Matthew Daquelente
QFS & D #5
1. In this essay, written to encourage the use of short words, Lederer himself employs
many polysyllabic words in paragraphs 5-11. What is his purpose in doing so?
(Glossary: Purpose)
Lederer mentions that a measly 20 words make up 25 percent of all spoken
English words, all in which are one syllable. He also states that many poets
recognized the power of these monosyllabic words and incorporated them into
their works. Thus, because of these shorter words popularity he encourages you to
use them throughout your works and speech.
2. Lederer quotes a variety of passages to illustrate the effectiveness of short words.
For example, he quotes from famous, universally familiar sources, such as
Shakespeare and the King James Bible, as well as his own ninth-grade students.
How does the variety of his illustrations serve to inform his readers? How does each
example gain impact from the inclusion of others?
By showing demonstrations and illustrations of this monosyllabic writing you are
able to gain other insight into how writing like this is used in other works, which
can help you create your own. Each example intrigues others into believing that
this one syllable writing is just as powerful as not.
3. To make clear to the reader why short words are effective, Lederer relies heavily on
metaphors and similes, especially in the first four paragraphs. (Glossary: Figure of
Speech) Choose at least one metaphor and one simile from these paragraphs, and
explain the comparison implicit in each.
and short, old words- like sun and grass and home- are the best of all This
simile emphasizes the statement that short words can be as powerful and
impactful as longer words. short words are bright like sparks that glow in the
night. This sentence also illustrates the impact fullness of short words.
4. In paragraph 10, Lederer refers to the relief his students feel when released from
the pressure to produce high-sounding polysyllables. Where does this pressure
come from? How does it relate to the central purpose of his essay?
The pressure of creating a high-sounding polysyllable paper can come from
within when we have trouble formulation bigger more descriptive words to get
our point across as simple or complex as it may be. This relates to the central idea
because by utilizing this monosyllabic writing you can relieve certain stress and
pressures from your writing.
5. How does the final paragraph serve to close the essay effectively? (Glossary:
Beginnings and Endings)
The final paragraph helps effectively close out the essay by almost inviting us to
use this writing style in telling us that you too can tap into the vitality of compact
expression and writing.
6. This essay abounds with examples of striking sentences and passages consisting
entirely of one-syllable words. Choose four of the single-sentence examples of a
section of several sentences from one of the longer examples, and rewrite them,
using primarily words of two or more syllables. Notice how each revision differs
from the original.
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Write a 300 - 500-word composition entirely of one-syllable words on any topic
One day I went out to play with my friend Nate, me and him have been friends for as
long as I know. It was very hot this day so we did not do that much but sit. It was close to ten
A.M. and we went to his house to get a drink. We put lots of ice in cause it was so hot. We sat on
his porch for hours. We both went in to get lunch at noon then went back to his porch. His dog
Max came out and we threw the ball to him. He ran so fast to get the ball and his toys. He would
get a drink when he would bring the ball back to us. He drank so much water that day. We gave
him a treat when he would catch the ball in his mouth when it did not hit the ground first. He got
good at that as he did it more and more. We did not give him treats when he did it more than
three times cause we were scared he would get fat. Max did not sweat while he got the ball for us
but he sweat as we took turns with him. We did this for hours as Max did not sweat as all, but we
knew dogs did not but we were cause it was so hot out that day. My friend had a cat too but he
did not want to play with us. We pet him but he would just go back to his soft bed. Nates cats
name was Joe. Me and my friend and his dog drank so much this day cause we sweat a lot too.
This day was so fun, just cause it was hot did not stop us.
