Entry 4

Andrew Krell

English 1100

9-13-15

Prof. Young

Entry 4

I believe that a student should be allowed to write in their own style depending on the circumstances.  The language used in writing must be appropriate to the setting and should be grammatically correct.  For instance, a scientific research paper should use language that is more proper, formal and suited to the subject matter.  However, assignments that ask the student to be vocal, such as asking an opinion or a personal anecdote, should allow the student to use their own speech/language pattern.  The student can be more expressive in their writing and it will feel more authentic.  The language itself is a statement of who they are and where they come from.

Language used should also be appropriate for the intended audience.  If your audience were fellow students, then the use of slang, and profanity would be acceptable, and not offensive.  Yet, younger people are more open-minded to the language and the message is reflective of culture and society.  In “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” when Gloria Anzaldua wrote in Spanglish, she did not assume the readers spoke Spanish, so when necessary, she offered a translation.  The use of her own language, made her story more personal, historical and cultural.  

Students should be allowed to write in their own styles as long as they are considerate of their audience and basic rules of grammar.