"Critiquing and Changing Genres" and "Getting Personal"

All decisions writers make are creative decisions. Writers must be creative because, although there is room for interpretation within each genre, there are also conventions that create limits. We, as the audience, use these conventions to discuss and critique a piece of work. In order to analyze a genre, one must look below the surface of the writing to discover meaning, which can help the reader better understand the work. Another part of analyzing a genre is critique, which asks the reader to question and evaluate the assumptions of the work, discovering its strengths and weaknesses. Critiquing genres allows us to compare its purpose and the objectives and assumptions of the scene it functions within. “Genres change as the people who use them and the scenes in which they are used change.” As we make new discoveries and new advances, new genres are made to accommodate them. New genres most often develop as the result of revisions of previous ones. Changes in genre can lead to changes in the ways that people interact and communicate.

Language

I think that at home we mainly speak a mixture of informal English and Standard English, and in high school I learned some Spanish. I feel most attached to informal English because it is easiest for me to speak, but I'm not sure where this language comes from. I speak a little differently when I'm with im friends opposed to when I'm with my family. When I'm with my friends my language is less formal and we use words that can be considered slang. When I'm at school I speak Standard English, but sometimes it is difficult to think of proper words. I think informal English is recognized at school because when we are talking face to face, we don't necessarily use the same words as when we are writing, which is usually done in Standard English.

"From Outside, In"

Mellix's title can be explained as a description of her journey throughout her life "from outside, in." As a child and young adult, speaking "proper" English was always difficult for her and made her feel as if she were speaking another people's language, as if she was an outsider. However, as she grew older and became more educated, her use of "proper" English became more natural and she was proud to speak and compose properly.

Mellix used Black English when she was at home with her family and with other people that spoke Black English. She used Standard English when she was in public, in school, or when she was around anyone who seemed superior to herself. Growing up she was uncomfortable with this "doubleness" and felt as if it were a "built-in enemy." It made her want to prosper, but at the same time, held her back.

As a young woman, Mellix felt that it was proper to speak Standard English to whites so that she didn't sound inferior. Mellix spoke Standard English to Standard-English-Speaking Blacks because she was ashamed to sound improper and wanted to fit in. The pain of having to use Standard English was that Mellix had to think before she spoke and it took her a long time to form sentences. It also forced her to speak softly and shyly.

Mellix's father told stories about times when he went to the "outside world" and after speaking Standard English, was treated better. Mellix's mother would randomly correct them for speaking Black English, which would embarrass them causing them to be mocked by their siblings.

After taking her college composition course, Mellix felt more comfortable, even proud, to use Standard English. At first, Mellix thought that her writing was more powerful because she believed she was explaining the thoughts and beliefs of others. However, she soon realized that she was transformed to be able to use her best classroom language to convey her own thoughts and ideas using Standard English.

Personal Narrative

My sister, Nicole, is twenty years old. Although she is older than me, she is still shorter. She has dark brown hair, almost black, that is medium length. She has brown eyes and tan skin, basically the complete opposite of me. She has always been a very outgoing person, always looking for a good time. She is very intelligent when it comes to school work, but in everyday life she is always being funny and goofing around. She always works hard whether it's at work, school, sports, or just any little task. She has always been indpendent, and in a family of seven a quality like that stands out. Although she is extremely goofy, she is also very good at defending herself in an argument and explaining her opinion. She is definitely not afraid to say what is on her mind.
My sister and I have a very close relationship. I know that I can tell her anything and she will always have advice when I'm in a difficult situation. Because we go to the same college, we spend a lot of time together, especially driving to and from our home. These car rides are an experience that I will always remember. The sight of the open highway, the green cornfields, and the other cars on the road. Listening to our favorite songs on the radio and talking about anything that comes to mind. There's always a trip to the gas station for a slurpee, or to Dairy Queen for some ice cream. These car rides always evoke feelings of security and comfort. They also make me feel relaxed, yet excited. I know that whenever I think of these car rides with my sister, I will remember the happy feeling that I always got from them and it will always make me smile.

"Why and When We Speak Spanish in Public"

This piece of writing is especially powerful because the author uses everyday situations that are very relatable. She uses situations that the reader has most likely experienced at least once in their life. This writing is also very powerful because she speaks informally. It's almost as if you are having a conversation with the author. This type of genre is valuable because it's very informative and can be used to change reader's opinions and help them to be open minded. Marquez explains that she and her parents "haven't adopted English as our official family language" because "it's a matter of respect for our parents and comfort in our cultural roots." If I was standing next to the three of them and they were speaking in Spanish I would not consider their behavior rude because it's what they are comfortable with and what they know best. If the situation were flipped around, I would make the same decision to speak the language I am most comfortable with. Marquez would use English in situations when she is with anyone who does not understand Spanish. If I was bilingual, I would behave the same in similar situations because I know that I would not want to be the person who doesn't understand the conversation.