Pennsylvania State University Language and Identity Essay

For this essay you will analyze James Baldwin’s “If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me What is” and Gloria Anzaldua’s “How to Tame a Wild Tongue.”James Baldwin makes the proclamation that of course Black English is a language for it was born out of necessity to shape Black people’s identity, culture and political landscape. At the same time, Anzaldua asserts that she is her language.

• Create an engaging title (title should be centered)
• Include page numbers
• Have a introduction
• Have a conclusion
• Have paragraphs that follow the SEER method:
  • State main point (topic sentence)
  • Examples (anchor words) from topic sentence
  • Explain/Elaborate (use a quote that relates to the topic/anchor word)
  • Restate point of paragraph.

Outline for Paper:

Introduction (Answer the main point): Be certain to state your main point.

Background paragraph

• Explain/define any key concept that your reader will need to understand
• Explain who either author is to help your reader better understand your emerging point.

Paragraphs 3-x: Begin developing your point using the SEER format

• State main point (topic sentence)
• Examples (anchor words) from topic sentence
• Explain/Elaborate (use a quote that relates to the topic/anchor word)
• Restate point of paragraph.

Conclusion:

• What point do you want me to walk away knowing/remembering?
• Make an impact.