A POEM THAT TELLS A STORY But even in his dying fear, One dreadful sound he seemed to hear- 137 What kind of day is described in the first stanza of this poem? Read the lines that tell you. What and where was the Inchcape Bell? Who put it there? Why? How did the bell help the mariners? What other stanza describes the day? Read the fifth stanza aloud. The bell was fastened to a buoy, or float, so that it could ride on the waves and ring its warning. Who was Sir Ralph? How did he feel on this spring day? Quoth is an old word Ralph say to his men? meaning said. What did Sir Why did he wish to "plague the Abbot of Aberbrothok"? What did Sir Ralph do to the bell? What became of it? What happened to ships that later passed that way in a storm? What tells you that Sir Ralph was a successful pirate? What kind of day was it when he drew near the shore of Scotland? Read the stanza that tells you that the ship is near the Inchcape Rock. What happened to the ship? What became of Sir Ralph and his men? What did Sir Ralph seem to hear as he sank? A knell is a funeral bell. Outlining the Story In reading this poem over you will notice that it falls into several parts. The first part tells about the bell placed on the Inchcape Rock by the Abbot of Aberbrothok. The second part tells of Sir Ralph's sinking the bell. The third part tells of Sir Ralph's attempt to return to Scotland. The fourth and last part tells of the wreck of Sir Ralph's ship on the Inchcape Rock. Read the poem again and notice where each part ends. Dividing a story into parts in this way is called outlining it. Outlining a story or anything that we read helps us to remember it and helps us to tell it. Select a short story from your reader and outline it as we have outlined The Inchcape Rock. Planning an Original Story Plan a story to tell the class. Outline your story before you tell it, and think out what each part should tell. The following subjects may suggest a story to you: It Served Me Right A Visit to Santa Claus I Didn't Mean to Do It A Great Relief Too Smart A Ride on a Hay Wagon CORRECT USAGE 139 A story should always lead up to an interesting point, and it should close soon after that interesting point has been made. Remember this when you tell your story. Notice how quickly The Inchcape Rock closes after telling of the wreck of Sir Ralph's ship on the rock. Do not draw out your story after you have reached the climax. When you tell your story in class stand straight and look at your classmates. Be sure to speak loud enough for them all to hear you. STOP LOOK LISTEN' Correct Usage He, She, or It Doesn't It is correct to say he doesn't, she doesn't, it doesn't; not "he don't." Don't is a contraction for do not; of course you would not say "He do not." It is correct to use don't after I and you and when you are speaking of more than one; as, "The men don't wish to work." Read aloud the following sentences, filling the blanks with don't or doesn't: Dictionary Study Pronounce the following words, and notice which syl lable in each receives more stress: The syllable that receives the greater stress is called the accented syllable; it is marked with the accent mark ('). The dictionary marks the accented syllable of each word of more than one syllable. Look up the following words to find which syllable is accented: The class may be divided into two sides, as for a A leader may pronounce the words spelling match. on page 140. As each word is pronounced, the pupil whose turn it is will tell which syllable is accented. A pupil that makes a mistake must sit down. STOP LOOK LISTENT Correct Usage Think, Suppose It is correct to say "I think he is coming"; "I suppose that is right." Reckon and guess are often used when think or suppose should be used. Reckon means count up or account for; as, "You must reckon with me for that broken window." Read the following sentences aloud, filling the blanks with think or suppose: |