English for Academic and Professional

Purposes

Submitted by:

Aquino, Ian Alexander

Gonzales, Ezekiel
Redor, Angelica Modesta
Onda, Justin Ferriols
Ocubillo, Freya Lyn
Estella, Krista Lyn
Montinola, Gia
Suelo, Trisha Mae

St. Francis of Assisi

February 2018
 Comprehension Questions
Page 88
About the Structure
[Question no. 1]
What is the essay about? What is its thesis?
How a man dislikes being a man.
[Question no. 2]
How did Paul Theroux develop the essay’s thesis?
He described the essay’s thesis by telling his experiences and other perspectives about
being a man/being a man.
[Question no. 3]
What doyou think is the purpose of the writer?
It isto open up everyone’s eyes and to clear things that a man will not always have to do
certain things to be a man. Thus, most of men think about what women would have to say about
them if they did or have done something a so called man shouldn’t.
[Question no. 4]
Go back to your annotation. What are the words that you found difficult to understand?
The following are the words that I am not familiar with:
 Grotesque: Odd in shape, appearance or character.
 Pugnacity: Readily inclined to fights of quarrel.
 Roistered: To act or revel noisily in a boisterous manner.
 Subverted: To corrupt or undermine a principle.
[Question no. 5]
Are there concepts and/or references mentioned in the text that you are not familiar with? What
are those?
Yes, concepts or references like, “Personality Development and Psychopathology” were
mentioned in the text. I actually have no idea about what those references were about, so I’m not
familiar with it at all. The reference, “Lives in new York with her three children.” Was
mentioned in the text also.
[Question no. 6]
Based on the language and style of the writer, who do you think is the target audience of this
essay?
The target audience of this essay is for all of us. The message of this essay adresses the
“society” that not all men are expected to be superior in all ways. It wants us to understand that
the whole idea of manhood is not just to be dominant in many ways but to think fairly, for their
lives are just as bad as what feminism on women is all about.

Comprehension Questions
Page 88
About the content
[Question no. 7]
Why does Theroux dislike being a man?
Paul hates being a man and the idea of manhoond in America. It does not fit every man’s
life and how every man should be. Being a man is stereotypical in what they can do or say. Men
are supposed to be manly creatures — carrying a knife and playing sports.
[Question no. 8]
Based on his different definitiions, what is his concept of being a man?
Paul is very upset with how society makes the whole idea of manhood in America. He is
definitely against the whole how a man should be manly type thing. Paul just wants the men and
women to be eual and to be able to do “women-like” things like be a writer without being called
anything less than a man. He thinks it is pretty stupid how men are supposed to only do sports
and can’t think for themselves, as well as not be alone.

[Question no. 9]
Does your concept of manhood/manliness discussed in the warm-up activity match to
Theroux’sconcept of manhood? What accounts for the similarities or differences? What/who has
influenced your definition of the concept?
I could definitely agree with Paul on what he had to say. I think it is juvenile to have a
girl way and a boy way about things. Men should be able to do arts-like things without it making
them any less of a man.
[Question no. 10]
What do you think are the issues in the Theroux’s definitions of manhood?
I think that the issue is the society makes men out to be boys then turning into a man, you
can’t just be a man. I think there shouldn’t be anything that is manlyor feminine-like. Sexism
shouldn’t be promoted in the society. People must do what they want and make up how things
should be.

After Reading Activity

Page 88
Definition Technique used
Paragraph 2, sentence 5 Etymology because it explain where the word
“man” came from.
Paragraph 2, sentence 4 Analogy because it discusses two different
topics but the second topic were familiar to all
of us.
Paragraph 12, sentence 1 onwards Classification since it shows the topics being
fit into larger category

Motivation
Page 90; [Part I]

Thesis Statement: The idea of manhood in America is pitiful and the lives of men, with reason,
are just bad.
I. Being a man means. “be stupid, be unfeeling, obedient, soldierly, and stop thinking.”

A. The definition of being a man was very nature destructive – emotionally damaging and socially
harmful.
II. A different perception of Femininity and Masculinity.

A. Femininity implies needing man as witness and seducer but masculinity celebrates the
exclusive company of man.
B. No manliness without inadequacy since it denies men the natural friendship of men.
III. There is an objection to the way the boys turn boys into a men.

A. Being a writer was incompatible with being a man.

 Motivation
Page 90; [Part II]

Purpose Content Qualities

Providing an in-depth Definitions; Accurate;

discussion of a topic;
A concept paper contains The concepts shown must be

To clarify a certain concept definition that can be formal, describe and analysed clearly.

and its nature to define its informal, or extended.

‘quality’.

Providing a summary of a Explanations; Sufficient information is

topic; presented;
Different techniques of

It can be used to clarify defining can be used like in Since the topic is broken

misinterpretations when it the said essay, narration was down into parts, it is no

comes to a meaning of a term. used. longer convoluted.

Providing an explanation for Examples Comprehensible

a topic

Discusses the essence of a References Focused

concept

Defines an idea Coherent Sentences Well-organized

 Comprehension Questions
Page 93
[Question no. 1]
What is Judy Brady’s main thesis in the essay?
The reasons why she wants a wife.
[Question no. 2]
What is the concept being defined in the essay?
The concept being defined is the concept of a wife
[Question no. 3]
Why does she want a wife?
Generally because she wants the benefits a wife gives to her husband.
[Question no. 4]
How was the concept developed? What techniques of defining were used?
It started on how she classified herself as a wife — classification, giving the reasons on
why she wanted to have a wife — exemplification, and finally concluded the text.
[Question no. 5]
What is her definition of a wife or of being a wife?
Her definition of a wife is a person who fulfils her responsibilities to her family, provides
help and assistance in household necessities, expresses care and sympathy, and prioritizes her
family’s well-being than her work.
[Question no. 6]
Does the essay have a clear structure? Is there a clear introduction, body, and conclusion?
Yes, it has a clear introduction, body and conclusion.
[Question no. 7]
What is the purpose of the writer in defining the concept?
To really explain the benefits of having a wife.
[Question no. 8]
Is there a significant difference between the role of a wife and of a mother?
 Yes, a wife has responsibilities for her husband and a mother has responsiblities for her
kids.

[Question no. 9]
Is the essay a good sample of a concept paper? Why?
Yes, the concept was really explained well.
[Question no. 10]
Do you now have a much clearer understanding of what a concept paper is through this simple
essay? How would you define a concept paper now?
Yes, I now have a clearer understanding of what a concept paper is. For me, a concept
paper provides an in depth definition of a concept with extensive elaboration.
Peer Evaluation Sheet for Concept Paper
Pages 96-97
1. What is the concept being defined? What is the initial definition given?
Shown in the selection are the qualities of being a woman with the underlying role of a wife.
The initial definition is about the ideal wife of the writer, if ever time may come that she’d have a
wife. Stated in the story were what society deems as the action of women, most especially as wives
in the house. The ideals written were of prejudice, and were mostly based on stereotypes.
2. How did the writer develop the definition? What different techniques of defining were
used?
The writer developed her definition of a wife through an extended definition, particularly using
narration, description as well as exemplification/functional analysis as the main methods of
paragraph development.
3. Is the definition both sufficiently inclusive and sufficiently exclusive? In what way? Does
the development of the definition emphasize only relevant aspects, classes, application,
etc.?
The selection shows a fair number of definition that were solely based on the writer’s
subjective knowledge regarding the stereotypical association of women in the society —
particularly as wives. The development of the definition, however, was exclusive on women and
doesn’t go further than the attributes of women as wives. It was not sufficiently inclusive, as the
writing only focused on the qualities of a woman being a wife, and nothing away from that matter
was included, except for the part wherein the writer asked readers, “My God, who would want a
wife?”
4. Is the concept defined, described, and analyzed in clear language and syntax? Is the
concept discussed clearly and in specific terms that it can be easily related to experience?
 The selection was written in clear language and syntax, as the writer didn’t use any kind of
figurative speech. Moreover, it was exclusively regarding a woman’s ideal wife, and not on
anything away from the subject. The concept was discussed clearly and in specific terms that could
easily be related to experience, because the writer had chosen not to write in symbolic terms, rather,
with plain, general and straightforward descriptions.

5. What did you like most about the essay? How did that idea help in the development of
the thesis of the essay?
We have liked the conclusion of the writing with the statement, “My God, who would want a
wife?” The statement showcased the case of the selection being too specific as to what the perfect
wife would be. The writing was solely focused on the idea of having a perfect wife, and not a
single time did it show the possible flaws of a woman, most especially as a wife. The idea helped
in the development of the thesis of the essay through providing a firm division between the writer’s
prejudice and the audience’s stand regarding the matter of having a wife. In short, the selection
didn’t end with the writer’s enforcement of what she thinks is the best kind of wife, rather, the
writer left the decision to the responsibility of the readers.
6. What confused, bothered, or unsettled you about the essay? How can it be improved?
We were particularly bothered by the fact that the writer had the thirst of having a wife with
the perfect qualities. However, it can be improved if the writer’s point of view isn’t as firm
throughout the writing. This could be given aid through the minimization of the writer’s review
regarding women’s qualities, and not solely attributing it to being wives. In addition, a good
standpoint could better be achieved if not only the writer’s viewpoints are integrated, but with the
inclusivity of the thoughts of those who do not favor the one-sided arguments present in the
selection.
7. What part of the essay needs to be developed? What needs to be added?
All we wish for is the integration of different viewpoints on the matter of having a wife, and
not being solely based on the writer’s point of view. The presence of different perceptions would
better be appreciated if it was put into the writing.
8. Where does it need to be cut? Can the focus of the essay be sharpened by deleting some
segments, repetition of ideas, or irrelevant ideas? Which parts can be dropped?
The writing doesn’t need to be cut, but it needs to be lengthened through different viewpoints,
both subjective and objective. This would improve the essay a lot, and would cut off biased
judgments from readers who oppose the writer’s agenda. The essay can be sharpened by deleting
some segments that repetitively conclude women as the only ones responsible for the stereotypical
roles of wives. An example would be:
“I want a wife who will have arranged that the children do not bother us. I want a wife who takes
care of the needs of my guests so that they feel comfortable, who makes sure that they have an
ashtray, that they are passed the hors d’oeuvres, that they are offered a second helping of the food,
that their wine glasses are replenished when necessary, that their coffee is served to them as they
like it. And I want a wife who knows that sometimes I need a night out by myself.”
The conclusion of this part of the essay is that the writer wants a wife who could take up the role
of a kitchen servant properly. We believe that men can also be responsible for this role, and not
only women are accountable to tasks that are related to serving food. We believe that gender
equality is a must, and that stereotypical remarks should soon be disregarded, because it does no
good but degrade men and women of their equality. No gender is superior, and that’s what we
really believe in.