QUESTIONS ON “THE TRUTH ABOUT LYING”
Judith Viorst
FACTS
1. Is the essay’s thesis explicit? What is it?
2. What arguments does Viorst offer to defend social lying? What arguments does she
offer against it?
3. Why does telling protective lies “a form of manipulation?”
4. In what way is Viorst’s position on trust-keeping lies contradictory? How does she
respond to that contradiction?
STRATEGY AND STYLE
1. What is the introduction designed to do? Does it succeed?
2. To what end does Viorst address the reader directly?
3. What is it that Viorst keeps repeating? Is it effective or not? Explain.
4. Where does Viorst use contrast?
5. Viorst uses many examples in her essay? Are they convincing or not? Explain.
6. Where in the essay does Viorst engage in definition?
7. Is Viorst’s technique of quoting her friends an effective way to develop her essay?
Why or why not?
8. Does the conclusion make a specific point? If so, what is it? If not, why not?