outside reading xv

Outside Reading XV-
a personal essay
by Zadie Smith
Sweet Charity
14 March, 2011

Sweet Charity is a little editorial about a young woman and her friend.

Smith uses diction to establish a very personal tone. She'll mimic the real way people talk, in order to create a realistic atmosphere and a specific instance. For example, instead of saying "I'm asking you a question" and perhaps describing the loud voice in which it was said, Smith types it out for us: "'BUT DID YOU WASH THEM DOUGH? OI I’M ARKSING YOU AQUESTION. OH MY DAYS SHE AIN’T EVEN WASHED THEM!'” This helps us hear the voice more clearly in our head.

Smith also uses imagery effectively in characterizing the two main characters. She describes their clothes: one girl wore "wasp-waisted Nigerian form neat in sensible skirt suits." while the other enjoyed "One red shoe, one white, a red shirt, a white skirt, and a red-and-white tartan beret." By choosing to describe their clothes, Smith shows that one girl is more reserved and proper, while the other may be more eccentric. 

Smith also creates this personal tone by the details she includes in the essay- she recounts little stories and anecdotes that are very specific to the character. For instance, she describes the unfortunate instance of a too-large skirt falling down on the subway, and the summer spent smoking weed and practicing signatures. By adding these details that are unique to the character, she brings us into her personal and specific world. 

This personal tone is very effective in this essay. It makes the reader more drawn in, and makes it very easy to connect to the character. However, I don't believe it to be suitable for an AP essay. It is interesting, but rather too informal.