Brittny Ramirez - Chapter 8; Writing a Critical Essay

Chapter 8 on Critical Essay writing was very helpful to me in recognizing the main differences between a research paper and a critical essay. The most helpful was the original student sketch from Julie Bird on page 324/325 and the comparison of her final essay on page 332. While Birds sketch had two very good points or themes of the story "Lullaby", it did not include many passages or evidence to support the points. The overall impression I got from the sketch was that it read more like an opinion piece rather than a supported essay.

Birds final essay, however, was very well supported by many passages with explanation as to the meaning behind each one she chose to share. She also included research, a comment from a Silko critic (Karen E. Waldron) on the historical Navajo heritage which illustrated the oneness these tribes feel with nature rather than something to be viewed. Bird later emphasizes this point by ending her essay with, "Both are "beings"; both share consciousness."

While I enjoyed the other short story, "Whos Irish?" by Gish Gen, It was "Lullaby" and the demonstration between sketch and essay that I learned the most on critical essays.