Article Reviews
Article 1: Gary Soto’s “Looking for Work”
One initially presumed that the main point of the article was basically the adventure or challenges allegedly encountered by Gary Soto in looking for work. One envisioned the contents to be about the travails of searching for permanent employment which would provide the searcher with a means of livelihood. Therefore, one selected this essay since it would be interesting to find out some additional information or techniques and strategies being applied by the main character in his quest for employment. One deemed that the strategies would be useful in the personal and professional pursuit of future jobs.
Apparently, it turned out that Gary Soto was still a kid, who was only nine years of age and was dreaming of becoming rich. From the facts relayed in the article, it could be deduced that he came from a Hispanic family, Mexican, specifically; and they live in a middle class neighborhood. As such, at that young age, he was apparently envying the traditional high income American families which he reportedly views from television shows. Thus, his concept for looking for work was only to satisfy the simple pleasures of a nine-year old boy.
Actually, one enjoyed reading the article due to the use of rhetorical appeals by the author. There were vivid figurative languages which were effectively applied and enticed the emergence of diverse emotions from the reader: ranging from empathy, excitement, fun, hope, and anticipation for earning additional money to be used as one pleases. This is an interesting article to read, as it evoked different emotions and effectively described looking for work from the point of view of a little Mexican boy.
Article 2: Girl by Jamaica Kincaid
Actually, the information and message relayed in the article turned out to be unexpected. One initially thought that it could be a narrative discourse about the traditional experiences of a girl. However, despite the free writing style, the article was actually fun to read. There were successive statements that were deemed intended to be disclosed in that particular order and writing style that effectively enticed a reaction or response from the readers. For instance, the statement which states: “be sure to wash every day, even if it is with your own spit” could be viewed as funny but gross. Another funny statement was: “don't throw stones at blackbirds, because it might not be a blackbird at all” , which could also be understandably characteristic of a girl. Finally, the article ended in a perfect interrogative manner by invoking the reader to reflect on the proper code of conduct of behavior that a girl should really exhibit and manifest. This article was therefore fun to read; despite it turning out not to be provide the information or message that one initially thought it would.
Article 3: In the Basement of the Ivory Tower by Professor X
was pegged as Professor X). This article was selected since one wanted to find out what the title really meant. Apparently, the message that came across was about college students, specifically those who were required to take English courses, who were deemed unprepared to pursue them. Accordingly, through the teaching experiences of Professor X, and by citing a particular scenario regarding one of his student’s dilemma, the author was able to reveal the challenges encountered by professors with regards to teaching and grading diverse students from all walks of life.
The contents that were relayed actually surpassed what one expected from the article. Since the professor was reportedly an English professor in a private college and a community college, the command of the English language was exemplary. Likewise, the manner, structure, and style of writing exhibited much sophistication and professionalism that readers, who have been immersed in reading various literary genres, could actually appreciate and even empathize on the messages being relayed.
One therefore shares the contention that, taking the perspectives of educators, it would really be challenging and difficult to fail students on the basis of their inability to cope with the requirements of the course. As emphasized, “professors can fail these young people with emotional impunity because many such failures are the students’ own fault: too much time spent texting, too little time with the textbooks” (Professor X 2). Thus, the article conveyed an important lesson that education should be taken seriously to gain the best from what it could comprehesively give.
Works Cited
"Gary Soto’s “Looking for Work”." n.d. Print.
Kincaid, Jamaica. "Girl." 10 May 2013. Print.
X, Professor. "In the Basement of the Ivory Tower." 1 June 2008. The Atlantic. http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/06/in-the-basement-of-the-ivory-tower/306810/2/. 11 June 2013.
