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

  The essay "One more to the lake" took the reader on a trip back to the authors's, White's, finest childhood memory. White structured his piece in paragraphs of his memories and how they compared to what he was currently seeing as he revisited the lake with his son many years later. A descriptive piece is painted through multiple memories as walt relives them with his son now just as he had done with his father then. Each memory contained the illusion that no time had passed, when in reality multiple years separated the trips to the lake. Some of the things White saw when returning to the lake sparked old memories to come flooding back to him. Everywhere White went around the lake on his trip reminded him of his past experiences, and he began to see so many similarities between his former self and his son he could no longer tell his he was experiencing things in the moment or through a memory.
  As the essay begins to reach its concluding paragraphs white has begun to have been taken over by fear as he watches his son. His sudden stroke of fear is not over a bad memory or fright for his son, his fear is the result of his sudden realization his is getting older. As he watches his son fill his own role during the trip to the lake he slowly begins to recognize he is just as slowly, taking his fathers. At the end of the essay White is struggling with accepting he is growing older.

"The Story of a Hour" Kate Chopin (1894)

Mrs. Mallard’s heart problem is symbolic for her broken relationship with her husband. After she is informed her husband is dead, she endures the first stage of grief but then is over come with a feeling of freeness. As she sat motionless thinking what the loss of her husband would play in her life, she was overcome with the thought she was free, even as she fought the thoughts she repeats the words, “free, free, free.” The Mallards are not engaged in each others relationship. Mr. Mallard has been away from home for a long period of time working on a railroad, most likely earning a wage for him and his wife. Ms. Mallard is filled with the feeling of freedom when her husband is reported dead, but when he arrives home unannounced; she dies of joy when realizing he is not dead. The relationship the Mallards have is complicated; they are dependent on each other for support but are not tied to each other. Although the setting is limited, it is important to themes in the story. With her husband alive, Mrs. Mallard is confined to her large room. As she descends the stair case it is symbolic her releasing herself from her relationship and being “free.”

What Makes a Good Writer and a Good Reader

To be a good writer it benefits from being a good reader, and vise versa. To be a good writer you create material that is both interesting and intriguing or an informative piece to present to readers. Additionally, as a good writer your work reflects your own thoughts and opinions through a personalized style of writing that is engaging to others. Good writing consists of correct grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary. Writers must be astute and careful with their writing, just as good readers must be as well. Good readers are constantly looking for deliberately placed details while being perceptive of the building plot.  At the same time, good readers can be actively reading, such as underlining and marking up writing. They are attentive to details, benefit from taking a general interest in the writing material, and learn or gain something with every piece completed. The more reading someone completes expands his or her writing techniques, while the more writing done amplifies understanding and competence in reading.