Essay Sight Test (2010)
Emily Nussbaum’s “Net Gain: A
Pollyanna-ish View of Online Personals”
Model Student Answers
STRUCTURE AND STRATEGY #1
1.a) What is the purpose of the
argument/persuasion pattern? (1)
The purpose of argument/persuasion is to
convince the reader to have a certain point of
view. As the writer, you use
argument/persuasion to try and pull your
audience over to your side and persuade them
to think a certain way about a topic.
STRUCTURE AND STRATEGY #1
1. b) What is the difference between
argument and persuasion? (1)
Argument uses a logical and factual
approach to convince the reader, while
persuasion uses emotion (appeals to
emotion) to convince. It is a matter of the
brain vs. a matter of the heart.
STRUCTURE AND STRATEGY #1
1.
c) Is this essay an example of argument or persuasion—or both?
Support your answer with evidence from the essay. (3)
I believe this example is both argument and persuasion. It is
argumentative because the author does use logic and evidence to
back up her opinion. When she explains, “...judging from
anecdotal evidence, much more popular” (257), she uses the
evidence that on-line dating is more popular than putting an ad in
the paper. She is also very logical in her argument when she says
that online ads are “more informative and more frank” (257). She
also uses their-side my-side strategy in paragraph 5, a strategy
used often in argumentative writing: “Rather than seeing this
technical innovation as the death of a romance, or some kind of
mechanized nightmare, I wonder if it isn't in fact a change for the
better...” (258).
1. c) continued
There are many examples of persuasive writing as well: “For starters,
profiles turn good writing into a turn on...” (258). In this example,
the author uses the emotion of being “turned on” by someone’s
writing to prove that online dating is appealing. She also injects her
essay with a lot of humour to engage the reader emotionally, for
example when she writes, “What, it's better to go to the cafe and
have an awkward conversation, then be dumped for your double
chin?” (259).
STRUCTURE AND STRATEGY #2
2. a) What other organizational pattern does
Nussbaum employ? Be specific. (1)
Nussbaum also employs the
comparison/contrast organizational pattern.
She is using contrast in exploring the differences
between online ads/dating, and dating in the
‘real world’/other forms of dating such as print
personal ads.
STRUCTURE AND STRATEGY #2
2. b) How can you tell? Support your answer with
evidence from the essay. (1)
“A newsprint personal is terse and permanent, something
one whispers to a copy editor...In contrast, a personal ad
online is a linked, living creature.” (257 – 258). This
quotation shows that this essay also involves contrast
because it actually uses the phrase “in contrast” and it is
also pointing out the differences between putting an ad
in the newspaper and putting one on the internet. [Also:
“Online ads, in contrast,...” (257) and “unlike purely print
ads...” (258)]
Other Possibility for #2
Another possibility: extended definition—what IS an
on-line personal ad?
- more informative, more frank, dynamic...
Not causal analysis: The causes for using an on-line
personal are not explored (lonely? seeking
companionship?)--mistaking the benefits for causes
Not process analysis: not a step-by-step as to how to
set up an on-line personal ad (directional), nor is it
explaining how the process occurs (informational)
STRUCTURE AND STRATEGY #3
3. Explain,in your own words, Nussbaum’s thesis. (2)
Nussbaum believes that online personals are
superior to print ads because they are are a newer,
much more informative and socially enhancing—
not to mention entertaining—method of finding
genuine strangers who may be compatible with
you.
STRUCTURE AND STRATEGY #4
4. What is the tone of this essay? Identify the specific tone, and prove
it using 2 different pieces of evidence from the essay. Explain
how your evidence creates the tone you have identified. (3)
Just from reading the title, the tone of the essay is evident. The
word “Pollyanna-ish” means cheerfully optimistic. This almost
instantly gives away the tone. The tone did match the title—it
was certainly playful and positive. Her playful tone is evident
when she cracks jokes like, “Where else can you make a romantic
impulse buy at 3 a.m., other than the West Side Highway?” (257)
and “What, it’s better to go to the cafe and have an awkward
conversation, then be dumped for your double chin?” (259).
Nussbaum’s optimism is evident in her diction when she refers to
dating online as “progress” (259), and cites the “best part” and
“greatest strength” (259) of online dating sites.
CONTENT AND PURPOSE #1
1.
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Identify eight benefits that Nussbaum sees to online ads and
online dating as opposed to “the old-style personal ad.” (4)
More informative
More frank
More popular
A satisfying creative experience
Dynamic and changeable
Socially beneficial
“date without dating”; collaborative—interact with friends
Rich in material (pictures, more info)
Randomizing effect gets you out of your usual sphere
More playful rather than business-like
CONTENT AND PURPOSE #2
2. Does Nussbaum think that online dating
leads to better relationships? Support your
answer with evidence from the essay. (2)
Nussbaum doesn’t necessarily think that it will
lead to better relationships, stating “the pay off
rate for online personals is inevitably low, and
the oh-well anecdote rate high.” (para 5, 258)
CONTENT AND PURPOSE #3
3. Paragraphs 1 and 4 both conclude with a rhetorical
device.
a) Identify each device, and define each. (2)
The rhetorical device used at the end of paragraph
1 is a metaphor. A metaphor is a comparison
without using “like” or “as.” It is also
personification—giving human
characteristics/abilities to objects or animals. The
rhetorical device at the end of paragraph 4 is a
simile, which is a comparison using “like” or “as.”
CONTENT AND PURPOSE #3
3. b) Decide which device is more effective in supporting
Nussbaum’s stance, and explain your choice. Be
thoughtful and detailed in your response. (2)
I feel the simile had a stronger effect on me, the reader,
because it was much easier to understand. The metaphor
is rather lengthy and difficult to make complete sense of.
The simile describes how an online profile may be taken
down or put back up on a website at any time. The word
“revved” implies an energetic feeling and one can
envision a motorcycle being resurrected and the
triumphant look of the one turning the ignition.
CONTENT AND PURPOSE #4
4. a) What is the main idea in paragraph 6, and how
does it support Nussbaum’s thesis? (2)
Read beyond the first sentence!!!!
Nussbaum’s main idea is that online ads and dating
positively affect the connection between an individual’s
personal dating life, and their friends. This supports
Nussbaum’s thesis because it explains that the
companionship makes online personal ads more
enjoyable and less frightening. Because online personals
can be edited, friends can give input and positive
feedback to make the experience more enjoyable for the
one who is participating in the online dating.
CONTENT AND PURPOSE #4
4. b) Paragraph 6 includes three allusions. Choose one of these
allusions and explain how it does a good job of supporting
Nussbaum’s main idea in that paragraph. (1)
Choose 1 of 3 allusions: Noah’s Ark, Madlibs, Henry Rollins
Nussbaum’s allusion to Madlibs does a very good job of supporting her
thesis. Madlibs is a fun, interactive game in which friends work
together to create a story by filling in blanks. By saying that online ads
make dating more like Madlibs, Nussbaum is backing up her thesis by
implying that online dating is superior to print ads/traditional dating
because it is more collaborative, interactive, and enjoyable.
Evidence of Active Reading /5
See front of room for a student exemplar—5/5!
- underlining and highlighting are a start, but not
enough!
- Summarize main ideas!
- Ask questions!
- Identify unknown terms!
- Make connections—to self, world, other texts!