Gainesville High School - Hurricane Yearbook (Gainesville, FL)

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The VVhy of Things We Study as Viewed by Ourselves

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GAINESYILLE HIGH SUHOOL, 1915 with the school, co-operating' with the teachers in such 21 manner as to avoid any friction that might arise. It is Olll' sincerest hope and desire that this society may carry on its work imleiinitely, that it may ite heartily endorsed hy the community and fully appreciatecl by the schools. MINA TRAXLICR. C E 0 C23 Q YO 28

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UAINESYILLE HIGH SVHOOL, 1915 ENGLISH When we begin to consider the luenents of the study oi' the English language to the English speaking people we enter upon an almost unlimit- ed field for thought. English in any department of school is not only bene- ficial but very necessary, and in the high school course of study we have the ve1'y foundation for the proper usage of our language. In respect to the material, disciplinary and cultural value it performs a service that no other subject can. Materially, high school English teaches us how to speak and write correctly, and no matter what our path in life may he, it is the most nec- essary study for us. We may never need mathematics or any of our other studies, but English we certainly shall need. In our grammar school days we are taught the parts of speech, their uses and how to construct sen- tences, but in the high school we learn to use sentences easily and proper- ly. The better we know how to express our thoughts, the more likely we are to obtain what we desire and the only way to express our thoughts is in words either spoken or written. In speaking it is very necessary to understand how to express our- selves. The greater part of our feelings. desires and opinions are express- ed in Words. and it behooves us to speak as well as possible. The weight of a persons character is frequently determined by the kind of language he uses in an ordina1'y conversation. Many have been the troubles caused bv a speech which was so worded that it gave an entirely ditterent impres- sion from that which it was intended to convey. To say what you mean and say it in the clearest and most concise manner possible is one of the best rules that could be given for the use of any language, and in order to follow this rule it is necessary to know how to use our words and arrange them properly in sentences and paragraphs. In every letter we write we express our knowledge of composition and rhetoric. Every one likes to receive an interesting and well composed letter, whether personal or business. If we wish to write business letters. our knowledge of composition and rhetoric may help us wonderfully. Sometimes the way in which our letters are expressed will mean many dollars lost or gained for us, while many times we lose friends by writing them letters containing perfectly innocent thoughts badly expressed. Therefore we should always know how to express ourselves in writing. High school English is of great disciplinary value. The course in English serves for a double preparation in life, as it is an aid in, and a preparation for, social and personal life, that is, for manhood, womanhood and citizenship. It aids in the choice of and advance toward a vocation. 30