Summary on How to Tame a Wild Tongue by Gloria Anzaldua

Angela Rodriguez

English 1A CV 231

Mon & Wed 1:30-:3:20

Professor Chinchilla

In How to Tame a Wild Tongue, Anzaldua describes her upbringing in a dual culture society. One being her academic culture, where she is expected to speak clearly and adhere to the American English Language. The other her Spanish Chicano culture, where specific edict expectations are placed on her at an early age and throughout her upbringing. Her Latino culture, while posing conflicting and challenging beliefs on Anzaldua invigorate and fill her with pride at the same time. The academic culture requires her to reform to proper English annunciation and speech. The testing and trying of each culture prove to evolve and inspire her throughout time. Despite the power struggle between the two, Anzaldua transforms the cultured beliefs into accomplishment both backgrounds can admire and respect.

Anzaldua describes, “Being Mexican is a state of soul – not one of mind.” This comes about after a lifetime of enduring two cultures demands. Obtaining the ability to extract the good traits from each culture and producing a scholar for influence upon current and future generations. Discovering a sense of pride from her Latino culture opened a doorway of opportunity into her academic culture. She discovers that her people being patient have endured and she adapts to the same philosophy. Knowing she has evolved and is a part of a new future she accepts both cultures positives and negatives and uses them to inspire her writings. “I will no longer be made to feel ashamed of existing. I will have my voice: Indian, Spanish, white. I will have my serpent’s tongue- my woman’s voice, my sexual voice, my poet’s voice. I will overcome the tradition of silence.

Short Summary on “They Say/I Say” The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing by Gerald Graff & Cathy Birkenstein

Angela Rodriguez

English 1 A cv231

Mon & Wed 1:30-3:20

Professor Chinchilla

In the introduction to “They Say/ I Say” Graff and Birkenstein provide templates designed to help the reader gain a better knowledge of writing formats along with structure for their writings.

Specifically, Graff and Birkenstein argue that the types of writing templates they offer help the reader gain better writing creativity. As the authors themselves put it, “Often without consciously realizing it, accomplished writers routinely rely on a stock of established moves that are crucial for communicating sophisticated ideas.” Although some people believe that the templates take away the creativity and depth of ones writing. I can see where just in the introduction how useful this book itself helps the reader gain knowledge and build their confidence in each write.

Short Summary on Leslie Marmon Silko – Language and Literature from the Pueblo Indian Perspective

Angela Rodriguez

English 1 A cv231

Mon & Wed 1:30-3:20

Professor Chinchilla

Silko is showing us that there are stories with in stories by mere words themselves. She shows us that history is important in every culture. It is also imperative to know your history for not only knowledge, for helping others now and in times to come. “Where I come from, the words most highly valued are those spoken from the heart, unpremeditated and unrehearsed.” I particularly enjoyed this very quote. In today’s society and while I was growing up, how important has it been to choose your words carefully. In a day and age where we are expected to rehearse what to say so that it comes out clear and concise, for each situation. It’s an eye opener to see how this specific culture holds history’s importance to them, how they carry it to each generation to keep the knowledge going.

Compare and Contrast on Leslie Marmon Silko – Language and Literature from the Pueblo Indian Perspective and Gerald Graff & Cathy Birkenstein – “They Say /I Say” The Moves That Matter In Academic Writing.

Angela Rodriguez

English 1 A cv231

Mon & Wed 1:30-3:20

Professor: Chinchilla

When comparing and contrasting “They Say I Say,” to Pueblo Language and Literature I thought it would be easier to contrast the two. I found rather that there are many comparisons.  Each demonstrates the importance of communication through the ages. In Pueblo language, Silko shows us that there are stories within words themselves. “Everything in this world was a part of the original Creation.” “They Say I Say,” Graff & Birkenstein show us that with formats in writing the reader can demonstrate more creative and interesting writings, to engage the audience. “In many respects our templates echo this classical rhetorical tradition of imitating established models.”  The main difference is that one is more educational and professional the other is heartfelt, poetic. Both demonstrate the importance of listening and communication.