Question

Which of the following best describes the organization of the selection? o A Problem and solution Excerpt from "The Duty of Writers" by E. B. White (1) I was sorry to hear the other day that a certain writer, appalled by the cruel events of the world, had pledged himself never to write anything that wasn't constructive and significant and liberty-loving. (2) I have an idea that this, in its own way, is bad news. (3) All word-mongers, at one time or another, have felt the divine necessity of using their talents, if any, on the side of right-but I didn't realize that they were making any resolutions to that effect, and I don't think they should. (4) When liberty's position is challenged, artists and writers are the ones who first take up the sword. (5) They do so without persuasion, for the battle is peculiarly their own. (6) In the nature of things, a person engaged in the flimsy business of expressing himself on paper is dependent on the large general privilege of being heard. (7) Any intimation that this privilege may be revoked throws a writer into a panic. B Question and answer o c Comparison and contrast D Argument and counterargument (8) The movement is spreading. (9) I know of one gifted crackpot who used to be employed gainfully in the fields of humor and satire, who has taken a solemn pledge not to write anything funny or light-hearted or "insignificant" again till things get straightened around in the world. (10) This seems to me distinctly deleterious and a little silly: (11) A literature composed of nothing but liberty-loving thoughts is little better than the propaganda which it seeks to defeat. (12) In a free country it is the duty of writers to pay no attention to duty. (13) Only under a dictatorship is literature expected to exhibit a harmonious design or an inspirational tone. (14) A despot doesn't fear eloquent writers preaching freedom-he fears a drunken poet who may crack a joke that will take hold. (15) His gravest concern is lest gaiety, or truth in sheep's clothing, somewhere gain a foothold, lest joy in some unguarded moment be unconfined: (16) I honestly don't believe that a humorist should take the veil today; he should wear his bells night and day, and squeeze the uttermost jape, even though he may feel more like writing a strong letter to the Herald Tribune.

Answer 1

Answer:

The organization of the selection is in the form of argument-counterargument. The writer is countering the arguments in order to make his points clear. Hence, option D is the correct option.

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