Theme model 11

Theme-model XI.—THE REVIEW OF A COLLECTION OF STORIES. In the following plan for reviewing a book that consists of a number of stories, the paragraphs should be made expository by introducing each of them with a characterizing sentence and closing it with a summarizing sen¬tence, even when the material used in the para¬graph is narrative.

First paragraph — should contain a statement of the type of life with which the stories as a whole deal (New England life, Kentucky sketches, etc.). It should also show what special aspect of this life is contained in each of the four or five most inter¬esting of the stories. This may be done by giving the theme of each.

Paragraphs two to five —should each give a brief account of the plot of one of the stories mentioned in the first paragraph. The characterizing and sum¬marizing sentences in each paragraph should not be forgotten. A model for this series of plot summaries is given in section 228. The number of paragraphs needed here will vary with the book which is being reviewed.

Sixth paragraph—a summary of the characters.

Select characters for mention not from a single story, but speak of the leading characters of each story referred to by name in the first paragraph.

Seventh paragraph — a general estimate of the book, its merits and faults.