Question

I. Introduction: Samuel Johnson once said, “I would rather be attacked than unnoticed. For the worst thing you can do to an author is to be silent as to his works.” A. Interpret the quotation: B. Agree or disagree: C. Thesis statement: Which statement would best fit into part C of this outline? Samuel Johnson, often referred to as Dr. Johnson, was known for his poetry as well as his essays and biographies. Johnson’s poem “The Vanity of Human Wishes” was largely ignored by his contemporaries, which made him fear invisibility as an author. Johnson’s sentiment is true because even negative reviews can often trigger in people the desire to read a book or poem. Samuel Johnson is suggesting that it is better for a work to receive a negative response than no response at all.

Answer 1

The statement  “I would rather be attacked than unnoticed. For the worst thing you can do to an author is to be silent as to his works.” refers to the option C.

                               Samuel Johnson, often referred to as Dr. Johnson, was known for his poetry as well as his essays and biographies. Johnson’s poem “The Vanity of Human Wishes” was largely ignored by his contemporaries, which made him fear invisibility as an author. Johnson’s sentiment is true because even negative reviews can often trigger in people the desire to read a book or poem. Samuel Johnson is suggesting that it is better for a work to receive a negative response than no response at all.