8/8/2019 Eng120 P2 Summer10

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eng120-p2-summer10 1/2

P2: JUST WHAT IS “NORMAL” ANYWAY?

{Dive into the words you use daily; what do they really, really mean?}

Assignment Description:> We use hard-to-define words daily.

 You’re going to argue YOUR DEFINTION of a hard-to-define word.

> Examples:“Oh, she’s such a ‘good person’.”“Your reaction is so ‘normal’.”“That town is a total ‘hick town’.”“She is such a ‘hippie’ sometimes!”“My mom’s ‘religious’, but I am ‘spiritual’.”“Check her out! What a ‘slut’!”

 

Think of a word that is used often byyourself and/or others, that doesn’t have

ONE PERFECT definition, and

argue what the TRUE definition isACCORDING TO YOU.

Don’t just claim that the word means different things to differentpeople; that’s obvious.

Write an essay, as outlined below, arguing to yourclassmates what the true definition is of the word youchose:

Introduction: Introduce your topic and build your reader’s interest.

Begin with a brief story or example that illustrates how hard theword is to define. State your thesis towards the beginning of the essay and highlight it or put it in a colored font.

Second batch of paragraph(s): Lay out the history of the word.What does it mean in a few different dictionaries? What did itmean at one time? Basically, what has this word been through inthe past (think of the changes the word “cool”has gone through!!)?

 Third batch of paragraph(s): Dive into at least three (3) detailedexamples that back up the true defintion of the word (usingstories, examples, synonyms, etc).

Fourth batch of paragraph(s): Now explain how this affects daily

life, daily conversations. How can the reader use what you haveargued?

Conclusion:  To conclude, wrap up where the word has been, howit’s changed, and what it means for the audience.

Possible Thesis Statements:---“Retarded” no longer refers to those who are mentally-handicapped; it’s a word that means a person hassunk below the I.Q. level of a mentally-handicapped person through the abuse of alcohol – probably shotsof crappy liquor, in fact.

The Checklist:

 Argue your definition of a controversial word

 1000+ words

 3+ sources, 3+ pieces of evidence/examples. Seerubric.

 WC page

 Thesis statementhighlighted

 Organization, use of “You ” etc. Check rubric.

More examples: American, goth, metal-head, gangster (or

gangsta), frat boy,sorority girl, dumbblonde, jock, book smartsversus street smarts,holiday, normal,retarded, relationship,cult, import vehicle,teacher, hero, happiness,success, murder, rape,

pretty versus cute,gorgeous versus adorable,etc.

8/8/2019 Eng120 P2 Summer10

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/eng120-p2-summer10 2/2

---“Ladylike” is a word that should no longer be in use; it’s practically unattainable because it doesn’t allowwomen their typical human functions – burping, farting, sweating, etc.---A “cougar” is a woman in her 40s who dresses like she’s 20 and patrols the bars at least 2 times a weeklooking for a guy in his 20s.---When most people hear the words “college student,” they think it’s synonymous with “drunk.” Well, it’snot.