Page 350 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing
P. 350
Examining an Essay
The essay embodies all three of the writing techniques featured in this
chapter . Mainly, the essay shows the process through which the
author acquired her superstitions and passed them on to the next
generation. Notice how Pogrebin moves through the process in
chronological order, starting with her childhood and ending with an
anecdote about her own child.
The author also employs definition in her essay. In the first
paragraph, Pogrebin makes it clear that her definition of her topic will
be a personal one. Notice that Pogrebin cites examples of traditional
superstitions before moving on to a discussion of her own brand of
superstition, a common technique in definition essays.
In the third through sixth paragraphs, the author employs
classification as she outlines the various types of behavior that might
allow the “Evil Eye” to inflict harm. Writers often use examples to
illustrate classification. Notice Pogrebin’s clear and sharp examples as
she discusses forbidden behaviors.
Superstitious Minds
Letty Cottin Pogrebin
I am a very rational person. I tend to trust reason more than feeling. 1
But I also happen to be superstitious—in my fashion. Black cats and
rabbits’ feet hold no power for me. My superstitions are my mother’s
