The Names of Women

A writer’s style has an impact on the reader. For example, Louise Erdrich’s conversational style in “The Names of Women” may make readers feel that they are listening to her personal comments about her ancestry. There are other stylistic elements in this essay. Notice the three breaks—extra lines of space between paragraphs—that create four distinct sections in this essay. Write a short essay in which you analyze these sections. You might begin by mapping out the verb tense and point of view in each section. Then answer the following questions to guide you in your essay: When does the essay become personal? How does the ending of the essay connect to its title?