Petrunkevitch's "The Spider and the Wasp" is an excellent piece of writing. It is quite interesting to read, and not just for a scientifically-minded person. The author takes facts that would otherwise be dull, and makes them into a story that would intrigue any reader. To begin the essay, the author uses a great hook regarding the tarantulas pitted against their "arch-enemy," the digger wasp Pepsis. This topic, intelligence pitted against instinct, is referred to throughout the essay and interesting observations are made on it.
Process writing is a series of sequential actions and each one is a development of the next. These steps all lead towards a result, be it a product, effect, or decision. In "The Spider and the Wasp" the actions all lead towards the preservation of the species of the wasp. The beginning of the essay the reader is unsure which insect will survive and which will die, but this becomes clear when it is stated that "they [the senses] fail the spider completely when it meets its deadly enemy." In the style of process writing, each point is made and explained when necessary. The author begins by introducing the two characters, the tarantula and the wasp. He goes on to explain the tactile senses of the spider and how they fail when it comes to the wasp. It is then revealed, step by step, how exactly the spider is hunted and ultimately killed by the wasp, which is the final product to feed the wasp larvae.
It's kind of cool that he makes us care about the outcome. This is well done, Audrey. You've used the text well to support your claims. Careful study of the method of development.
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