Essay #2

Essay Assignment #2

Choose one of the following options:

Option 1
In “How to Tame a Wild Tongue, Gloria Anzaldua suggests that our language, our way of speaking, forms our sense of identity. Write an essay connecting Anzaldua’s argument about language with Dumas’s experiences as an immigrant, learning “American ways.” In order to do this, you will first have to briefly summarize Anzaldua’s argument and and briefly summarize Dumas’s position as well. In your essay consider the following questions: In what way does Anzaldua’s statement “I am my language” apply (or not apply) to Dumas’s? Did changing her name affect Dumas’s sense of identity? Did it affect the way that people treated her? Do you think that Dumas would agree or disagree with Anzaldua’s suggestion that language is connected to our identity? Use examples from the text as evidence to support your stance. Be sure to use parenthetical citations when you are paraphrasing or quoting from the text.

Option 2
Considering the idea that “language is power,” write an essay in which you compare your own experiences with language to one of the authors we have read so far. Choose only one: either Tan, Anzaldua, Dumas, Davis, Nelson, or Kennedy. You should begin your piece by introducing and paraphrasing the basic argument that the author makes. Then discuss the ways your own experiences with language compare to the ideas expressed in the article you are discussing. In other words, your experiences and ideas should be interwoven with ideas from the author’s text. Be sure to use parenthetical citations when you are paraphrasing or quoting from the text.

Your paper will be GRADED on the above mentioned criteria, as well as the following:

- does it adhere to the assignment?
- does your paper have an original title?
- does it follow the examples from the “How to Write About Texts” hand-out, including
how to cite texts properly?
- are the paragraphs cohesive and organized?
- are spelling and grammatical mistakes interfering with the reader’s understanding?
- is it handed in on time?

Late papers drop a letter grade each day they are late.