Introduction
The spread of literacy, said William Hazlitt, should have taught us judgment and taste. Instead, it has taught us how to heap hurtful abuse on anyone who makes us feel challenged or humbled. Critics lavish praise on writers who sneer with them in all the right places, and then suddenly destroy them in the most public fashion — and the reading public laps it up.
Précis
William Hazlitt complained that increased public literacy had not brought the promised benefits. Instead of widening knowledge and raising the tone of debate, it had led to a literary culture dominated by name-calling, mud-slinging and clever lies, and those writers who did display some dignity were sure to attract the worst treatment. (52 / 60 words)
William Hazlitt complained that increased public literacy had not brought the promised benefits. Instead of widening knowledge and raising the tone of debate, it had led to a literary culture dominated by name-calling, mud-slinging and clever lies, and those writers who did display some dignity were sure to attract the worst treatment.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 45 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: because, besides, must, otherwise, ought, since, unless, whereas.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
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