Part 5

engineer response allowed

responsible capacity examine

situated catalogue glorious

Standard Number of Errors

VI. 11 VI. 11 VI. 12 VII. 8 VII. 8 VII. 9 VIII. 5 VIII. 5 VIII. 6

25 26 27

certified associated custard

dismissal timothy double

develops accomplished resign

estimate tendency panel

heavily confirming pamphlet

horrible congratulation familiar

obligate illustrating sermon

traffic meter hustle

trifle reliability janitor

exceed resource occupy

finance examiner warehouse

overdo demonstrated envelop

residence carnival preside

camphor conservatory scholar

discussion consultation museum

galvanized enormous methods

interrupt legislation patience

intimate maturity fundamental

luncheon nickel accredited

mattress manufacturing continuous

Standard Number of Errors

VI. 11 VI. 11 VI. 12 VII. 8 VII. 8 VII. 8 VIII. 5 VIII. 5 VIII. 5

28 29 30

adapted buried rhubarb

almonds marked initials

analyze foliage confidential

capitol heading irrigate

faculty locally mutually

formula luxury engaged

mutual medium Vice Pres.

nursery quietly circulars

quoting rabbits exercised

salad razor childhood

scenery refers vegetable

tobacco reverse packages

towards shining terribly

opera solid desirable

urgent survey determine

via turkeys shortage

visitor visits rainfall

widow vomit wherever

accompany wasted fertilizers

apricot confess adequate

Standard Number of Errors

VI. 10 VI. 9 VI. 10 VII. 7 VII. 6 VII. 7 VIII. 4 VIII. 3 VIII. 4

S-1 S-2 S-3

items willow muscle

honey gospel guilty

stormy wisdom soldiers

stupid naughty handles

negro slowly hearty

tailor expand helper

sire arises somehow

rally sewed raisin

toilet murder jewels

tower miner napkin

unload holy dessert

upset vigor lessons

utter lawyer marble

vice crown scatter

vessel vague millers

wages votes minded

warmly yacht roomer

repay cable earlier

mercy create remarks

whistle ladder kindle

Standard Number of Errors

VI. 7 VI. 7 VI. 7 VII. 4 VII. 4 VII. 4 VIII. 2 VIII. 2 VIII. 2

EIGHTH GRADE DIRECTIONS TO EIGHTH GRADE TEACHERS

The minimum lessons for this grade are numbered from 1 to 25 inclusive, and contain 500 new words. There are in addition 240 supplementary words which are new, but which are not so frequently used as those in the minimum list. The four lessons marked R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, are made up of those words in the preceding grades which are most frequently missed by eighth grade students. The lesson marked "Special Review," contains the hardest words, of the two thousand most frequently used in correspondence.

In addition, there are four letters which should be given as dictation exercises. These letters contain a large number of words which are very likely to be misspelled, as shown by their frequency of use in correspondence and the percentage of error of eighth grade pupils who attempt to spell them.

Remember that the lessons are arranged by weeks rather than by days. The work for each week consists of one advance column and one review column. The review column in each case is the fourth column preceding the advance work. That is, it is made up of a week's work one month old. For example, column 5 contains 20 new words to be learned in one week. During the same week, column 1 should be reviewed. The lesson for the first week consists of column 1, which is the advance lesson, and of column R 1, which is the review.

R-1 R-2 R-3

Chautauqua planning separate

schedule remittance advisable

guaranteed probably awfully

rheumatism sincerely disease

privilege arrangement sense

efficiency considerably familiar

inst. capacity merely

judgment corporation presence

recommend usually receiving

thoroughly choir similar

correspondence inquiry variety

courteous renewal crochet

semester alfalfa imagine

practically basis organization

opportunity benefit successful

literature catalogue sympathy

absolutely excellent appreciated

receipt necessary assigned

definite quantity assistant

guarantee response pleasant

Standard Number of Errors

VI. 15 VI. 13 VI. 12 VII. 12 VII. 9 VII. 8 VIII. 9 VIII. 6 VIII. 5

R-4 1 2

relieve convince reference

surprised transfer companies

appreciate independent discourage

assistance investigate insurance

candidate wholesale inclined

certificate democratic organized

distribution employer ambition

magazine exception attractive

principal confident credited

readily advertised notified

registration constantly operated

commission manufacturer worried

equipment sanitary automatic

exhibit submitted accord

nervous liable frequently

practical evidence management

regularly concerning generous

succeed assuring involved

uneasy positive misunderstanding

duplicate superior representation

Standard Number of Errors

VI. 10 VI. 7 VI. 7 VII. 7 VII. 4 VII. 4 VIII. 4 VIII. 2 VIII. 2

3 4 5

invitation contrary abstract

celebrate entertaining employed

discontinued examined register

respectfully profitable resident

obligation registered vision

occupied reservation favorite

application universal nephew

accordingly requirement regardless

collecting deliveries satisfactory

convinced desiring serious

destination conference Hallowe'en

agriculture strawberries pneumonia

fashionable advancement appendicitis

combination decrease ingredients

resigned deserved phosphorus

membership triumph telephone

supervision graduating temperature

clause hustling possibilities

activity numerous temptation

impossible raiser constructed

Standard Number of Errors

VI. 7 VI. 7 VI. 10 VII. 4 VII. 4 VII. 7 VIII. 2 VIII. 2 VIII. 4

6 7 8

Pullman librarian superintendent

cistern agricultural occasion

customers announcement representative

sight-seeing completely possibility

warrant ballot all right

acknowledged cooperative especially

electric cordial committee

borrowers inferior immediately

circumstance preliminary analysis

opposite disappointed bulletin

edition physical mortgage

excursion exceptionally referred

patronage annually referring

professor exhausted convenience

restaurant responsibility allotment

commencement algebra installment

chaperon executive advertising

thesis permanent administrator

possess soliciting straightened

physician alumni epidemic

Standard Number of Errors

VI. 12 VI. 12 VI. 13 VII. 8 VII. 9 VII. 10 VIII. 5 VIII. 6 VIII. 7

9 10 11

vary specially ambitions

duly extremely appreciation

leisure calendar communication

acquire originally commissioner

agency official exhibition

immense candidacy mechanical

hastily extension specification

various naturally consequence

unlock cordially disappoint

solicit customary remembrance

medical campaign authority

license financial appreciating

client associate interfere

Sabbath acquainted sufficient

injure personally cooperating

stomach immediate relieved

notary esteemed cooperation

surgery executed anticipate

losing postscript preparation

council convenient satisfactorily

Standard Number of Errors

VI. 15 VI. 13 VI. 13 VII. 10 VII. 10 VII. 10 VIII. 6 VIII. 7 VIII. 7

12 13 14

individual bonus patronize

actually unusually probably

merit disappointment reverend

fertilize X-ray manufactured

necessity canvass typewriter

community enthusiasm enclosure

bureau accompanying illustrate

grateful tuberculosis preserve

correspondent politician opportune

quantities anticipating appetite

thorough characteristic bronchitis

compliment anniversary discussed

geometry zephyr privileged

regretting peculiarities courtesies

equipped assortment desirous

prior illustration promenade

efficient inducement strenuous

affectionately label kimono

lieutenant practicing ultimo

fraternally amendment aggravate

Standard Number of Errors

VI. 14 VI. 14 VI. 15 VII. 10 VII. 11 VII. 12 VIII. 7 VIII. 8 VIII. 8

15 16 17

principle articles decomposed

professional bachelor developing

circuit benefits embroidery

acquaintance infected employment

scientific minimum enjoyable

inconvenience miserable immensely

enthusiastic objection experiment

recd. opinions facilities

assessment sidewalk gardening

materially stopping inventory

recommendation tomatoes irrigation

supplement treasure mentioning

confirmation vineyard memorandum

occasionally advantages measuring

apparatus asparagus officials

essential carpenter operations

unnecessary casseroles previously

accommodate catalogues proportion

affidavit comfortably specimens

definitely temporary spineless

Standard Number of Errors

VI. 15 VI. 12 VI. 12 VII. 13 VII. 8 VII. 8 VIII. 9 VIII. 5 VIII. 5

18 19 20

cafeteria accommodation nowadays

squirrels accommodations steadily

straighten acknowledging butter-fat

substantial acknowledgment contented

suggestion advantageous conveyance

twenty-five anticipation scholarship

undertake communications cooperate

communicate financially cucumbers

complement incidentally everywhere

continually kindergarten impatient

conveniently manufacturers inquiring

unpleasant preliminaries missionary

unfortunate solicitation organizing

institutions undoubtedly positively

progressive beautifully sometimes

prospective presentation separately

publications remittances sediments

gymnasium unfortunately rosebushes

memorandums unexpected rheumatic

uncomfortable vice president correspondents

Standard Number of Errors

VI. 12 VI. 13 VI. 12 VII. 8 VII. 10 VII. 9 VIII. 5 VIII. 7 VIII. 6

21 22

Ala. (Alabama) Md. (Maryland)

Alaska Mass. (Massachusetts)

Ariz. (Arizona) Mich. (Michigan)

Ark. (Arkansas) Minn. (Minnesota)

Cal. (California) Miss. (Mississippi)

Colo. (Colorado) Mo. (Missouri)

Conn. (Connecticut) Mont. (Montana)

Del. (Delaware) Nebr. (Nebraska)

D. C. (District of Nev. (Nevada)

Columbia) N. H. (New Hampshire)

Fla. (Florida) N. J. (New Jersey)

Ga. (Georgia) N. Mex. (New Mexico)

Hawaii N. Y. (New York)

Idaho N. C. (North Carolina)

Ill. (Illinois) N. Dak. (North Dakota)

Ind. (Indiana) Ohio

Iowa Okla. (Oklahoma)

Kans. (Kansas) Oregon

Ky. (Kentucky) Pa. (Pennsylvania)

La. (Louisiana) R. I. (Rhode Island)

Me. (Maine)

Standard Number of Errors

VI. ( ) VI. ( ) VII. ( ) VII. ( ) VIII. ( ) VIII. ( )

23 24

S. C. (South Carolina) A. M. (Forenoon)

S. Dak. (South Dakota) Agt. (Agent)

Tenn. (Tennessee) Assn. (association)

Tex. (Texas) A1. (First class)

Utah

Vt. (Vermont) bbl. (barrel)

Va. (Virginia) bbls. (barrels)

Wash. (Washington) bldg. (building)

W. Va. (West Virginia) bu. (bushel)

Wis. (Wisconsin) Capt. (Captain)

Wyo. (Wyoming) C.O.D. (Collect on

Cuba Delivery)

Philippine Islands c; ct. (cent)

Porto Rico cr. (credit)

Co. (Company or cwt. (hundredweight)

County) doz. (dozen)

Messrs. (Gentlemen) gal. (gallon)

R.F.D. (Rural Free ft. (foot or feet)

Delivery) F.O.B. (Free on Board)

Hon. (Honorable)

acct. (account) i.e. (that is)

Dr. (Doctor or debtor) N. B. (take notice)

Treas. (Treasurer)

Standard Number of Errors

VI. ( ) VI. ( ) VII. ( ) VII. ( ) VIII. ( ) VIII. ( )

25 Special Review

Jour. (Journal) Chautauqua

in. (inch or inches) fraternally

mdse. (merchandise) schedule

ass't (assistant) guaranteed

Jr. (Junior) privilege

Mdlle. (Mademoiselle) affectionately

mfg. (manufacturing) guarantee

oz. (ounces) rheumatism

sec'y (secretary) judgment

pkg. (package) efficiency

pr. (pair) recommend

pd. (paid) referred

P. M. (afternoon) disappoint

mgr. (manager) immediately

P. S. (postscript) referring

pub. (publisher) equipped

qt. (quart) grateful

St. (Saint or street) bulletin

Supt. (superintendent) all right

viz. (namely) mortgage

Standard Number of Errors

VI. ( ) VI. (16) VII. ( ) VII. (13) VIII. ( ) VIII. (10)

S-1 S-2 S-3

descend postpone resources

necktie political respectable

swallow elaborate sentiment

nonsense exporting seriously

oatmeal kidney suddenly

wireless locations tablespoon

afloat memorial telegraph

tiresome muscular preparatory

horseback negotiate commencing

housework peculiar warranted

wealthy unlikely occupant

scarlet purposes performance

whiskers readiness physiology

scissors recognize bacteria

scramble remaining beginner

scribble resemble beneficial

sweetness military proportions

heaviest blossoms intentions

slippers coloring accustomed

accepted chemical opposition

Standard Number of Errors

VI. 9 VI. 9 VI. 12 VII. 6 VII. 6 VII. 8 VIII. 3 VIII. 3 VIII. 5

S-4 S-5 S-6

attempting expressing machines

economize expressions honored

carelessness suggestions endorsed

stenographer likelihood occasional

decoration manufactures epistle

particulars maintained misspell

grandmother maintaining innocent

extravagance occasions inferred

firecracker notwithstanding matured

exposition remitting proffer

partially sentiments invested

pleasantly specialty logic

congenial unsettled audited

carnation beforehand academy

gophers misunderstand formally

whatsoever alteration importing

demonstrate apologies masonic

disposition appreciates mutilate

embroider contribution shelving

prescription developments socialist

Standard Number of Errors

VI. 12 VI. 12 VI. 12 VII. 8 VII. 8 VII. 8 VIII. 5 VIII. 5 VIII. 5

S-7 S-8 S-9

tenement accorded comment

thereabouts activities descriptive

transacted adjustable declamation

indigestion affectionate deducted

interruption undershirt economical

facilitate appropriate encouragement

facility approximately endeavor

fraternity cemetery endeavoring

inaugurate commodities expectation

mathematics comparatively faculties

reciprocate critical feasible

tabernacle introduce financing

thermometer dreadfully hysterics

vivisection dividend ignoramus

affiliated purchases inability

appreciative directories industrious

indefinitely disaster pocketbook

probability dictionary representatives

informal depositing instructions

dressmaker depository sufficiently

Standard Number of Errors

VI. 13 VI. 12 VI. 12 VII. 10 VII. 8 VII. 9 VIII. 7 VIII. 5 VIII. 6

S-10 S-11 S-12

detain alcohol exceedingly

deprive charity insignificant

exhaust comedy wonderfully

whoever imitate measurement

expire invalid sacrifice

faithful lovable sarcastic

frequent operate satisfying

happiest opium selecting

disgust remodel temperance

apology taxicab thoughtfulness

homelike allowing marriage

hopeful borrowing unanswered

intrude chocolate undertaking

lantern promises willingly

liquor conductor population

output congress advisability

outrage decorate agreement

physic deposits celebration

becoming developed comparison

discount discover emergency

Standard Number of Errors

VI. 9 VI. 10 VI. 12 VII. 6 VII. 7 VII. 9 VIII. 3 VIII. 4 VIII. 6

USE OF THE CONTRACTION

One of the first things to learn in writing letters is that the form and style of the letter must be suited to the message which the letter contains, and to the relationship which exists between the person who sends the letter and the one who is to receive it. The style of business letters must be clear, direct, and dignified. With certain exceptions, as in sales letters, such letters are usually made very impersonal. On the other hand, personal letters are quite properly regarded by many as a sort of conversation in writing. In writing to friends or to relatives one usually desires to be informal. One of the ways of achieving this informality is through the use of colloquial English and contractions. In the past, many teachers of English have cautioned students against the use of contractions in letters; but an examination of the correspondence of writers whose letters are regarded as models shows that most of these authors use contractions very freely. If you will read the letters of Henry Adams, Stevenson, Gray, Henry James, Lamb, Carroll, Walpole, Keats, Emily Dickinson, Thackeray, Dickens, and others, you will see that in writing to friends and members of their families they wrote much as they would have chatted with those to whom the letters were addressed.

In general, then, contractions are to be used only in informal or friendly correspondence. In letters to strangers and in most business correspondence they should be avoided. Perhaps the best guide to the proper use of contractions is to be found in the models of writers who are famous for their personal letters.

can't "You can't be too careful." (Lamb)

don't "... for, O, I don't know how long." (Stevenson)

doesn't "He doesn't agree with them all ..." (Stevenson)

won't "This sort of thing won't do." (H. James)

it's "... It's a glorious afternoon ..." (E. Dickinson)

I'm "I'm three parts through Burns; ..." (Stevenson)

I'll "I'll try to improve it ..." (Stevenson)

haven't "... I haven't yet had time to give ..." (H. James)

you'll "You'll never guess; ..." (Carroll)

isn't "It isn't like gold ..." (E. Dickinson)

I've "So I've been idle." (Stevenson)

we'll "We'll finish an education sometime ..." (E. Dickinson)

wouldn't "... but Stephen wouldn't allow it ..." (Stevenson)

didn't "... I didn't see him." (Fitzgerald)

I'd "Another shot and I'd have gone to kingdom come." (Stevenson)

you'd "... and I beg you'd believe me ..." (Gray)

hadn't "... if you hadn't seen her ..." (H. James)

hasn't "This ought to have made me gay, but it hasn't." (Stevenson)

couldn't "If it were easy to write a play, I couldn't ... think of it." (H. James)

wasn't "Wasn't it curious?" (Carroll)

DICTATION EXERCISES

The following letters contain a large number of words which occur with relatively high frequency in correspondence, and are quite likely to be misspelled by persons of eighth grade education. They should be dictated in short phrases of three to five words without repetition, pausing after each dictated phrase for the children to write. The rate should be such, however, that the dictation and writing will be completed in the time designated in the note preceding each letter. On the average this will be about one and one-half lines per minute. A little practice will enable the teacher to dictate at this rate without difficulty.

Pupils should be able to write these letters at the given speed without hesitation or error of spelling before they have completed the work of this grade.

LETTER NO. 1