Really first-rate smiles are rare. For the most part our smiles add little to our self-expression. If we are dull, they are dull. If we are sinister, they are only a little more sinister. If we are smug, they only emphasise our smugness. If, like the Lord High Everything Else, we were born sneering,* our smile is apt to be a sneer, too.
The most memorable smiles are those which have the quality of the unexpected. A smile that is habitual rarely pleases, for it suggests policy, and the essence of a smile is its spontaneity and lack of deliberation.
But it is no use for those of us who have only humdrum smiles to attempt to set up a smile that is an incantation. Smiles, like poets, are born, not made. If they are made, they are not smiles, but grimaces, and convict us on the spot. They are simply an attempt to circulate false news. There is no remedy for us of the negligible smile, but to be born again and to be born different, not outside but within, for the smile is only the publication of the inward spirit.
Abridged
* A reference to Pooh-Bah in The Mikado (1885) by Sir W. S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan. “My family pride is something inconceivable” he told Nanky-Poo. “I can’t help it. I was born sneering.” He became Lord High Everything Else when all the other ministers resigned rather than serve under Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner, and Pooh-Bah accepted their posts himself. “And the salaries attached to them?” Pish-Tush clarified. “You did.”
Précis
Gardiner conceded that smiles of this bewitching kind are uncommon. Spontaneous smiles inevitably advertise or betray our own natural character, and a contrived or conventional smile is seen through quickly. The only way to acquire a more winning smile, he said, is to acquire a more winning personality — to undergo an inner rebirth. (53 / 60 words)
Gardiner conceded that smiles of this bewitching kind are uncommon. Spontaneous smiles inevitably advertise or betray our own natural character, and a contrived or conventional smile is seen through quickly. The only way to acquire a more winning smile, he said, is to acquire a more winning personality — to undergo an inner rebirth.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: because, besides, despite, must, since, unless, until, who.
About the Author
Alfred George Gardiner (1865-1946) was a journalist, editor and political campaigner. In 1887, joined the Northern Daily Telegraph, and moved to the Blackburn Weekly Telegraph two years later as editor. Gardiner was appointed editor of the Daily News in 1902, which he helped to turn into one of the leading liberal newspapers of the day with a dramatically increased circulation. He resigned over a point of policy in 1919, but by this time he had been writing for the Star for four years under the pen-name of ‘Alpha of the Plough’ — like other contributors, he chose a name drawn from astronomy. His essays were regarded highly for their craft and good humour, and several collections were published.
Archive
Word Games
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Gay. News. Which.
2 Choice. Not. Well.
3 Atmosphere. But. Incantation.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Verb and Noun Find in Think and Speak
Many words can serve as noun or verb depending on context: see if you can prove this with the examples below. Nouns go well with words such as the/a, or his/her; verbs go well after I/you/he etc..
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Spot. 2 Smile. 3 Reason. 4 Use. 5 Man. 6 Rate. 7 Can. 8 Set. 9 Lack.
Variations: 1.if possible, use your noun in the plural, e.g. cat → cats. 2.use your verb in a past form, e.g. go → went. 3.use your noun in a sentence with one of these words: any, enough, fewer, less, no, some.
Homophones Find in Think and Speak
In each group below, you will find words that sound the same, but differ in spelling and also in meaning. Compose your own sentences to bring out the differences between them.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
High Tiles Find in Think and Speak
Make words (three letters or more) from the seven letters showing below, using any letter once only. Each letter carries a score. What is the highest-scoring word you can make?
Your Words ()
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