Reaction to the Three Essays

Even though the three essays are very different in terms of the topics they discuss, they share several general characteristics that make them examples of both essays and good writing. They are all shorter than book-length, but longer than articles. They include background information and many significant details in addition to the primary message or story they convey, but all of this is kept around or under 20 pages. Another common characteristic of the essays is that they present right up front what the main idea is; there is no waiting for a plot line to develop. One thing that these and many, but not necessarily all, essays share is that they are about a very significant experience in the writer's life. That experience could be several hours in duration, such as a conversation with Fidel Castro and Muhammed Ali or it could be several years, such as living in a Puerto Rican neighborhood in New York City.
What makes these essays in particular very good is that they are extremely descriptive and interesting. The use of vivid adjectives and unusual comparisons keeps the reader very engaged, and truly feeling as thoug he or she is a part of the story. I feel that, in essays or any other kind of writing, one of the primary concerns is getting the reader so that he or she wants to keep reading and actually cares about what you have to say. I feel that Ortiz Cofer especially does a magnificant job of that in her work.