Language Investigations 2

In elementary school our brains were like sponges. We craved knowledge and our teachers didn't dissapoint. Constant rules and regulations were laid down so that we could develope into better students. One area that was full of rules was language arts (as they used to call it). As young students we really had no idea what was 'right' or 'wrong' when it came to putting our thoughts into words on paper. So of course, teachers had to lay a foundation for us to grow off of. A few rules I can remember are: (of course) not starting a sentence with But. There was also the introduction of the notorious 'topic sentence' and the three paragraohy structure which later developed into the five paragraph structure. There was also the 'summary statement' that went at the very end of the paper. Often our teachers would give us helpful phrases like "in conclusion" or "to sum up" so that we could make it clear that we were ending our paper.

I think there were good reasons and intent behind their strict rules. At such a young age, a child probably wouldnt see what was wrong with ending an idea and starting a new one with "But", because that is how most of our thought processes worked. The rule was there to ensure that no one was cutting off their sentence too early. The topic sentence was essential in establishing a clear idea that was going to be discussed in the writing process. Also, a topic sentence lays the foundation for what we (as college students) use today: the thesis statement. The three paragraph structure is introduced to help students organize their paper in a way that makes sense. At that age it is easy for students to float ideas around without realizing that the ideas are mixed in at the wrong places. The five paragraphy essay was a little more aggitating because in high school some teachers treated the format as if they had sold their soul to it. In high school students begin to develope their own style and opinions on a matter, so being forced to comply with the five paragraph essay could get annoying. However, I think that the five paragraphy essay was there for the students who were lazy and simply didn't want to write that much on the issue at hand. The five paragraph essay held those students accountable to the standards.

Each of these rules was in place in order to help us blossom into intellegent and competant students. But I think (haha I just started a sentence with but!) that it is the teachers in between elementary school and college that need to point out why those rules were once origionally pounded into our brains. The teachers in between need to show and explain and accept that those rules, though proper, are not always palpable when it comes to writing and reading in the later stages. How is any student supposed to develope their own writing style or voice when they feel chained to these few simple rules? As a secondary teacher I will make it one of my top priorities to show the different uses of language. Heck, maybe I'll even become that teacher who lets students put their topic sentence where they think is neccessary.

Language Investigations 1

I am a member of many communities in society. One community in particular that I am a part of is Colorado State University college students. Beings students, we have a language that covers many areas of our lives as community members. Topics in our language are as wide as homework to rent, to night life and boyfriends. Such phrases as ‘have you been able to get on to RAMCT lately?’ are common. Students who use that language are referring to an educational on line portal where grades and information are discovered. RAMCT is unique to Colorado State University’s curriculum. “Are you going over to Mobey for the game tonight?” is another question that a student from CSU would ask. Someone who used that language would be referring to the athletic complex on the campus called Mobey Arena. “Let’s go Wash tonight” is also a phrase that Colorado State students use. The word Wash is short for Washington’s Sport’s Bar, a popular hangout spot for students. They would say ‘Wash’ because our community knows what students are referring to the local bar. Another phrase that a student would say is ‘I have a vaio’ or ‘I use Mac’. In this case, a college student would be referring to the type of computer system that they use. Once again, as students we pretty much already know what those two types of computer systems are so we do not feel the need to say ‘I use a Macintosh computer.’ ‘Facebook’ is a well known on line portal that virtually every college student uses. Though adults and other people who do not use the networking system may know what it is, they may not be exactly familiar with the other terms and usage of the site. As a college student, it can pretty much be guaranteed that you have a good understanding of the word and all that comes with it. ‘A blue book’ is a term that Colorado State students use to describe a certain school supply. It is a book that many students use in their classes. If I asked my dad to go to the book store and grab me a ‘blue book’ I am quite certain that he would not know what I was talking about without an explanation. ‘Corbet’ is the name of one of the dorms that is very well known on campus. If I was speaking to someone at another University and told them “I love Corbet” they could think I was talking about a boy or something else. Colorado State Students probably defiantly know what ‘Corbet’ would be referring to. ‘Cam the Ram’ is the unique mascot for Colorado State University. Students at CSU are most likely aware of who ‘Cam’ is, but a parent or sibling may not know who the loveable mascot is.

Memory Vignett

“Change is possible, I believe. Language used consciously a matter of rhetoric, is a principle means-perhaps the means-by which change can begin to take place. The rhetorical includes writing, a means of learning, or discovery; it includes literature, the discoveries of other.”- Victoria Villanueva
This statement evokes a memory from my senior year of high school. I had waited four years to take Sociology, which was strictly only available to the oldest of the student body. It was a mystery to all of us, as under classmen, why this class was constantly on the lips of all of the older students and even teachers. Magical phrases, such as “show me the money” and “casa bonita” flowed through the mouths of students throughout the day always followed by laughs and smiles. The teacher, Mr. Clark walked through the hallways handing out high fives and extra-credit handshakes like a veteran celebrity.
It turns out that this class was absolutely life changing. I would be hard pressed to find a student who has had the chance to take the class with Mr. Clark that disagrees with me. It was because Mr. Clark’s class was different from any other class that we had ever been in, or would ever be in again. The class was called sociology, but it was unique unto its self. After each student found out their personality (I was dramatic, devoted, and self confident) they were put on teams that were picked at random. Instead of desks, there were benches that outlined the edges of class room to allow for as much space as possible. The center of the room was designated for all of the games that we would play throughout the semester. Instead of raising our hands, teams competed against each other doing loud, crazy, and hilarious dances like “boogie woogie bronco”. Whichever team danced the fastest-or loudest- got to play the game for points which had direct correlation to your grade in the class.
It may sound like a silly class, but we learned so much about ourselves, and our peers. To this day, students, including myself, who have taken that class still refer to “idios” or “devos” and “show me the money”. Mr. Clark accelerated that class to the next level simply by the words and rhetoric that was the soul of the class. It gave students to think about life-school- from a completely different angle. The language of the class was conscious and therefore the means by which each student was changed by that class. We were able to “discover the other” by simply changing our language for those divine 50 minutes.

First Time Blogger

Hello!

This is my first experience with blogging- gotta try everything once I suppose. I am using this blog for my advanced writing class at CSU.

-Allison