What Really Happened by Madge McKeithen (2011)

What Really Happened is an odd, unique twist on a story.  Instead of the common narrative format Madge McKeithen chooses to direct her speech at the reader, acting as if they are the ones committing all of the acts throughout her essay.  At first this method seems confusing, which shows that it is for an older, educated audience, but as the story continues it starts to make more sense.  This less published author shows that with a creative, well-executed idea, it does not matter the experience.  Her unique form of writing leaves many questions though throughout the essay; some of which are never answered.  Her reason for writing this essay is to show the fact that some things are impossible to get over, and that they can even be impossible to get closure for.  This is shown through the traumatic story of someone whose close friend from childhood was murdered, and the main characters quest for answers from the murderer.  The essay is a list of the things that need to be done to see the murderer, not only the necessities, but also the simple tasks that go along with them.  It is as if the reader has a lens in which to see the thoughts, and the inner workings, of the victim’s friend.  The author’s odd way of writing the story allows the reader to see something different than if it was just a narrative.  The fact that McKeithen directs all of the information as if it is the reader’s thoughts allows them to feel closer and to feel more of an emotional tie.  This helps tremendously in getting her point across because instead of the feeling that the reader is on the outside simply looking in, they instead feel as if they are directly connected to the main character and that makes the emotional feel twice as strong.

Jail Visitors' Cell Phones
http://prisoncellphones.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/jail-visitors-cell-phones.jpg