Exercise 1

Lynda Barry's writing in her passage "Cruddy" is plain, down to earth and straightforward. The passage starts off, "Once Upon a cruddy time on a cruddy street on the side of a cruddy hill..." and as shown, it is hugely emphasized that her life is "cruddy" through her silly and unbelievable repetition of the word.  Barry's character, Roberta, develops a unique and expressive attitude toward her overbearing sister who "will NOT shut up SHE WILL NOT SHUT UP...". Her frustrated and childish attitude brings life and an energetic atmosphere into the passage and leaves readers wanting more.