d to do so.

3. Isn't the sunset grand? Isn't it nice to be out of doors?

4. The mystery as to which ones of the piano keys to play was
hard for him to acquire.

5. If the package comes by freight, you must negotiate the
proposition of getting it home; but if it comes by express, the
delivery is done free.

=Concreteness=

=63. Concrete words are often more effective than vague, general, or
abstract words.=

Not specific: She held herself aloof from her brothers' games
and amusements.

Concrete: She never played soldier or sailed paper boats with
her brothers.

No appeal to the senses: I liked to watch the servant girl as
she moved about the kitchen, preparing our morning repast.

Concrete: I liked to watch Norah as she fried our crisp
breakfast bacon and browned our buckwheat cakes.

Flat, not readily visualized: The first inhabitants overcame
the barriers to settlement about a century ago.

Concrete: Rough backwoodsmen broke through the underbrush and
swamp-land a century ago.

Exercise:

1. The scientist discovered a bird in a tree.

2. Our hostess set before us many good things to eat.

3. The sailor was carving queer figures on a piece of soft
wood.

4. The night watchman heard something that made him suspicious.

5. I stood at the door of the shop to watch the astonishing
things the blacksmith was doing.

=Sound=

=64. Avoid the frequent repetition of a sound, especially if it be harsh
or unpleasant.=

Bad: He is an exceedingly orderly secretary.

Better: As a secretary he is very systematic. [Or] The
secretary is very systematic.

Bad: Immediately the squirrel hid himself behind the hickory
tree.

Better: Immediately the squirrel dodged behind the hickory
tree.

Unfortunate rime: Bert did not dare to go home with wet hair.

Better: Bert did not dare to go home with his hair wet. [Or]
Bert was afraid to go home with wet hair.

Exercise:

1. That Christmas happened to be unusually happy.

2. I fear we must sit near the rear of the room.

3. The Jackies went clambering and scurrying up the rigging.

4. The ship slips anchor while the idlers sip tea on the deck.

5. The third treasure-seeker heard a thud. His pick had struck
an obstruction.

=Subtle Viola