No Taking Pictures

J.D. Riso writes an essay called "No Taking Pictures." In this essay Riso describes her experiences in a black market alley with her sister and friends. She is affected by the cruelty of the alley but can't do anything. She laughs off the experience, so she doesn't seem like a sissy even though she is close to throwing up.

The Lesson:

Riso paints a picture in her essay. There were a few times that I felt queasy, so I maybe wouldn't recommend the essay for those that have super sensitive stomachs. However, You are there with Riso as she explores the essay. She gets down to the nitty-gritty details, and feel sick to your stomach as she is about to vomit.

Take a look at this passage from the essay:

"There is a systemic rhythm to his work. He reaches into the aquarium, lays the turtle on the chopping block, brings the butcher knife down in one swift movement, drains the turtle’s blood into a glass, and then tosses the remains on a pile of writhing carcasses. The fat little legs rotate like windup toys running out of steam."

Through these details we feel as though we are seeing the turtle die with the author. Riso's feelings are translated into detail and we are shown how to feel in this essay. Later we see the contrast when Riso laughs because that is the exact opposite of what you feel like doing after this essay.

Riso creates an emotional tie with her audience through the use of her details and dialogue. Her dialogue makes the audience feel as though they can hear the conversations. Her details makes her audience see and smell the alley. Riso uses her writing to her advantage, and we can see her conflict with laughing the situation off.

How to apply this into our own writing:

• Show your audience with the details, don't just tell them how to feel
• concentrate on important details that you remember
• include sensory details including smell, sight, touch, taste, and sound