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Essay Writing 14-7

WARM-UP

Which of the following pieces of writing is an essay? How can you identify an essay in con-
trast to other types of writing?

Text 1
DEAR ABBY: I’m 14 and for as long as I can remember, my family has never really been

“together.” We exist with each other physically, but have never connected in a loving way.
I can’t remember my father ever smiling at my mom or being happy. There seems to be an
undercurrent of hostility or resentment in our relationships with each other. The lack of love
in our house is palpable.

I wonder sometimes what it’s like to eat dinner together at night, and what it’s like to
see parents kiss because they love each other — not a stressed, distant, obligated contact.

I f inally asked my mother, “Why don’t you ever hug me?” Her answer was, “Because I
can’t remember the last time you tried to hug ME.”

I’m crying as I write this. Why doesn’t my mother understand that kindness is neces-
sary and should not be conditional? — TROUBLED GIRL IN FLORIDA

Source: “Dear Abby.” Retrieved on July 4, 2013 from http://www.sunjournal.com/news/dear-abby/2013/07/06/teen-gets-
distant-feeling-closest-family-members/1387278.

Text 2
47% of American adults used social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter,

LinkedIn, and Classmates.com in 2011, up from 26% in 2008. On social media sites like these,
users may develop biographical prof iles, communicate with friends and strangers, do research,
and share thoughts, photos, music, links, and more. Opponents of social networking say that
the sites prevent face-to-face communication, waste time on frivolous activity, alter children’s
brains and behavior making them more prone to ADHD, and expose users to predators like
pedophiles and burglars. However, the advantages of social networking outweigh the possible
risks.

First of all, social networking sites spread information faster than any other media. Over
50% of people learn about breaking news on social media. 65% of traditional media reporters
and editors use sites like Facebook and LinkedIn for story research, and 52% use Twitter. Social
networking sites are the top news source for 27.8% of Americans, ranking close to newspapers
(28.8%) and above radio (18.8%) and other print publications (6%).

Second, social networking sites help students do better at school. 59% of students
with access to the Internet report that they use social networking sites to discuss educational