In reading The Ring by Danielle Malico, I felt a connection to her as a strong woman doing something she is passionate about. Her thesis statement is well stated when she says “I, on the other hand, have first-hand knowledge of what it is like to be in the ring” (Malico, p135). Her story draws you in by describing the excitement of the crowd and the things she hears and smells before the bell rings and it’s time to focus on her competitor. Her description of how she sizes up her opponent helps to visualize the first few minutes of the fight. Although realizing her opponent is confident makes her hesitant in her own abilities but she doesn’t lose focus and continues until the bell rings ending the first round. Even though I would have liked