The use of the narrative structure is very effective in framing Chinese objections to the civil rights movement. According to Chin, most Chinese saw the civil rights movement as a threat. In the last 12 paragraphs of the essay, Chin explains the Chinese perspective from his point of view. For example, the Chinese objected to school integration because they did not want blacks to influence their children. The Chinese did not want to be identified as a minority. They sought acceptance through total assimilation into the white culture. Chin writes that his people had worked very hard at being acculturated: "We didn't know anything about China anymore" (119).

Chin describes the Chinese attitude of superiority toward blacks. The Chinese believed that, because

Terkel, Studs. "Frank Chin." Race: How Blacks and Whites Think and Feel about the American Obsession. New York: New Press, 1992. Rept. in Creating America: Reading and Writing Arguments. Ed. Joyce Hoser and Ann Watters.

"Chicana" is another example of the power of the informal essay. The direct, informal style and structure Serrano employs create a powerful presentation. Similar to "Chin," this work is a first-person essay written with a strong personal perspective.

Unlike "Chin," which uses the narrative essay form with many descriptive sections, the structure of Serrano's essay uses an expository framework combined with personal narrative. The substantial historical research Serrano cites establishes the central theme of the essay.

This essay achieves great impact by using first person and describing events as part of a story. The essay is one Chinese man's response to a unique set of circumstances in his life. Chin reconciled those circumstances and developed a sense of his authentic self. Chin's growth process unfolds through the narrative structure of the work.

West, Cornel. "Diverse New World." Left, Right and Center. N.p.: N.p., n.d. 46-50.

Serrano has not selected Chicana frivolously, but based on her study and belief about her cultural heritage. She explains why this concept is logical and accurate. Serrano is retrieving a part of her heritage ignored by most American historians. Proud of her indigenous past, Serrano embraces the negative and positive meaning of Chicana. She finds no fault with her true history, even when part of it is unflattering. She identifies the strength and struggle of her people.

The same power of t