Taryn Nakamura - Quicklet on Joseph Devlins How to Speak and Write Correctly

By Taryn Nakamura

In the introduction to How to Speak and Write Correctly, Joseph Devlin writes that his book is not a grammar manual full of rules. Devlin wrote the book for ordinary people who want to speak in a proper manner.

Devlin writes some general guidelines for grammar and style. He begins with an overview of the parts of speech and formation of sentences and paragraphs. Some of his most helpful tips are those on common pitfalls. He reminds the reader that even the best writers make mistakes. Using examples of famous authors mistakes, Devlin shows how to avoid circumlocution, split infinitives, and redundancy.

The chapters on writing letters and writing for newspapers have obsolete information. However, these chapters serve as amusing artifacts of the days when calling cards were still common, and women were guardians of the home.

Devlin stays true to his roots in his book. Devlin was raised in a poor family and could not afford to attend school after finishing primary school. However, he was the master of his education. In his book, he reminds the reader that a college degree and an extensive library arent necessary for gaining writing skills. The most powerful speakers and writers are those who use clear, simple language and appeal to the common audience

By Taryn Nakamura

( Photo credit : http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Joe_Devlin.JPG )

Joseph Devlin, also known as Wee Joe, was born in Belfast in 1872. According to an Irish News article on the Milltown Cemetary website, Devlin received only a primary school education, but he continued to read and learn independently. Devlin was 13 or 14 when he joined the Sexton Debating Society and impressed the members with his lively oratory. ( Joe Devlin ) At the time, CultureNorthernIreland reports that he was already earning his own living as a potboy, glass collector, and bottle washer. ( Joseph Devlin )

Devlins involvement in the Sexton Debating Society exposed him to Irish politics, and he became a fervent advocate for Nationalism. He worked for the Irish News from 1891 to 1893. ( Joe Devlin )

In 1902, Devlin won the North Kilkenny seat for M.P. In 1906, he became M.P. for West Belfast. ( Joe Devlin ) An Irish News article reprinted on NewsHound reports that Devlin was an eloquent advocate for social reform and exposed the terrible working conditions in Belfast linen mills. ( Seventieth Anniversary of Home Rule Leader Devlin )

Devlin passed away in 1934. All of Ireland mourned the loss of a great leader. ( Seventieth Anniversary of Home Rule Leader Devlin ) His oratory had earned him the nickname of Pocket Demosthenes. ( Joe Devlin )

Even Devlins opponents had admiring words for him. According to the New York Times, Lord Craigavon, Prime Minister of Ulster, said: He and I were in opposite political camps for over thirty years [...] but throughout I have never entertained anything but admiration for his personal character. ( Befriended Many Children )

By Taryn Nakamura

Requirements of Speech and Essentials of English Grammar

Although there are more than 200,000 words in the English language, you can speak and write correctly using only about 2,000 different words.

The nine classes of words are called Parts of Speech. The classes are article, noun, adjective, pronoun, verb, adverb, preposition, conjunction, and interjection. These are defined in the Key Terms section.

The Sentence

A sentence must have at least one verb and one subject. A simple sentence has one subject and one predicate. A compound sentence has two or more simple sentences. In a complex sentence , one sentence depends on one or more simple sentences for its meaning.

In the simplest sentence, the word order is subject, verb, object. Longer sentences allow for other ways of arranging words.

The beginning and the end of sentences are the most important positions. The reader pays closer attention to these parts of the sentence. The end of the sentence is more significant than the beginning. Do not begin or end a sentence with insignificant words.

Loose sentences put the main idea first, and the descriptions follow. Periodic sentences begin with descriptive introductions and ends with the main idea. Speakers should use loose sentences to keep an audiences attention. Either form can be used in writing.

A paragraph should be composed of sentences that illustrate the same idea. Sentences should flow naturally with transitions. The content should show a logical progression. The first sentence introduces the main idea, and the last sentence enforces it.

Punctuation

The marks of punctuation are the comma, semicolon, colon, period, interrogation, exclamation, dash, parenthesis, and quotation. See the Key Terms section for some rules on usage.

Capital Letters

Capital letters should appear at the beginning of every sentence, the beginning of a direct quotation or direct question, and the start of every line of poetry. The important words (nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and adverbs) in book titles begin with capitals. Proper names, titles, names of historical events, and names of the days of the week begin with capitals.

Letter Writing

Write letters in a natural style, as if you were having a conversation with the person youre addressing. In letters of friendship, write in a more relaxed style, but never write anything you would be embarrassed to hear repeated. Business letters require clear, concise language. Official letters should be written in a formal tone.

In the heading of a letter, include the place name, the date, and the title of the addressed. Address men as Mr., married women as Mrs., and unmarried women as Miss. Add a persons abbreviated title after his or her name (e. g. M. D. or Ph. D.)

The subscription is the end of a letter. Sign a formal letter as: Yours truly, Yours respectfully, or Yours sincerely.

Common Errors

The following are some of Devlins examples of redundant words:

• Fill the glass (full).
• He went into the country last week and returned (back) yesterday.
• I never before (in my life) met (with) such a stupid man.

These are some rules to avoid common grammatical mistakes:

• Use the comparative adjective, not the superlative adjective, when comparing only two objects.
• Beware of subject-verb agreement when the subject and verb are separated by many other words.
• Do not use the present participle for the infinitive mood. Devlin gives the following example from Gilfillans Literary Portraits : It is easy distinguishing the rude fragment of a rock from the splinter of a statue. In this case, the writer should have used the infinitive, to distinguish.
• Do not end a sentence with a preposition.
• Avoid circumlocution, the use of unnecessary words to fill space.
• Avoid the split-infinitive. Do not add words between to and the root.
• Beware of the placement of the words, only and alone. Place only or alone immediately before the word it describes.
• Avoid the double negative. Two negatives cancel each other and create an affirmative sentence.
• Between is used with two objects, and among is used with more than two.