| Title of Article + Proper MLA Citation for Works Cited page | Inviting the Mother Tongue: Beyond “Mistakes,” “Bad English,” and “Wrong Language”
Elbow, Peter. “Inviting the Mother Tongue: Beyond “Mistakes,” “Bad English,” and “Wrong Language”. Article. 359-365. Print. |
| Summarize the article — include your reaction, thoughts, anything to help you remember its claims. 100 to 150 words | This is article is about how students feel they have to conform to Standard Written English (SWE) in order to achieve in their writing class even though it is not their mother tongue. I was really into reading this article, because it was honestly reading every thought I had in my head when it came to writing. I do not have “perfect English”, and I remember from African-American people I would receive the comment: “I speak well for a black girl”. I would also receive comments like: “You go to a predominately white school; you have to speak like them.” Comments like this or critiques from your English really tears down your self-confidence as far as your language. It makes you feel like you are stupid if you do not speak “correct” English. |
| Define new terms and concepts by quoting or paraphrasing the original author.
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Acquiesce- “to give in”
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| How does this reading connect to other articles from class and/or your own research?
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This article connects to my own research. I have seen articles of scholarship winners and their essays and compared them to black applicants of the scholarship. The essay of the winner sounds more politically correct, has correct grammar, and sounds more polished. More benefits are given to those who sound “educated” or who follows SWE. |
| Based on the reading, craft one question to act as a springboard for class discussion. | Has your mother tongue taken away benefits and opportunities for you? |
