Question

Michaels skillfully uses wit and humor at strategic moments in his essay. Consider, for example, such lines as "what poor people want is not to contribute to diversity but to minimize their contribution to it" (paragraph 9). What are the effects of using wit and humor to write about such a serious subject? What risk does Michaels take in doing so? How effectively would his essay read if such wit and humor were omitted? In formulating your response, identify a few humorous or witty moments and rewrite them with a serious tone. How did changing the tone affect the argument? Do you think a reader would be more—or less—convinced by an argument that was formulated without wit and humor? Explain why.

Answer 1

1. The benefit is that is passes the general message in a surreal manner, the intended message is passed but with a little sense of wit and humor which would create a soft landing on the readers mind without taking away the seriousness of the message passed.

2. Michael risks losing the attention of a few sentimental sect i.e, poor people that feel the joke was not necessary and that shots were taken at them. Not everyone is humorous.

3. The message would still be effective regardless only that, the humor embedded won;t be present and readers that love such would feel what was written was too serious lol.

4. 'The wounded eagle glided as fast as a kite in a storm', this implied that the manner with which the eagle was gliding down, it look as though it was a kite basking in the euphoria of the wind. In a serious tone, it can go like this; 'The wounded eagle quickly sought a resting place'.

Second example is ' Chelsea broke the bones of Manchester United like she was the grim reaper'. With a serious tone; 'Chelsea won Manchester United squarely'

5. Changing the tone made the argument more serious and focused on the intending point.

6. Not necessarily, it all depends on the reader but these days, authors try to spice up stories with a little bit of humor to ensure the attention of their readers stays intact and to also eliminate any chance of boredom.