Before Hip-Hop Was Hip Hop Summary

Jordan Myrow

Hodge

English 9a

"Before Hip-Hop Was Hip-Hop"

1. According to Walker, why did P.S. 141 "crackle" with energy? In what ways did hip-hop help Walker and her friends bridge differences?
Due to the multicultural backgrounds in the school, there was a lot of separation between cultures. The differences were bridged through diversity in the school.
2. Why is it so important for Walker and her friends to define themselves through dress, special language, dance, and music? What do teenagers use today to express themselves?
It helps them make a statement, and show who they really are as individuals. Today teens express their true selves through clothing, music, etc.
3. Is the tone of Walker's essay personal or impersonal? What other adjectives

appropriately describe her tone? Which details in the first three paragraphs support your answers?
I think this is personal because of the author’s description of a first hand experience she had. Another observation I’ve made that convinced me this is personal is the fact it was in first person point of view, making it upfront and personal.
4. What overall organizational structure does Walker use to organize her essay?
She uses nonfictional, so basically a real structure.
"A Celebration of Grandfathers"
1. State the central idea of Anaya's essay in your own words.
The central idea is appreciating and taking advantage of the knowledge, and experience that Grandparents contain.
2. List three supporting details that serve as evidence for the main point that Anaya makes in his essay. Does the author adequately support his main idea with details? Why or why not?
“His prayer was a meaningful action, because he was a participant with the forces that filled our world, he was not a bystander.”

“ We need to know where we stand. We need to speak softly and respect others, and to share what we have. “
“They don’t make men like that anymore,” is a phrase we hear when one does honor to a man. I am glad I knew my grandfather.”
Yes the author provides her respect for her elders, and is glad that she was willing to open to what they had to tell her before they passed away.
“The News”
1. What quotations does Postman use to make his ideas clear to readers? Does this essay persuade you to have a certain opinion? Explain your response. How might you extend or elaborate on the Postman's ideas and share them with others?
“This belief is based not on knowledge of the anchorman's character or achievements as a journalist, but on his presentation of self while on the air.”
This was a very interesting quote to me. It not only showed that anchormen are not qualified journalists, but it also shows that they are supposed to say what is written. It’s a scary feeling because that means the stories presented good be missing key components thus making everyone who watches unaware of certain things.
2. Summarize the central idea of "The News" in your own words.
The central idea of this is to show that sometimes we go based off of presentation, rather than background information.
3. List three supporting details that serve as evidence for the main point that Anaya makes in his essay. Does the author adequately support his main idea with details? Why or why not?
“This belief is based not on knowledge of the anchorman's character or achievements as a journalist, but on his presentation of self while on the air.”
“Already, then, before a single news item is introduced, a great deal has been communicated.”
“Those who produce television news in America know that their medium favors images that move. That is why they despise "talking heads," people who simply appear in front of a camera and speak.”
These quotes all provide support in the central idea and help support my central idea that presentation is far greater than background information.

"Carry Your Own Skies"
1. In this essay, what is the author trying to persuade readers to do? What evidence does she use to support her position?
She trying to persuade them to be independent, and take care of things on their own.

2. Using a chart, identify three passages in which Dolan argues for "the 'carry your own skis' mentality." In the right-hand column, indicate whether each passage is an appeal to reason or to emotion, and explain your ideas. Which kind of appeals does the author seem to favor--appeals to reason or appeals to emotion? Explain.
“My mother didn't teach us to ski until we could carry our own skis from the car to the lodge in the morning and, this is key, from the lodge back to the car at the end of the day. “ The authors mother was teaching her to be independent, and self reliant, without her
“I would sign up to make the PB&Js and to clean up the mess. I'd load the canoes onto the truck and take 'em off again. And the tent? I'd put it up and I'd take it down. “ She was raised and taught to do everything on his own
“In high school, the kids who didn't carry their own skis called their parents to bring in assignments they'd forgotten or to ask for a ride home instead of walking or taking the late bus.” She is basically saying that everyone else was babied as a child, while she was to be groomed as a young independent

adult
These quotes show that all her life she was taught to be independent, so come time for her to be an adult, se wouldn’t have to rely on many people
"Libraries Face a Sad Chapter"
1. In this essay, what is the author trying to persuade readers to do? What evidence does he use to support his position?
This essay is trying to persuade and emphasize the importance of libraries, and books.
2. Are the claims in this essay well reasoned and logical? Explain.
Yes, everything is well written, and consistent
3. Which passages are especially convincing? Explain.
“There were bound volumes of a children's magazine called St. Nicholas, full of spidery drawings of animals that talked, and villains who didn't.” This shows his memory, and love for the library.
"I Have A Dream"
1. In this persuasive speech, what is Martin Luther King, Jr.'s purpose? Explain.
His purpose is to give hope to African Americans. He dreams that one day everyone will be labeled as equal, and segregation would be removed.
2. What evidence does King use to support his position? What details are most valid to his argument? Why?
“Five score years ago a great American in who’s symbolic shadow we stand today signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree is a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering justice”
In this quote he is saying that being able to participate was the best thing to happen to slaves, and now the best thing to happen to current African Americans would be to desegregate the country, and allow everyone to be equal.

3. Identify a passage in which King uses emotionally charged language as a persuasive technique. What specific purpose do you think King had in using such language? Explain.
“Now is the time to make justice a 1-mlity for all a€
God's children. It would be fatal for the nation to overlook
the urgency of the moment.”
He uses this language because he knows everyone is mostly religious and by saying everyone was made in the image of God, it shows that color doesn’t matter when it comes time for judgment.
"First Inaugural Address"
1. In this persuasive speech, what is President Roosevelt's purpose? Explain.
To gain popularity and trust amongst the American People.
2. What evidence does Roosevelt use to support his position? What details are most valid to his argument? Why?
“More important, a host of unemployed citizens face the grim problem of existence, and an equally great number toil with little return. Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment.”
This quote was showing that during their time in the depression, he is addressing the situation, and thinking of ways to better the U.S situation.

3. Identify a passage in which Roosevelt uses emotionally charged language as a persuasive technique. What specific purpose do you think he had in using such language? Explain.
Throughout his speech it is very emotional, and connects to the entire country. The U.S was in a crisis at the time, and he knew how to use his words, and make himself seem like a true leader.