Of the three essays assigned, “What Shamu Taught Me About a Happy Marriage” was very engaging. However, the second essay, “How to Say Nothing in 500 Words” was more effective. Reading the “What Shamu…” essay engaged me because I have experience with training animals and could relate to the authors ideas. However, I was more than slightly upset as I analyzed the essay as she was using training techniques for animals on her husband. It almost seems as she was comparing her husband to an animal that did not have the cognitive abilities of human beings. She took a lighthearted tone in writing the work, but I do not think the intended audience is men. The essay almost read like a feature article in one of the many magazines you find in the
