ENGL101 – Jewell – Timed Writing Practice
For this final writing exercise of the quarter, you may have a printed dictionary (not electronic) on your desk, but nothing
else. I will be grading you essay based on how well you respond to the prompt, whether you make and support an
arguable claim, the specificity of your references to the text, and the clarity of your writing.
Neil Postman makes use of metaphor and hyperbole to present his case in “Virtual Students, Digital Classrooms.” What is
Postman’s main point in the essay? How does he describe the problem and solution? In what ways do metaphor and
hyperbole help illustrate his points? What effects do the metaphor and hyperbole have on tone and persona in the essay?
Was this an effective choice? Why or why not?
Your answer should be approximately 400 words long – about four to five sides of a handwritten page, double-spaced. Be
sure to address the question directly and to keep your focus on it throughout your essay. (A good idea is to quote
important words from the question in the beginning of your essay.) Always support what you say with specific details.