Evaluating the Standard
1. When a person
speaks or writes in Standard English, what exactly does that mean?
It is the formal style of English that
is widely accepted across the world and used by political figures, newspaper
etc.
2. How do you think this particular
variety of English became the standard?
It has been widely used and accepted for hundreds
of years and I believe that it just continued to be used among society.
3. Should a student
use a dialect other than Standard English (or even a different language other
than English altogether) in the classroom? If so, in what particular situations
(speaking, writing, reading, use of technology, etc.) are non-formal English appropriate?
I believe a student should use other
dialect other than Standard English in the classroom. And I believe alternative
dialect should be used in speaking, writing, reading, and use of technology. This
being said I believe there is a time and place for every type of dialect to be
used.
4. What makes someone a good writer?
What kind of things do they do when they write? (this can be things like how
they organize a paper, what words they use, etc.) List a few.
In my opinion a good writer is one
who can manipulate the use of formal writing adding their own flare too their
body of work. A good writer should be able to catch ones attention with
whatever they are writing about. Many good writers set up outlines and rubrics
in order to be organized and concise with their work.
5. You think that
someone is a bad writer. What are some things that this person does that make
them a “bad” writer in your eyes? List a few.
I am not really one to judge on someone being
a “bad” writer. But in my opinion a bad writer doesn’t become involved in their
writing. I feel that the majority of writing is emotion and how much you have
invested in your writing. I also feel that if a writer doesn’t use any sort of organization
or is completely oblivious to using proper grammar.
6. Are there times when a person you
meet doesn’t speak “correct” English? What does that person do that is
“incorrect”? List a few things.
In the article it said that you can improvise with Standard
English but there is a point where it is just completely wrong. One example
that goes unnoticed by many is the “15 item or less” line in a supermarket.
Less is only used to measure things that are uncountable like water or flower,
not individual items in a shopping cart. It really isn’t that noticeable but is
incorrect.
7. What particular
types (or genres) of writing should students be doing in elementary and
secondary school prepare them for
college and the work force?
It is important that
elementary and secondary school students study conventions in order to be
knowledgeable on situations on when to use certain types of grammar in
different types of genres.
8. Does standard
English=correct English?
Not necessarily there are certain situations where Standard English
may be inappropriate. Depending on the situation whether at the dinner table
with your family or chatting online with your friends there is a certain use of
language that suits each situation.
