English Language 4

Content Application: The essay as genre

Craft essay 2

Read “The Essay and the Art of Equivocation” by Brandon R. Schrand.

1) What does equivocation mean? What might it reveal when used in fiction and when
used in an essay?

2) Explain the author’s references to:

• Susan Sontag
• Elizabeth Hardwick
• Annie Dillard
• Christopher Newfield

3) What does Schrand think about the terms argumentative essay and exploratory
essay?

4) What points in common and what differences can you find between Schrand and
Lenney’s essays? Make a Venn diagram.

Task 1
The second and third paragraphs of this essay have been edited. Add some words and
phrases to make their tone more tentative. Then, compare your version with someone
else’s.

Guys vs. Men by Dave Barry

So, I'm saying that there's another way to look at males: not as aggressive macho
dominators; not as sensitive, liberated, hugging drummers; but as guys.
And what, exactly, do I mean by "guys"? One of the major characteristics of guyhood is
that we guys don't spend a lot of time pondering our deep innermost feelings. Guys do
not have deep innermost feelings, unless you count, for example, loyalty to the Detroit
Tigers, or fear of bridal showers.
Still, I can describe certain guy characteristics.
Task 2
What do you notice about the following paragraph? What would you change to make it
reflective? In pairs, provide a new version.

Gold, a precious metal, is prized for two important characteristics. First of all, it has a
lustrous beauty that is resistant to corrosion; therefore, it is suitable for jewelry, coins,
and ornamental purposes. Gold never needs to be polished and will remain beautiful
forever. For example, a Macedonian coin remains as untarnished today as the day it was
minted twenty-three centuries ago. Another important characteristic of gold is its
usefulness to industry and science. For many years, it has been used in hundreds of
industrial applications. The most recent use of gold is in astronaut suits. Astronauts
wear gold-plated heat shields for protection outside spaceships. In conclusion, gold is
treasured not only for its beauty but also for its utility.