unimportant. Utopian, chimerical, ideal Actual, real, veritable. Vacant, empty, void Full, filled, occupied. 102 SUCCESSFUL WRITING. Vacillating, fluctuating, unsteady Fixed, settled. Vagabond, vagrant, itinerant Worker, laborer. Vagary, whim, caprice Purpose, determination. Vague, indefinite, loose Definite, pointed, specific. Vain, conceited, egotistic Simple, unassuming. Vanish, disappear, fade Appear, approach, loom. Vanity, arrogance, conceit — -Humility, self-distrust. Vapid, insipid, flat Spirited, animated, pungent. Vary, alter, differ, change Retain, perpetuate. Vaunt, boast, brag, puff Repress, decry, detract. Veer, turn, swerve, shift Stand, remain, persist. Vehement, earnest, eager Mild, passionless, stoical. Velocity, swiftness, speed Slowness, sluggishness. Venerate, revere, respect Despise, execrate, abhor. Venial, pardonable, excusable Unpardonable. Venomous,poisonous, noxious Wholesome,salubrious. Verdant, green, fresh, new Old, faded, world-worn. Vice, blemish, fault, sin Purity, perfection, goodness. Vicious, immoral, wicked Virtuous, pure, innocent. Virulent, poisonous, malignant Salutory, wholesome. Vision, specter, phantom Reality, substance, verity. Volatile, light, airy, gay Dull, solid, demure. Voluble, fluent, talkative Hesitating, stammering. Wanton, lascivious, reckless Discreet, austere. Warm, ardent, jealous Frigid, cold indifferent. Wary, cautious, prudent Heedless, unguarded. Weary, tired, worn, fatigued Fresh, hearty, recruited. Wet, moisten, dampen Drain, parch, dry. Wicked, bad, evil, sinful Virtuous, moral, religious. Wild, savage, uncultivated Meek, refined, polished. Willful, perverse, obstinate — -Docile, obedient, willing. Wilt, fade, wither, droop Swell, freshen, luxuriate. Wily, cunning, crafty Simple, artless, innocent. Wise, judicious, sage Illiterate, ignorant. Woful, calamitous, afflictive— —Happy, prosperous. Wonder, surprise, amaze Indifference, anticipation. SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS. 103 Worry, tease, trouble, vex Calm, soothe, gratify. Wretched, unhappy, vile Joyous, blissful, pleasant. Wrong, unfit, unsuitable Proper, correct, accurate. Wry, atwist, askew, deranged Straight, right, fit. Yearn, crave, desire Loathe, revolt, recoil. Youthful, juvenile, callow Aged, senile, decrepit. Zeal, ardor, interest Torpor, apathy, indifference. Zenith, height, summit Antipodes, depth, base. Zephyr, west wind, mild breeze Gale, tempest, storm. Zest, flavor, relish Distaste, disrelish, insipidity. THE END. IBI^ 3kIs^=§*P IMB y^^^vmB. 111 1111111 ^^^^fi^ $$jfefiBf Ih^^^te^^l ^ps©^ llv ".: : " -vr-v '- : ~ v IBI wiNS! fill IIGi ^O^^*-'; ^fe p5fclllli« lilllif JIBS -vi Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide Treatment Date: Sept. 2007 PreservationTechnologies A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATION 111 Thomson Park Drive Cranberry Township, PA 16066 (724)779-2111