Notaro Essay

I absolutely loved this essay called A Morsel from the Garden of Eden by Notaro. It grabs your attention in the very first sentence, which is pretty amazing to be able to do. The focus is incredile in this story, it really is right to the point, direct story. The charecters depicted seem real, like anyones grandparents, I'm sure, work at doing something for years and not willing or ready to give it up, and at some point in time having to ask their families and friends to help them do certain things that aren't that easy to do anymore. The sentence varity and the voices of the charecters really pop out at you saying "hey here I am read me first". This essay was easy to read, easy to follow, and really easy to relate to. The conclusion was great, a very happy note, that he wasn't hurt, and he paused to add intensity. I would reccomend anyone who likes comedy, suspense to read this very interesting essay.

Natasha

"Once More to the Lake" by E.B. White essey

White definetly grabs your attention, and I'm sure that everyone has days in paradise so to speak. Making you remember the first time you went fishing. He does seem to focus on a significant event that was constant in his life, kind of growing with the lake in a way. His sensory details are great he made me remember about the time I caught my first fish, but thats a hole other story. the details were so easy to get and understand. A few parts of his use of dialogue , I had to reread because it didn't quite make sense like the last sentence of the essay. I connected on a very personal and peaceful way. The charecters desribed made it easy to follow the plot and the events that were happening. The conclusion was very confusing to me, like I stated before, I just didn't follow it, and I even read it like 5 times, maybe its just me? I don't know, another essay to read again in the future.

Natasha

Sedaris

Sedaris does grab your attention, by the way he jumps right into the moment. He focuses on one event, and sticks with it throughout the essay. He describes the characters well, but doesn't use many sensory words, to describe things. Pieces of the dialogue are a bit confusing to me, and jumping from french to English and back again really took me for a turn.I think that everyone can connect with essay, we have all had teachers that aren't the easiest to get along with, and prove that you are worthy. Events, people, places, and things are well described and easy to follow. The conclusion is right on , although a couple of things mentioned I am dumbfounded by.

Natasha

Sentence Variety

Revised Sam paragraph:

    Sam needed some new boots and a shoe shine kit, so she got in her car and drove to the mall. After getting the things that she needed, she went the food court to get a burrito with onions and peppers on it. Then after eating, she saw a cute boy at the pretzel stand. As the boy looked at Sam she blushed. Then he walked over to her, so Sam said "Hi". The boy just wrinkled his nose, confused, Sam says" Hi" again, he gags and walks away. Sam shocked realizes she has bad breath, and she runs to the bathroom to cry. Then she puts on her new boots and shines them. Confidently Sam walks out of the bathroom, finds the boy and tells him "you need some manners", as she kicks him, with her new boots on. He falls to the ground, as Sam walks away and out of the mall.

Mechanics

Writing has always been something that I enjoyed doing. I considered myself to be not a bad or good writer kind of in between, untill i read the Mechanics part of the Struck and White book, its has a lot of good information in it, about how to word your writings. The mechanic that is my weakest would have to be the use of commas and run on sentences. My strong mechanic is an active voice, sometimes too active. :)

Natasha

"College Pressures"

I have been in college for longer than I like to admit, I have faced all of those pressures, you discussed, and in some way am still suffering through them. It seems though that they all coincide with each other in some mysterious way, that is unknown, yet drawing you into them. Economic pressure, come on who isn't in crisis with their money situations. Peer pressure, we face it everyday, which path you choose is up to you. Self- induced pressure, we all do it, to the extent in which we apply it depends on us and the issues we are facing. Parental pressure, hmm that's a tough one... NOT, who doesn't always feel pressure from their parents, in some way or form, and if you don't please tell me your secret.

Natasha W