THE TWO R's--'RITIN' RIGHT(LY)

No one, regardless of his ability to juggle integrals or analyze unknowns, is worthy of a college degree unless he is able to produce a lucid, literate sentence. Nevertheless, the large numbers of theses and examinations made up of impassable jungles of words which come before the eyes of Harvard section men are witnesses to the fact that every year Harvard sends out many graduates who cannot write English.

It was undoubtedly in recognition of the prime importance of prose composition, as well as the deplorable deficiency of the average student in its mastery, that the Faculty Council has bestowed new dignity upon much-maligned English A. Hitherto the course has been a fifth leg, an extra burden which less fortunate Freshmen were forced to bear like a vestigial organ. Now, decrees the Council, it shall count toward a degree, More important than this, its exemption requirements have been raised, so that a considerable increase in the percentage of first year men taking the course is to be expected.

The object toward which these steps are directed is, of course, admirable. But the steps themselves are unsatisfactory in their failure to go far enough. It is not necessary that every student take English A. But it is ideal that every student take some composition course during his college career, if not, by compulsion, at least by strong recommendation. Composition cuts across fields of concentration--in later years it may be as useful to the chemist as to the English concentrator--and hence such a procedure would not be vulnerable to the usual criticisms of regimentation and preplanning.

More than this, English A itself should be radically revised if it is to be worthy of its new importance. Emphasis should be placed almost entirely on practical exposition. Professor Morrison has recognized this in his statement accompanying the new requirements. With a more coherent program and greater uniformity of method envisioned, there should be closer cooperation between section men. And, since the course is no longer to be carried as a spare tire on the Freshman's schedule, its standards should be raised.

Reading and writing are the first two steps toward learning. Yet many students complete their educations without learning the second properly. Hence, although current educational trends are in the direction of flexible requirements, any stiffening of requirements, in composition means of necessity progress.