Essentials of the English Language

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As children, we learn to read and write the typical English language taught to us by our elementary school teachers. Although we are fully capable of speaking and writing it, we are not fully aware of the ways the english language has been used to trick and deceive us. Language is misused in many different ways, and it is rarely identified by the average citizen. According to some known authors, like William Lutz, Donna Woolfolk, William Zinsser and others, language is being used to manipulate the minds of the average citizen. Average citizens should become fully aware of the language used around them. Many times, the language used is full of honest lies, that are being blindly believed. Commercials on television are constantly advertising their products, doing everything they can to convince their audience. Writers are constantly writing things to make things sound better than they really are. These writers tend to be the ones who end up working with advertising companies or political parties to increase their chances of being bought out. Big words seem to be doing the job when it comes to convincing people. Those who are fully aware of the ways language can be manipulated are constantly misusing it to their advantage, they find ways to deceive the average citizen. Being aware of the language used around us is a very important aspect of becoming a well informed citizen; if one is not fully aware of the tricks language can pull, they will quickly and foolishly be betrayed on a daily basis. As a young girl, watching television was my favorite pastime, I remember watching toy commercials and begging my parents to buy them for me. The kids on television seemed so convincing and their parents made it seem as if it were well worth ... ... middle of paper ... ... College Writers. 10th Edition. Karen S. Henry. Boston/New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2009. 442-452. Print. Maloney, Field. “Is Whole Foods Wholesome?” Language Awareness: Reading For College Writers. 10th Edition. Karen S. Henry. Boston/New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2009. 595- 598. Print. Orwell, George. “Politics and the English Language.” Language Awareness: Reading For College Writers. 10th Edition. Karen S. Henry. Boston/New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2009. 163- 176. Print. Woolfolk, Donna. “Propaganda: How Not to Be Bamboozled.” Language Awareness: Reading For College Writers. 10th Edition. Karen S. Henry. Boston/New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2009. 147-162. Print. Zinsser, William. “Simplicity.” Language Awareness: Reading For College Writers. 10th Edition. Karen S. Henry. Boston/New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2009. 129-134. Print.

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