Ok, some stuff on Personal Essays. Analysis of Lopate Intro.

Personal essays are interesting pieces of nonfiction. They aren't just about the writer, they are about all of us. It's easy to write for others, even when writing for yourself. Just like Stuart Hampshire said, "It's natural to engage in disputes with others because it is natural to dispute with one's self". And the personal essay is especially effective because it accomplishes Hazlitt's criteria for effective language; it creates a dialogue like context rather than an authoritative approach. It is also interesting to ponder the ways that personal essays challenge the norms society holds.