That English composition in its earliest stages can be better taught by oral than by written exercises is an impression that for some time past has been gaining ground in educational circles. It is hoped, therefore, that an elementary text-book, prepared as this has been on an oral basis, will not be deemed superfluous.
The examples for practice have been printed in a type larger than usual, so that the beginner may have no difficulty in reading them at sight. He will thus be able to give all his attention to doing whatever the heading to the exercise may require him to do, such as supplying omitted words, correcting errors of grammar or order, analysing sentences orally, recasting the form of sentences, substituting equivalent words, etc.
