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Macy Mohamedali
Mrs. Buell
AP Literature and Composition
4 October 2014
Many people of many different ages exemplify laziness everyday. Some people expo laziness more than others. Nevertheless, people still do it. Through the use of thorough exemplification and playful narration, Christopher Morley adds hints of contradiction, commands, and irony to portray laziness throughout his essay.
In the introduction of Morley’s essay, he uses the technique of narration to show contradiction when he says, “Today we rather intended to write an essay on Laziness, but were too indolent to do so” (Pp.64). Morley is saying that they were to lazy to write the essay, although that is exactly what they are doing. The use of contradiction so early on in the essay captures the readers attention.
Irony is prevalent throughout the whole essay. One example of irony is the abundant use of elevated language. Elevated language is typically heard from well educated people, which is ironic because people who are lazy are not usually well educated. His use of irony also brings a touch of humor to the essay. That impels the reader to keep reading the essay.
Morley’s seasoned use of contradiction and irony throughout his essay directly support his claim on laziness, which is that it is frequently adequate to allow one’s self to become lazy, but only during short periods of time. With the use of the techniques of exemplification and narration also contribute to the success of the essay. It gathers the readers attention in a way that makes the essay amusing and enjoyable.
Mohamedali
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