Manual of Essay-Writing

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. This little book aims at giving more systematic guidance in the art of essay-writing than is usually attempted. Many teachers, I am aware, are sceptical as to the value of such an attempt. They feel the importance of spontaneity and individuality, and they are rightly of opinion that an essay cannot possess these qualities if it proceeds rigidly on lines laid down for the writer by somebody else. On the other hand, if must be matter of common experience that much of the time spent on the writing of essays is fruitless because it is aimless; and it seems to me that, without introducing any rules that would fetter individuality, something may be done in several directions to make the practice of essay-writing both easier and more fruitful than it is at present.<br><br>First, I believe that a good many hints on style and treatment may profitably be given. Without attempting to lay down arbitrary rules, one may say that there are certain positive qualities which every good essay ought to possess, and these may be usefully indicated. In particular, in every essay which undertakes to prove anything, the argument ought to be clear, orderly, and logical, and hints may be given on the construction and setting forth of a consecutive argument.