In the world today, there are vast numbers of differing languages, some resemble others and some are completely unconnected. However, they all have one thing in common and that is to communicate meaning from one individual to another or from one individual to a number of others. As a result of the necessity for communication, problems inevitably arise. [TOPIC SENTENCE] Society is now faced with the controversial issue of the 'right' way to speak and whether or not the opposite is to be accepted.
[TOPIC SENTENCE] I ask this question, is there a 'right' way to speak? Amy Tan provides a powerful opinion in her essay entitled "Mother Tongue," "Her language, as I hear it, is vivid, direct, full of observation and imagery. That was the language that helped shape the way I saw things, expressed things, made sense of the world"(805). Here she expresses how fully and accurately her mothers so-called broken Chinese-American English describes her mother's particular perception of things. Some will protest this sort of communication, while others will naturally embrace it. In such occasions, comes an issue of whether or not this sort of speaking should be tolerated? Furthermore, if it is tolerated should it be implemented in our education system?
[TOPIC SENTENCE] Ebonics is another issue which could bring considerable heated debate into the bilingual issue. After all, as John Rickford notes, the Oakland School Board believes that ebonics can be considered a primary language of African Americans(810). If it is considered as a primary language should they then approve Ebonics in a bilingual system? As David S. Troutt explains, "[Ebonics] is the dumbness against which all smartness is measured"(818). Keep in mind Troutt is not expressing his individual opinion of ebonics, but rather he is addressing a social stigma that many Americans latch onto. With this statement one can almost certainly assume that including ebonics in our education system will bring about uproar among "proper" speaking people. Nevertheless, why is this issue important? What pushed it out into our minds? Well, as was spoken earlier, John Rickford provides an example with Ebonics as an accepted primary language. However, what was most important was not the fact that this event had happened, but the public outcry that soon ensued. Rickford notes some e-mails posted on America on-line calling ebonics 'lazy' and 'bastardized'(810). Of course, this depicts some American's utter contempt for diversity. That said, should a bilingual education model be accepted by the American school system?
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Jon - This is generally very good. You have a clear way of communicating your message, and your use of sources is very clear. What I would like to see you work on is closing paragraphs. You tend to end in a flurry of questions, and that tends to take the brunt of force from the earlier clarity. Instead, close paragraphs with concise conclusions and use questions more sparingly.
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