Kirsten Bush English 1101 October 15, 2013 Ms.

Linda Hofmann Professor The University of North Carolina at Charlotte 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223 Dear Ms. Hofmann, At this point in the semester I consider my dedication and contribution to your class up to par with what your expectations are of your students. With that being said, let me review my qualifications. I understand attendance in your class is crucial for being successful. I also know that three absences are allowed without penalty, four will reduce your grade by a letter point, five will reduce it by two, and 6 will result in an automatic failure. I have yet to be tardy or absent in your class. I believe I am very engaged in my group in your class. It helps that we all click well and are open with each other. Callie, Michaela, Suzanna, Adriana, and I are all very different, and are from different parts of the country, but we all come together as the Cinco Chicas. Our group is very unique and each bring something different to the table. Callie is very athletic while Adriana and Michaela are similar because theyre out of state students. Suzanna is the most interesting to me because she is from Europe and can speak Serbian. I would consider myself unique because I have lived all over the east coast and have common interests that blend with everyone in the group. The best part of our class as a whole is that it seems like I can relate to everyone and what they share. I rarely feel like I have nothing to contribute, and can easily offer my opinions or experiences. When we talk about different parts of the country having multiliteracies I can relate from the different states I have lived in. When we talk about portfolios I can also contribute because of my experiences with journalism through out yearbook. I cannot say I am the most unique in the class, but I do feel like I fit in well with the people I am surrounded with. Your class has been filled with many interesting articles over the semester. The article that stands out most to me is Delpit: No Kinda Sense. This article intrigued me, because when I volunteer or babysit and hear children talk with Ebonics I wonder why their parents teach them to continually speak that way. Honestly, it does drive me a little nuts even when I hear adults speak that way because I cant always comprehend it. But, I do understand not everyone was raised to share the same cultural bonds as my family and I. Personally, I have been corrected my whole life to speak with precise grammar and be mature when engaged in adult conversations. I understand Delpit when she tells the story she encounters with her daughter using Ebonics. Its moving to hear that she accepts her daughters choice to speak the way she does, because of her ability to code switch. I can relate because it is often hard for me to accept things and come to a compromise with the people I love. I think it would be hard to have to listen to a speech you did not teach your daughter, so I admire Delpits article the most,

because of her ability to welcome her daughters ability to make sense of her own language. The biggest change I have encountered in your class is being able to use my computer as my journal. I always wanted to be able to have the freedom to type instead of write because it has always been easier to get my point across. Here is a sample of one of my writings. 9/9/2013 Ebonics in the Age of Obama The differences in the individual perspectives in the video, is that they argue that Ebonics is a term used to cover up using improper English, while some people believe it is used to express how it is used to define oneself. What stood out to me most was when the lady in the video termed, We are using Ebonics to cover up improper English. I would have to agree with it because to me it doesnt always sound the best. I think that the man also makes a valid point in the video when he says, I remember going to the YMCA and people would say oh you speak white. I can relate to this because one of my closest friends is African American, and he also is constantly being told that he dresses and sounds like a white kid. I think that Ebonics is fine to a point because I am culturally aware of it and can understand it for the most part. But everyone doesnt always culturally accept it. Though I dont really speak with Ebonics because I was raised to speak like I was in an academic setting at all times, I think that it opens my eyes to other people who face this challenge. I agree that I think that it is an excuse for some people to use broken English; then again its not my culture. I think that Ebonics matters to people because they want to be respected regardless of how they speak. I can understand the argument made in this video because they are all very well educated African Americans who support the equality, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and others fought so hard to accomplish. It is clear that this video was produced to fight against Ebonics so that everything people have fought was not wasted to down grade a lower level of speaking. I wrote this piece after watching the video you showed us on Ebonics. I chose to share this piece because I was completely clueless on what Ebonics was before watching this video and reading the article in class. I enjoyed writing this journal entry because I have never stopped to think how language influences everyone. Through out the semester our journal has been a great place to express our thoughts and has given me the opportunity to be open minded about your methods in class. I try to be as thorough and precise as possible so I have more to build off of when you give us a paper to turn in, and it has really helped me thus far. I have dedicated an immense amount of time to my homework, forum postings, and reading in your class. I want to be successful and meet your expectations. I would say that the level of dedication I put into your class is very high. I havent missed a submission and appreciate all the comments you give on my work. I would say my My Pen Writes In? forum has been my greatest achievement in your class. It was my highest grade and I thought it was an assignment I had leeway to make my own. It was easier to write this forum because it was about my language and my life. I also enjoy the freedom you let us have with most of our submissions because it is always more enjoyable to write about something Im comfortable with. I can say that I have definitely struggled with my ILLI paper. I am in need of a direction and plan to revaluate it completely. I feel that there are some strong points

but it over all isnt what you want. I understand that your comments were only to help me become a better writer. I appreciate the constructive criticism because I want it to be something I am proud of. I guess it is hard to find a focus on this paper because my language isnt anything I have ever written or thought about. I am focusing too much on a narrative in my life and vague topics, and I want to focus on my family and find my identity. I hope that paper doesnt make you think I am not putting effort into your class, or you think I am not a very skilled writer. I just cant seem to find my place in this paper, but I know I can make the next draft better after reviewing your comments and listening to other peers give me feed back. I am going to try to find structure, identity, and direction. I understand the status of my paper is unacceptable and I will work hard to get it where it needs to be. As for the rest of the semester, I plan to continue to work hard and finish my portfolio. I have put together my information page, and set up the layout of where I want everything to go. I am uncertain how I will insert all my writings in my portfolio, but I think I will probably look into scribe. I plan to keep it very simple and make it look as professional as possible. I might even go to the writing center to get some help with my ILLI after I revise it for the third time, just so I can finally feel happy with the results. Over all I really enjoy your class and feel like I am growing as a writer. I hope you can see my potential and contribution in your class. Sincerely, Kirsten Bush