The Six+1 Traits of Writing Evaluation

Ideas and Content: The theme in Whale Talk is that what it doesn't matter what other people think of you, and that one should stand up for their friends. This is proven because of the fact that all of the main characters are outcasts at Cutter Highschool. T.J. doesn't wish to take part in any sports, Simon is over weight and not very athletic, Andy is a foulmouthed child with anger issues who only has one leg, Tay-Roy doesn't really participate in sports for the most part either, Jackie is small and doesn't talk, Chris has mental problems, but is still a sweet kid, and Dan is a bookish nerd, not suited to sports. The topic is fairly narrow and focused, but wavers in a few places.

Organization: Whale Talk has an interesting enough opening, and proceedes in a logical order. I think that this book exhibited organization fairly well. The pacing is alright, as well. Transitions that link ideas.....they are fine too, all except for the end one. Everything is fine, all is well, and then you see Rich waving a gun, and then shoot's T.J.'s dad. It's as simple as that. "He smiles, and I feel the most familiar feeling I know, that of the deer slipping away. My father was dead." (Crutcher, 212-213)I suppose it was meant to shock you at the end, but all it did was wake you up a little. That's the way the conclusion went. It was like 'oh...well, isn't that nice.' and then you go on with your life. It's like, you think about it for a second, and then you just don't care anymore.

Voice: I really don't hink most people can connect with Chris Crutcher, or many of his charactesr. Maybe the only reason one keeps reading is because you feel sorry for them? The book may not tempt lots of people (at least.... not normal people...) to read more. The book reallly isn't speaking to the reader. I think that maybe these books are Crutcher's way of dealing with personal/childhood problems. Does it not seem odd that almost every character has experienced child abuse?

Word Choice: Now, Whale Talk does this extremely well. Everything fits together like a puzzle piece, and moves freely. The words keep thinks interesting (<,< hey, SOMETHING has to.) A good example for this is the same exampe I used for organization.

Sentence Fluency: Also something that Whale Talk does very well: sentence fluency. Just as the words fit together to form the sentences, the sentences form together to form pages, ect. I love it when books do that. That smooth, seamless feeling to the words. I could use the same quote I have been using, but I'm not. "Around four, the interior fills again with light, and an engine idles in the near distance. Icko is out the door, scrambling up the hill before most of us can clear our eyes, and before we know it, a state snow plow driver has us standing out in the snow while he hooks a chain to the front bumper and hauls the bus to the highway." (Crutcher, 109)

Conventions: Obviously...being a published book...the conventions in Whale Talk are extremely good. There don't seem to be any (duh) spelling or gramatical errors, and it doesn't look like it's a first draft. It doesn't read like a first draft either. Like I said before: smooth and seamless.

Presentation: Also an easily answered question, the presentation in this book is excellent. PUBLISHED...BOOK.....once again, everything seems at ease because of the hard work of editors. There is no specific format for a book, so there aren't any requirements to meet there.