Close Analysis Essays
“On Laziness”
A: 7. Good thesis, followed well with discussion of diction and how appeals to various audiences work
(spiritual; Germans in WWI (though student mistakes the reference to the Germans as WWII; essay was
written in 1920). Good use of quotes to support, Qs could use more development. Missing: terms.
Ethos? Logos? Pathos? Antithesis? Etc? (Though the student describes these, the terms are not used.)
B: between a 4 and 5. Almost adequate. Thesis: author uses laid back and lazy style. Describes tone as
informal, does not provide evidence. Logos, Ethos, and Pathos touched on. Examples are brief and need
a bit more development. Attempt to cover diction.
C: 4 . Thesis: through sheer diction draws the reader into the theme of laziness…outside texts…sense of
tone…backs up his views. Discussion of word choice seems ineffective. Smart people with good vocab
can be lazy…. Discusses use of “we”. Brings up vocab, pathos, and syntax but does not develop. No real
support from text.
D: 5ish. Thesis: By use of diction, pathos, and syntax, Morley is able to demonstrate that everyone can
be lazy, and why. Word choice. Concedes “indolent” makes point on no other words for lazy shows
laziness. Use of “we.” Organization. Germans. Overall—a valiant effort, but feels underdeveloped.
E: 4 Inadequate. Thesis: Morley supports laziness and then explains why it’s great through ethos and
logos. Analyzes anecdote of man who learns to “[stop] frittering his time away”. Needs more
development. Germans and the logos of it. NMD. Doctor Johnson. Logos. Again: NMD.
F: 4. Thesis: In order to achieve his purpose, Morley uses the styles of diction, allusion. “We” and “our”.
Decent development. Quote. Attempt at full development (less than fully effective). Allusion. (not
actually “allusion” I don’t think). Concludes. Nice try.
G: 7: Effective essay. Strong use of language. Good voice. Thesis: The essay uses staire as a device to
condone laziness. Uses opening line effectively to show satire. “Multiple humorous contraditions.” Very
nice paragraph. Effective use of summary, decent, though slightly underdeveloped use of quote. Weak
and false logos. Not sure this works in terms of terms, but the arguments are good.
H: 5ish. Adequate. Ish. Thesis: Through the use of humor, convincing diction, and precise examples,
Morley is able to show that indolence may actually be a path to success and happiness, something that I
can definitely support. Good first paragraph, except: Why not quote the opening line rather than only
referring to it? Paragraph based on quote. Adequate development. Next paragraph also based on quote.
Adequate. Ish. Overall: decent attempt. Thesis does not completely guide the essay (middle body
paragraph). Overwritten a bit—adjectives and other expressions almost melodramatic.
I: 2. Thesis: He uses a few ways to convey this purpose to the reader. Chesterfield letter. Not set up
contextually, or well developed. Use of quote: “Lazy man doesn’t pass the buck.” Not developed. Last
paragraph: again—not developed. Perfunctory effort. No serious attempt at a thesis or development of
points.
J: 3 -4. Thesis: using what we see as positive examples in a negative way, pointing out what bliss it is to
be lazy and also praising the people who choose to become lazy, all done with an almost sarcastic tone
intertwined with reverse psychology to convince the reader that laziness isn’t in fact a positive attribute.
Three quotes in first body paragraph, all underdeveloped. German paragraph. Needs some context, then
turns without real segue to staying out of progress’ way. Sarcastic tone, Dr. Johnson anecdote
underdeveloped. Overall: a decent attempt. I see good organizational effort (though focus wanders).
Thesis is cumbersome and unwieldy, making a successful essay difficult to write.