The principles of poor writing

By Paul W. Merrill

Questions for study and discussion

1. Irony is the use of words to suggest something different from their
meaning. At what point in the essay did you realize that Merrill is being
ironic? Did his title, introduction, or actual advice tip you off? Explain.
Merrill was being ironic all throughout his essay including his title thats
what really tip me off.

2. Is the authors process analysis the directional type or the

informational type? The author process analysis the directional type.
What leads you to this conclusion? It leads me to this conclusion
because he explains how to do something step by step.

3. Why has Merrill ordered his three process steps in this particular way?
Could he have used a different order? Explain. I think he wrote it in that
particular order because thats the same order of the writing process
but in an ironic way. I dont think he could have wrote it differently

4. How useful are the authors examples in helping you understand his
principles? Do you agree with all his examples? Explain.
I do agree with his examples I see them useful and direct and it help
you understand better.

5. Why do you suppose Merrill chose to use irony to show his readers that
they needed to improve their writing? Sometimes people dont really
listen when there instructed to do things a certain way and do the
opposite. What do you see as the potential advantages and
disadvantages to such strategy? I guess there is advantages because if
he explains the suppose dos people would not do what he says to
do.

6. In what types of writing situations is irony especially useful? Irony could

be useful when trying to get a point across by saying soothing but
really meaning something else.