Peer Review Essay 1 JSophia
Peer Review for “The ‘Curried’ Goat”
Specific Detail
Building the plate
- Paragraph 1: The vivid description of the car ride with reggae music and the father’s Chrysler Put me in the car with you singing and all. The detail about the imported speakers and the green sauce on the plate gives us detail
- Paragraph 2: The sensory details about the smell of the curried goat and the white Styrofoam plate almost made me able to smell the dish myself.
- Paragraph 3: The description of Jamaican culture and the mention of the “dutchie pots” and street food corner stands paint a lively vision.
- Paragraph 4: The adult experience in the kitchen, with dancehall music and the open windows and door, is reminiscent and involving.
Little bit more meat
- Paragraph 1: Describing the taste of the curried goat could be a good addition.
- Paragraph 3: Describing the “lavishly made party attire” and “cultural carnivals” with more specific details and examples
- Paragraph 4: Going through the process of making the curried goat in more detail with out giving away your recipe 😊
Questions?
- Does your dad influence your cooking?
- Is there any dialogue between you and your parents as they “airplane” the food into your mouth that can be added.
Scene vs. Summary
Scenes:
- Paragraph 1: The car ride and the sensory experience with the takeout plate.
- Paragraph 2: The kitchen scene when the family arrives home and the anticipation of tasting the curried goat.
Summary:
- Paragraph 3: Overview of Jamaican culture and the historical context of curried goat.
- Paragraph 4: The reflection on your current experience making curried goat as an adult.
Main Message and Significance
The main message of the essay appears to be the significance of culture in the your life, both as a connection to your Jamaican heritage and as a loving family tradition. You explore how food can evoke memories and emotions, bridging the gap between past and present.
Meaningful Lines:
- “The smell however, always grabbed my interest as we’d reach our apartment floor and into our kitchen dwelling.”
- “From the deepest parts of Jamaica, one will find the strongest culture built on music of the dancehall, lavishly made party attire, cultural carnivals & people derived from strong morals, behaviors & beliefs.”
- “In my adulthood I’ve become a kitchen guru in my own way. My curried goat dish preparation now gives an echo of an announcement of its own.
“Structure and Time Frame
Time Frame: Moves from your childhood experiences to their current adult life, reflecting on the continuity of tradition.
Order of Events: The order of events is clear.
Lead: The lead is engaging, immediately placing me in a vivid scene with sensory details that draws me into the narrative.
Suggestions for Changes in Order: The structure is great as it is but consider adding more dialogue and specific moments in Paragraphs 1 and 2 to give us a more connected description.
Successful Aspects
- Voice and Tone: The voice is strong and engaging, with a clear connection to your cultural heritage.
- Subject Matter: The choice of subject matter is relatable and appealing to my senses and emotions.
- Vivid Descriptions: The sensory details throughout the essay effectively added me in the experience.
- Cultural Reflection: The reflection on Jamaican culture adds depth and context to the narrative, making your personal story more meaningful.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed your essay. You did a fantastic job of engaging me in your story. The rich depiction of the culture, music, and food inspired me to cook for my family and create lasting memories.