Ryan Lee

Developed by Greek philosopher Aristotle Employs ethos, pathos, and logos appeals In conjunction with stasis theory, a process of prewriting What are the facts? What is the meaning of the issue? What is the severity or seriousness of the issue? What is the plan of action? Aristotelian Classical Approach

Introduction Narration Confirmation Concession Refutation Summation The Six Elements

Composed of: Hook Bridge Divided Stasis Purpose: Catch the audience’s attention Establishes perception of the writer Sets out the author’s point of view Sets guidelines on what is to be discussed and how Introduction

While many people are confused as to what Ebonics is exactly, James Arthur Baldwin, an American novelist, says that “It goes without saying, then, that language is also a political instrument, means, and proof of power” (4). Catches the audience’s attention Introduces the quote MUST begin with “While…” Introduction: Hook

Stolberg’s message is that a definite connection exists between massacres and gun control debates, so Americans must keep a level head about the gun control issue, examining the facts of the argument, rather than simply letting their emotions get the better of them. Transitions between the Hook and the Divided Stasis Explains what the quote is saying MUST begin with “[Author]’s message is…” Introduction: Bridge

Although opponents will claim that Ebonics is simply a bastardization of English and not an official language, Ebonics is a language of its own, as it has different properties than slang, it has its own set of rules and regulations, and it has a specific demographic. Composed of the Opponent’s Claim, Rhetor’s Main Claim, and three Reasons or Supports for the Rhetor’s Main Claim MUST begin with “Although…” MUST be written in parallel structure Introduction: Divided Stasis

Given the current situation of politicians shamelessly manipulating public feeling in order to accomplish political agendas, enforcing universal background checks actually causes increased gun violence, clearly stands against the United States Constitution, and definitively constitutes a non-issue. Repetition of a phrase, tense, or part of speech MUST be used for the three reasons or supports for the rhetor’s main claim Introduction: Parallel Structure

Establishes context for the rest of the paper Explains the situation, as well as providing background information, history, and statistics Situates the argument in its historical, economical, socio-political context Uses language choice to allow the author’s voice to be heard, as well as giving the audience a perception of who the writer is Narration

In December 1996, the Oakland Ebonics controversy sparked a debate that raised new questions as to the nature of language, and what qualifies as language. In a society where interaction relies most heavily upon verbal and written communication, it’s blatantly obvious that language use will play a large part in how one is perceived and judged by others. On one side of the debate, supporters claim that Ebonics is a legitimate language on its own, while opponents claim that Ebonics is simply a bastardization of English. Some people believe that “White Americans would not sound the way they sound if there had been no blacks” (Baldwin 5). This issue has relevance, because if Ebonics is considered a legitimate language, then speakers could gain benefits as multi-lingual students. In addition, official programs to teach English from an Ebonics standpoint could be funded. However, critics of Ebonics being recognized as an official language claim that this slang will only encourage laziness in students. What critics don’t seem to understand, however, is that Ebonics would be used as a teaching device to lead to proper Standardized English, not taught on its own. Narration: Example

Re-establishes the writer’s position on the topic at hand Restates the central proposition as well as adding additional context Reminds the reader of what is being argued, and why it is important Confirmation

The Oakland School Board Resolution radically changed the learning opportunities for certain students, from being dictated that what they had previously known was distinctly wrong and despicable, to being encouraged to learn what was considered proper utilizing what they had already known. John R. Rickford, a representative at the annual Linguistic Society of America meeting, describes “Ebonics as systematic and rule-governed like all natural speech varieties” (1). Ebonics is just like any other language, not to be seen as a fractured or lazy version of the English language. It is necessary to use Ebonics to facilitate the learning of Standardized English for those who are already comfortable with the Ebonics language, else face the inescapable result of alienating people. As David Dante Troutt, an associate professor of law at Rutgers University explained, “we must deal frankly with the exclusion itself” (5). Confirmation: Example

Analyzes the opponent’s position, summarizing it for the reader Presents their own opinion on the topic to be regarded as well informed Allows the author to manipulate how the opponent’s position is viewed Points out faulty reasoning, as well as inappropriate appeals (logos, pathos, and ethos) Concession

It is, indeed, true that opponents will claim that Ebonics is simply a bastardization of English and not an official language. (1) They claim that Ebonics is “lazy English, bastardized English, poor grammar, and fractured slang” (Rickford 1). Opponents believe that Ebonics did not develop a unique structure, but rather simply borrowed from English, then moved on to be as lazy as possible, omitting actual rules and regulations. (2) “Others say it should not be considered an English dialect” (Berman 4). (3) Clyde Haberman, a New York Times journalist, satirizes this debate, by saying, “Here’s an idea sure to go nowhere fast: recognize that vast numbers of New Yorkers speak a distinct language that may be called ivonics. It is not named after the former Mrs. Trump. The word combines ivory and phonics, and applies to speech patterns of European origin that virtually define what many Americans think of as a New York accent. … No? Then how about ochonics, for ocher and phonics. It refers to the English spoken by many Asian-American immigrants, whose language structure in their countries of origin has them substituting R's for L's and stumbling over the V sound” (1). Opponents note how if one identifies Ebonics as a language of its own, then there are dozens of other “dialects” that must also be identified and recognized. Concession: Example

Develops the writer’s own position Uses ethos, pathos, and logos appeals Convinces the audience that the author’s position is correct Persuades the readers of the validity of the argument using good evidence and examples Employs the Toulmin method Refutation

Developed by British philosopher Stephen Toulmin Predominantly used to discuss controversial issues where there is not necessarily an absolute truth Composed of claims, data, warrants, backing, rebuttal, and qualifiers Refutation: Toulmin Method

(Refutation: Rhetor’s Main Claim + Support 1) But, Ebonics is a language of its own, because it is different than slang. (Toumlin Warrant) A unique language cannot share the same properties as slang, or a shortened language. (1) John R. Rickford, a linguist, makes the claim that Ebonic’s “linguistic identity is described by patterns of pronunciation and grammar” (2). By this, he means that although Ebonics does contain certain slang words, the language as a whole has a definite pattern to it, rather than random shortenings of words. (2) Charisse Jones, a writer for the New York Times, gives an example of an opponent to Ebonics due to its impression as slang, “’He believes that it is misleading to tell children that it's all right to speak in slang,’ said Ms. Colletti. ‘And that it's really taking our eyes off the ball to start to make this a focus of professional development for teachers or to lead children to believe it is a language of success.’” (12). The reason that Ebonics opponents believe that it should not be taught is because they fear that teaching Ebonics will encourage the mindset that speaking slang is okay. However, one, Ebonics will only be used as a teaching utility, not as a lesson, and two, Ebonics is not in fact slang. (3) Jones also notes how “supporters of the fledgling ebonics movement contend that the language spoken by many urban blacks is not merely a slang version of English but a distinct language with roots in West African languages” (16). Since Ebonics has roots in other languages, it is not in fact English slang. (Conclusion) From the above information, we can conclude that Ebonics has different properties than slang. Refutation: Example

Sells the author’s solution as the correct and right way to examine and act upon the situation Restates why the solution is best as opposed to other alternatives Points out the stakeholders Addresses the consequences of ignoring the writer’s solution Summation

The decision made by the 1996 Oakland School Board Resolution of using Ebonics to facilitate African American students in their learning of Standard English has led to many positive results. Students taught by this method show drastic increase in the use of Standard English as opposed to Ebonics, from 8.5% to 59% (Rickford 7). Is it better to continue to berate children on their use of language, or to come alongside them, encouraging them to learn by utilizing familiar examples and experiences? It is clear to see that Ebonics is a language of its own, and that it can be readily used to assist the learning of Standard English as well as helping retain a sense of cultural background and history. This assistance and help can only result in a more informed, educated population, which will reciprocate and lead to more student success. To focus on the bettering of students is to prepare future decision makers for a developing world, and to invest in a more positive world for everyone. Summation: Example