+The Narrative+.--This selection from "Helen's Babies" is a story and
therefore a narrative. But there are some descriptive touches in it. All
stories must have such touches. Perhaps it is not always essential to
distinguish between narration and description, but it is worth your while
to do it occasionally. Try to point out the descriptive parts in these
paragraphs. You certainly can find a descriptive sentence in the first
paragraph, and descriptive words, phrases, and clauses throughout the
selection. What help to the narrative do these descriptive touches give?

+The Paragraphs+.--What have you learned about the sentences that make up
one paragraph? Are the paragraphs more, or less, closely related than the
sentences of each paragraph? Why? Examine these paragraphs and see whether
any sentences can be changed from one paragraph to another. If you think
they can, give your reason. Is the order of these paragraphs the right one?
Can the order anywhere be changed without throwing the story out of joint?
Why?

+The General Topic and the Sub-topics+.--We shall find that every
composition has its general subject and that each paragraph in the
composition bus its own particular subject. Let us call the subject of the
whole composition the _general topic_. _Sub_ means _under_, and so let us
call the point which each paragraph develops a _sub-topic_. In the story
above we may find some such outline as the following:--

AN EXCURSION IN SEARCH OF "JACKS."
1. The Place where Jacks Grow.
2. The Mishap to the Excursionists.
3. The Uncle Takes his Seriously.
4. His Attempt at Repairs.