Friday, November 15, 2013
"What are Essays?" by Joseph Kelly and "Grill, Chill, and Drill" by Maureen Dowd
First read "What are Essays?" by Joseph Kelly, annotating the passage. Then, read "Grill, Chill, and Drill" by Maureen Dowd. Please post a comment on the blog in which you apply the advice of Kelly in some form to Dowd's essay.
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Dowd's essay is a personal essay. The "What are Essays" passage says that when writing a personal essay it is better to use a conversational writing style than a sophisticated writing style. Dowd does that because he uses words like "freaky-shaped", "baddest", and "superduperjumbo". His word choice makes me feel like he is having a conversation with someone instead of writing an essay that would be published on the internet. Kelly also says that personal essays appeal to our emotions and may make us laugh. I laughed several times while reading Dowd's essay. Dowd's essay follows the rules of a personal essay.
ReplyDeleteI like your points and it makes sense that it would be a personal essay. I believed it was an opinion essay because he was criticizing the attitude of America. Your comment makes me think that it could be either personal or opinion.
Delete3/5 I disagree that Dowd's essay is personal. Although I understand why you categorize it as such, Taylor, it is not anecdotal, and SHE is trying to convince the audience of something.
DeleteMaureen Dowd's essay is a personal essay. In Joseph Kelly's passage he goes into great detail about a personal essay being used as a conversational writing style and based upon opinions as well. Maureen Dowd uses this technique when he says "If we don't wear our seat belts, it doesn't matter, because we have airbags." When Dowd said that it made me really think he was carrying on a conversation with someone. Dowd made me laugh, think, and, observe his words several times. Reading through Dowd's entire essay I realize he follows the rules of a personal essay explained by Joseph Kelly.
ReplyDeleteI thought that Dowd's essay was an opinion essay because Kelly says that a personal essay deals speaks of an experience of the author's and Dowd is just conversationally talking about American's attitudes. He never mentions a situation he experienced. I do agree with your though on his humor and his conversational tone.
DeleteI agree with you about it somewhat being personal. When he uses a conversational writing style it makes it personal, but i also believe it was opinion. By him criticizing the attitude of America it was opinionated.
Delete2/5 "personal essay being used as a conversational writing style" Don't you mean that conversational writing style is used in the personal essay? Dowd=she. No comma after "and."
DeleteI agree with you, Madeline. Opinion essay. Careful with careless errors.
Mareen Dowd writes an opinion essay on the demanding, go-getting attitude of today's Americans. Joseph Kelly states that many opinion essays are more or less attempting to "change the minds and attitudes" of the audience rather than persuade them to perform an action. Dowd does just this. His goal is to persuade American's to rid themselves of the self-righteous, all deserving attitudes that we have as a nation. He gets this point across by connecting to the audience through a use of slang. His tone is very conversational and persuades the audience to listen to him. Next, Dowd uses sarcasm to add humor to the essay. Throughout reading the essay I began to feel embarrassed to be part of a country that follows the mindset that Dowd portrayed. And, I believe that was what Dowd was going for. To mock the population so that they may see just how absurd our line of thinking is.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your response, but I wouldn't be embarrassed to say that I once have had a thought like the one Dowd portrays. But, I do think he was trying to mock us, so we could see how "crazy" the things we say or do are.
DeleteI partially agree with you. I agree that Dowd's goal is to persuade his readers to perform and action. However, I do not agree with your last few statements. I do not think that Dowd was trying to mock the population to show ridiculous America's like of thinking is. I believe that Dowd thought that was the best way to get his point across to all the people of America, not just the sophisticated.
Delete4/5 Excellent response, Madeline. Good observation about use of slang--it connects. Good to describe his purpose, your reaction. Dowd=she
DeleteMierra--Madeline feels embarrassed to be a part of this selfish group of people; she doesn't feel embarrassed that she's had thoughts like Dowd.
Bekah--Did Madeline assert that Dowd was aiming for the sophisticated?
While reading Mareen Dowds essay he is very opinionated of the present Americans and their society. He has a very factual attitude and it feels like he is carrying on a conversation. But throughout Dowds essay he is extremely persuasive about Americans and their society. He tries to make you have a different outlook on America by connecting people through their daily lives, jobs, technology, money, and government. Joseph Kelly delivers that to have the art of persausion you have to be able to concieve sophsticated skills which Dowd follows under the category of. He appeals to pathos by linking peoples emotions towards this essay and making them feel ashamed and embarrassed of how America is not at all what is perceived by others and what it is made out to be. He also uses humor and sarcasm to keep the reader allured. I believe Dowd was trying to get people to see how America is not what it is set out to look like he succeeds at this because of his logic, persuasion, and mockery.
ReplyDeleteI initially thought that the essay was personal but now I realize that it was more opinionated than personal. I like your thought about how America is not what it is made out to be. I agree that the piece also contains humor and sarcasm.
Delete3/5 Dowd=she. Would be interesting to analyze the use of facts in this essay. Good about emotions; the reader does feel shame and embarrassment.
DeleteGood, Taylor!
Maureen Dowd composes an opinionated essay addressing the attitude of today's Americans. Joseph Kelly states that opinion essays "criticize" or "complain" instead of asking them to perform an action. Dowd gets his point across because he uses informal language to connect with the people of today's society. This opinionated essay is very humorous, and he uses sarcasm to point that out. Maureen Dowd is totally right, though. He writes this essay to ridicule Americans, and maybe they can change their train of thinking.
ReplyDeleteI believe everything that you have said. I also thought that Dowds essay was opinionated and it was directed towards the present Americans. I think it was a good point that you said he used informal language I did not think of that. I also said he was humorous and used sarcasm. I think everything you said was on point with what I said too. I think he tried changing peoples minds about America and Citizens and how it really wasn't what people thought it was
Delete2/5 Need to hear a little more about Kelly, more specifics from text. Going in the right general direction, though. I agree with Ashley about the good point about informal language.
DeleteMaureen Dowd's essay "Drill, Grill and Chill" is very straight to the point, he states his option in a very matter-of-fact manner. His use of sarcasm and humor is very apparent throughout the passage. Dowd uses a conversational writing style, as suggested in "What Are Essays?" by his use of words such as"freaky-shaped", "baddest", and "superduperjumbo". This connects to the reader in a friendly personal level.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, I believe that Dowd did connect to the reader on a friendly personal level. He used humor and informal language to appeal more to his audience. I think he was being very sarcastic, but his attitude wasn't blunt; I thought it was kind of lighthearted because he was joking around and using such informal writing.
Delete2/5 More connection with Kelly needed.
DeleteMoeisha, glad you brought up the word "attitude." This essay would be a good one to compare tone versus attitude. The tone is..., but the attitude toward the topic is...
Maureen Dowd's "Drill, Grill and Chill" is a personal essay. It is very comical. Personal essays, according to Joseph Kelly make you laugh and I laughed when I was reading Dowd's article. His article follows the rules of the personal essay that were given by Joseph Kelly. His article is based on many opinions but can be very relate able by the American public. Dowd uses mockery, persuasion and sarcasm to keep his readers into reading his article.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment. Dowd used a lot of mockery and sarcasm in his essay and the effect was both persuasive and funny to the reader.
Delete2/5 Look deeper at Kelly regarding personal essays. Comedy isn't the only criteria.
DeleteI believe that "Drill, Grill, and Chill" by Maureen Dowd is an opinionated essay. He talks about America's way of thinking. He uses informal grammar to get his point across about the uncaring attitude of America. He brings up things like porn and our military to use as examples. He criticizes America on making improvements to be the best. He makes you think that it isn't about bettering America.
ReplyDeleteI agree what you said about him using informal grammar to get his point across about the uncaring attitude of America. Dowd shows us the uncaring attitude with examples like, "If we don't wear our seat belts, it don't matter, because we have air bags."
Delete2/5 Kelly? Informal grammar? Last sentence is a good one. He does make the reader think that it isn't about improving the U.S., but it is, isn't it? Avoid "you," please.
DeleteMaureen Dowd’s essay “Drill, Grill and Chill” is a satirical writing focusing on the egotistical view many Americans have. His use of conversational wording subtly mocks American culture and the view that they are all-powerful and indestructible. Dowd’s statements of “We invented…[the Foreman grill, taffy, air-conditioning, etc.]” imitate the attitude of all-importance and bragging some people have. Joseph Kelly’s writing discussing personal essays applies to “Drill, Grill and Chill”, since Dowd uses a conversational and personal tone throughout the piece.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that Dowd's essay is satirical. Her writing makes fun of our ego-centric culture, and her style is definitely subtle because initially the writer seems sincere. What do you think is her purpose?? I also agree with you that this essay is conversational and personal; however, I did not categorize it as personal.
Delete3/5
Delete"Drill, Grill, and Chill" by Maureen Dowd is a personal essay. The essay follows the rules written by Joseph Kelly. In the essay Dowd uses his opinion to describe American's attitude toward problems in society today. He also uses words live "we invented" in a comical way to draw readers in.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. "Drill, Grill, and Chill by Maureen Dowd does follow the rules of a personal essay and even though it is considered as a personal essay, he inputs his own opinion about American society to address the problem. At the same time, it could also be an opinion essay because he does not talk about a personal experience
Delete2/5 Nope, not personal. And those aren't really rules Kelly offers; I would describe Kelly's ideas as characteristics.
DeleteMaureen Dowd uses his opinions to write an essay that addresses the attitude of American and their culture. His essay appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos. His tone throughout his essay is humorous and sarcastic. He makes a point to be easy-going to not sound to blunt. He mocks American society and the peoples mindset, but in a funny way. He uses informal grammar to show his opinion about how the American public acts, and he wants America to improve their attitude. He gives a different way to view the American society, and makes his audience want to change.
ReplyDelete*American society
DeleteI agree with the fact that he is not trying to sound so blunt. I think it is a personal essay though because it is very conversational and Joseph Kelly said personal essays are conversational. Kelly also said personal essays appeal to our emotions. I laughed while reading his essay and I really did stop and think that Dowd was having a conversation in his essay. Clearly personal essays have opinions within them but they tell a story too.
DeleteI agree with you on that I also noted sarcasm in his essay. To me, I felt like he wasn't trying to say that America needs to improve their attitude, I think he was more along the lines of the fact that we have all these things and was gloating about it when he put them in parenthesis. Example: "We invented air conditioners" He was very humorous and sarcastic.
Delete2/5 Good analysis in your initial comment, Moeisha, but you forgot to bring in Kelly.
DeleteGood point, Nicole, that personal essays tell a story.
Hetal, if Dowd's not proposing at the least in change of attitude, then what is her purpose? Good topic with the parentheses comment. Would be great to address that technique and flesh out analysis.
Dowd’s writing has a very personal flare. In “What are Essays,” it is stated that it is beneficial to write in a conversation style of writing. His diction throughout the whole essay makes me laugh. He is a very funny writer and he makes you feel as if you have a personal relationship with him. They way that he speaks makes the reader feel more comfortable while reading his essay. Dowd follows the rules of a personal essay well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything in your post. Dowd's essay is personal and conversational. I laughed a few times while reading the passage at his word choice as well. I also think he is to the point.
Delete2/5 Dowd=she. Avoid "you."
DeleteIn “Liberties; Drill, Grill and Chill,” Maureen Dowd delivers a gentle wake-up call to the educated American readers of the New York Times; she beckons them to wake up and smell the gourmet coffee. The essay is inductively organized; Dowd lists Americans’ excessive behaviors in short, similarly-designed sentences and in the end arrives at the generalization that “We are America.” This is how we are, the author implies--like it or leave it. What goes unstated is that the way we are is not good. Of course, the offenses are so flagrant that anyone should be able to arrive at that conclusion. Afterall, we demand, we consume, we destroy, we defy, we assume. Dowd’s argument is reasonable because her list is large, accurate, and representative, covering many areas such as modern culture, warfare, and science. The author convincingly conveys our demanding nature and our sense of entitlement and intends that the reader evaluate his own practices to determine what behaviors he can change to help our country become a better steward of her natural resources and a more responsible member of the world community.
ReplyDelete