Suggestions for Writing

Language

Now that you have examined a number of readings and other texts that focus on language, explore one dimension of this issue by synthesizing your own ideas and the texts. You might want to do more research or use readings from other classes as you prepare for the following projects.

  1. The following assertion by Greg Lewis, a pioneer of computer-based technology and author of several books of political analysis, appeared in the Washington Dispatch in 2003:

    To succeed in America—with a number of relatively minor although often highly visible exceptions—it’s important to speak, read, and understand English as most Americans speak it. There’s nothing cruel or unfair in that; it’s just the way it is. And when liberals try to downplay that fact in the name of diversity or multiculturalism . . . they’re cynically appealing to a kind of cultural vanity that almost every one of us possesses. . . . In this case, however, the appeal to cultural vanity is destructive.

    Is bilingual education or class instruction and discussion in African American vernacular English (or Ebonics, as it is often called) a viable alternative to conducting classes in standard American English? Write an essay explaining your position.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 10 - Suggestions for Writing: The following assertion by Greg Lewis, a pioneer of computer-based technology and author of several books of political analysis, appeared in the Washington Dispatch in 2003: To succeed in America—with a number of relatively minor although often highly visible exceptions—it’s important to speak, read, and understand English as most Americans speak it. There’s nothing cruel or unfair in that; it’s just the way it is. And when liberals try to downplay that fact in the name of diversity or multiculturalism . . . they’re cynically appealing to a kind of cultural vanity that almost every one of us possesses. . . . In this case, however, the appeal to cultural vanity is destructive. Is bilingual education or class instruction and discussion in African American vernacular English (or Ebonics, as it is often called) a viable alternative to conducting classes in standard American English? Write an essay explaining your position.
  2. Should language be legislated? Congress has debated whether English should be declared the national language of the United States. What would be the implication of such a law? Do you believe that it is in the interest of national unity to pass a law making English the national language? Write an essay explaining your view.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 10 - Suggestions for Writing: Should language be legislated? Congress has debated whether English should be declared the national language of the United States. What would be the implication of such a law? Do you believe that it is in the interest of national unity to pass a law making English the national language? Write an essay explaining your view.
  3. Trace the history and derivation of terms used to describe one ethnic group. What do members of the ethnic group themselves prefer to be called? For instance, discuss the differences among the terms Hispanic, Latino/Latina, and Chicano/Chicana, both to the general public and to the people who identify themselves by these terms. Another option is to discuss the meanings of the terms colored, Negro, black, Afro-American, African American, and person of color—again to the general public and to members of the group itself. Your essay should examine why certain terms win favor over others, as well as the politics and values associated with those terms.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 10 - Suggestions for Writing: Trace the history and derivation of terms used to describe one ethnic group. What do members of the ethnic group themselves prefer to be called? For instance, discuss the differences among the terms Hispanic, Latino/Latina, and Chicano/Chicana, both to the general public and to the people who identify themselves by these terms. Another option is to discuss the meanings of the terms colored, Negro, black, Afro-American, African American, and person of color—again to the general public and to members of the group itself. Your essay should examine why certain terms win favor over others, as well as the politics and values associated with those terms.
  4. Write an essay in which you agree or disagree with the following assertion:

    In classrooms and hallways and on the playground, young people are using inappropriate language more frequently than ever, teachers and principals say. Not only is it coarsening the school climate and social discourse, they say, it is evidence of a decline in language skills. Popular culture has made ugly language acceptable and hip, and many teachers say they only expect things to get uglier.

    —Valerie Strauss, “More and More, Kids Say the Foulest Things”

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 10 - Suggestions for Writing: Write an essay in which you agree or disagree with the following assertion: In classrooms and hallways and on the playground, young people are using inappropriate language more frequently than ever, teachers and principals say. Not only is it coarsening the school climate and social discourse, they say, it is evidence of a decline in language skills. Popular culture has made ugly language acceptable and hip, and many teachers say they only expect things to get uglier. —Valerie Strauss, “More and More, Kids Say the Foulest Things”
  5. Choose one of the following quotations, and explain why it speaks to you. Use examples from your own experience and reading to illustrate what the quotation means to you.

    Who does not know another language, does not know his own.

    —Johan Wolfgang von Goethe

    Languages are the pedigree of nations.

    —Samuel Johnson

    Language is a city to the building of which every human being brought a stone.

    —Ralph Waldo Emerson

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 10 - Suggestions for Writing: Choose one of the following quotations, and explain why it speaks to you. Use examples from your own experience and reading to illustrate what the quotation means to you. Who does not know another language, does not know his own. —Johan Wolfgang von Goethe Languages are the pedigree of nations. —Samuel Johnson Language is a city to the building of which every human being brought a stone. —Ralph Waldo Emerson
  6. Some believe that the Internet is improving writing skills because everyone, especially younger people, spends so much time e-mailing, instant messaging, blogging, and chatting in forums. The very fact that young people are writing so frequently is bound to increase comfort level and may lead to the development of a creative style, they claim. Others argue that such activity only degrades writing skills because the language used is so informal, often a series of abbreviations, and the communication is usually a rapid-fire response rather than a sustained discussion. Write an essay explaining whether you think that writing online (in whatever form that might take) has a positive or negative impact on a person’s writing. Feel free to use your own experience in your discussion.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 10 - Suggestions for Writing: Some believe that the Internet is improving writing skills because everyone, especially younger people, spends so much time e-mailing, instant messaging, blogging, and chatting in forums. The very fact that young people are writing so frequently is bound to increase comfort level and may lead to the development of a creative style, they claim. Others argue that such activity only degrades writing skills because the language used is so informal, often a series of abbreviations, and the communication is usually a rapid-fire response rather than a sustained discussion. Write an essay explaining whether you think that writing online (in whatever form that might take) has a positive or negative impact on a person’s writing. Feel free to use your own experience in your discussion.
  7. Most professions—plumbers, lawyers, teachers, accountants, physicians—have their jargon, a language that practitioners use among themselves. In many ways, that language defines the user as a member of the community and sets him or her apart from others who do not “belong.” Choose one profession or group (such as those who read graphic novels or listen to a particular type of music), describe key elements of that group’s language, and analyze how the language defines the group as a community.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 10 - Suggestions for Writing: Most professions—plumbers, lawyers, teachers, accountants, physicians—have their jargon, a language that practitioners use among themselves. In many ways, that language defines the user as a member of the community and sets him or her apart from others who do not “belong.” Choose one profession or group (such as those who read graphic novels or listen to a particular type of music), describe key elements of that group’s language, and analyze how the language defines the group as a community.
  8. Advertisers are keenly aware of the importance of a product’s name. Choose one specific type of product (for example, men’s or women’s cologne, cars, shampoos, lines of clothing, laundry detergents, medical remedies), and classify the names according to the connotations or images they suggest.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 10 - Suggestions for Writing: Advertisers are keenly aware of the importance of a product’s name. Choose one specific type of product (for example, men’s or women’s cologne, cars, shampoos, lines of clothing, laundry detergents, medical remedies), and classify the names according to the connotations or images they suggest.
  9. The idea of “voice” and “voicelessness” is a dominant theme in many novels written by immigrants to the United States. Choose one, and analyze the role of language use and acquisition in the formation of identity and the development of power relationships. Possibilities include Monkey Bridge by Lan Cao, Native Speaker by Chang-Rae Lee, The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez, and many others.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 10 - Suggestions for Writing: The idea of “voice” and “voicelessness” is a dominant theme in many novels written by immigrants to the United States. Choose one, and analyze the role of language use and acquisition in the formation of identity and the development of power relationships. Possibilities include Monkey Bridge by Lan Cao, Native Speaker by Chang-Rae Lee, The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez, and many others.