Language+Mini-Essays

Instead of a full essay, you will be writing four shorter responses about various aspects of Language as a way of knowing. Each piece of writing will be due on the dates noted below. You should upload response by the due date to Managebac. You should upload your response early to check for originality issues and to make any corrections if you feel this would be valuable for you. I will offer feedback on early uploads //if requested// to (please not the day before it is due) assuming there is time to do so. The early bird catches the worm (An idiom in English that means that if you start something early you stand a better chance at success)!

Your essays should be sourced and cited appropriately.

Attach the correct prompt and rubric to each of your Mini-essays
 * All responses should be between approximately 400-500 words in length.**
 * **Question** || **What are the main strengths and weaknesses of language as a way** **of knowing? ** || **What do words mean and can they be translated?** || **Using a newspaper article of your choice, explain how language is used in the article to manipulate the reader’s understanding of the story.** || **How closely is thought linked to language?** ||
 * **Due** || see managebac ||  ||   ||   ||
 * **A Response** || Discusses problems of defining language. Clearly explains the key strengths and weaknesses of language. Shows evidence of further research. Addresses implications of claims on areas of knowledge or communication in general. || Clearly understands the problems of meaning and uses examples of words, phrases and grammatical structures that are difficult to translate. || Has selected a challenging article and analyzed the writer’s techniques in detail. Has used terminology effectively and quoted from the text effectively to support arguments. || Critically evaluates Sapir-Whorf claims and Deutscher article by using further research. Intelligent reflection on personal use of language(s). ||
 * **B Response** || Discusses definition of language. Clearly explains the key strengths and weaknesses of language. Suggests some implications of these strengths and weaknesses on our ability to communicate. || Clearly understands the problems of meaning and uses good examples of words from different languages that are difficult to translate. || Clearly understands the techniques used by the writer in the article and has made some good observations about the effect of such techniques. || Understands Sapir-Whorf, has used Deutscher article and added some personal reflection. ||
 * **C Response** || Defines language and covers some important strengths and weaknesses of language as a way of knowing. || Generally understands the topic and attempts to use some examples from own language to illustrate difficulties in translation. || Understands the bias of the article and has pointed out a few techniques used by the writer. || Covers the basic claims of Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. ||
 * **D Response** || Defines language and points out some basic strengths and weaknesses. || Understands what was covered in class and uses examples from class. || Has selected an article and pointed out some basic observations. || Some claims but very little evidence to back up claims. ||
 * **E Response** || Assignment is missing or does not meet any of the above criteria. || Assignment is missing or does not meet any of the above criteria. || Assignment is missing or does not meet any of the above criteria. || Assignment is missing or does not meet any of the above criteria. ||