Reverse Outline Activity For Graded Note

Activity Reverse Outline Gradednote This Activity Will Be Graded B

Analyze the effectiveness of your thesis statement, topic sentences, evidence, and analysis in your critical analysis essay draft. Write your thesis statement at the top of the page. Review each paragraph to extract main ideas, ensuring your thesis appears at the end of the introduction and clearly expresses one central idea. Evaluate your body paragraphs for clear topic sentences related to the thesis. Examine your evidence—primary and relevant—and determine if it supports your main argument. Critically assess whether each piece of evidence is supported by in-depth analysis that explains how it substantively helps prove your thesis. Make necessary revisions directly on your draft, focusing on strengthening the clarity, coherence, and support of your arguments based on the TEA formula (Thesis, Evidence, Analysis). Break your essay into three sections—introduction, body, and conclusion—and revise each based on the TEA analysis to produce a coherent and persuasive critical analysis essay draft.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Amy Tan’s essay “Mother Tongue” powerfully highlights the importance of embracing linguistic diversity and challenges societal perceptions of language proficiency, particularly concerning non-native or limited English speakers. As an acclaimed author, Tan reflects on her personal experiences growing up with a mother who spoke “broken,” limited English and how this shaped her identity, perceptions, and her understanding of language’s value. This essay not only advocates for acceptance of all forms of language but also critically examines how language influences social perceptions and personal self-esteem.

Tan begins her essay by emphasizing that language is a reflection of one’s identity and cultural background. She asserts that her mother’s English, which many would dismiss as “broken” or “fractured,” was in fact a rich and vivid language filled with imagery, passion, and rhythm. Tan challenges the societal tendency to equate linguistic proficiency with intelligence or worth. She recounts her own shame and embarrassment when she perceived her mother’s English as inferior, which distorted her perception of her mother’s thoughts and intelligence. Tan’s personal anecdotes underscore how societal attitudes towards language can diminish the value of individuals’ thoughts and experiences, especially those from minority or immigrant backgrounds.

Throughout her essay, Tan explores the societal prejudices against non-standard English and how they influence everyday interactions. She narrates instances where her mother’s English led to misunderstanding or disrespect, such as her having to call to complain on her mother’s behalf or her own internal bias that her mother’s English reflected her intelligence. However, Tan also highlights her journey toward recognizing the inherent richness of her mother’s language. She describes how her mother’s English conveyed her passion and intent, which could not be fully captured by standard grammatical forms. Tan’s realization emphasizes that language’s true value lies in its ability to express meaning, emotion, and cultural identity.

Furthermore, Tan’s personal narrative serves as a critique of linguistic discrimination and promotes broader societal acceptance. She advocates that every language form holds unique qualities, such as imagery, rhythm, and passion, which are vital aspects of communication and identity. Her essay calls for respecting and embracing linguistic diversity rather than condemning it. Tan’s reflection ultimately underscores the importance of recognizing the societal biases that marginalize non-standard English speakers and advocates for greater empathy and understanding—championing linguistic and cultural inclusivity. In doing so, Tan’s essay not only highlights her own experiences but also offers a compelling argument for valuing linguistic diversity in multicultural societies.

References

• Tan, A. (1995). Mother tongue. The Atlantic Monthly.
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• Heller, M. (2011). Linguistic Minorities and Modernity. University of Toronto Press.
• Lippi-Green, R. (2012). English with an accent: Language, ideology, and discrimination in the United States. Routledge.
• Kubota, R. (2011). Ideologies of English in multilingual contexts. Multilingua, 30(2), 155-173.
• Shuy, R. W. (2005). The importance of language diversity in education. International Journal of Multicultural Education.
• Woolard, K. A. (1998). Situating language ideologies: Language politics and ideologies in Argentina. In P. Kroskrity (Ed.), Regimes of language (pp. 137-162). School of American Research Press.
• Kramsch, C. (1998). Language and culture. Oxford University Press.
• Gordon, C. (2004). The importance of dialects in shaping identity. Journal of Sociolinguistics, 8(1), 124–132.