HUMOUR IN TEACHING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22356, 29 February 1936, Page 9 (Supplement)

HUMOUR IN TEACHING

Text books are not, as a rule, very exciting. However, here is one, with the stodgy title of " The Writing of English," which is full of humour — good for a lazy afternoon in the shade, or a railways journey, and to be enjoyed thoroughly by the lad who has his "proficiency," the university student and the man of affairs, including those whose profession is writing or speaking. Perhaps the last-named would enjoy it the most. It is written as from one friend to another. The author insists on one's own plain live speech, the avoidance of platitudes and well-worn similes and tho creation of new ones, so as to enliven that which one has to say. The book is outstanding in its lightness and originality and every point made is illustrated by examples from famous writers.

These selections are never dull; most of them raise a smile, many a laugh. The author is Mr. S. P. B. Mais, a public schoolmaster, who won his laurels at Rossall, Sherbourne and Tonbridge, and has enhanced his reputation by ■wider work over the air for the last 10 years, inspiring boys and girls and men and women to read for delight and write for fun. " The Writing of English," by S. P. B. Mais. (Chapman and Hall.)