Javier Pujols

Freshman Composition, ENG110.

S.E Hamlet

Rhetorical Analysis Essay

10/25/2021

Cover Letter

All I could think when I first read this paragraph was wow; it was enlightenment in terms of writing. It removed the blinders, and I was able to write more freely. My scope’s zoom was boosted. This text’s layout is truly motivating. June Jordan told us a story that is one major rhetorical approach, with many smaller methods woven into it. It’s a large gift with more gifts within.

I learned how to better read complex content, such as this one, as a result of this writing assignment. It taught me how to decipher text and understand what is being stated. Previously, I would read an entire page and had no idea what it was about. Nonetheless, because I’m not just reading, but also evaluating and comprehending what’s being stated, this task assisted me in gathering information.

One of the most impactful concepts I have acknowledged throughout this assignment is context, and for many reasons as well. One of them is the fact that with a lot of background knowledge for the audience, the better understanding they will have. It can help my writing be way more explicit and understandable. You can’t just talk about a topic without background knowledge. It’s like speaking about Martin Luther King’s speech “ I Have A Dream” and not talking about the racism in America for centuries. Context is just a big improvement to any body of text.

Now reading this text and seeing my goals for this class has helped me become closer to achieving them. Now moving forward in life, there will be a time where I would have to write; obviously, but this assignment and analysis of June Jordan’s text “ Nobody Means More to Me Than You and the Future Life of Willie Jordan” have widened my range in terms of writing skills. Due to the new options, I have been enlightened. June Jordan’s use of an anecdote and many other strategies has helped me develop strategies for reading, drafting, collaborating, revising, and editing.

In this text, June Jordan has one main target audience, and it is those who are not aware of the mistreatment of Black English, and the negative effects White English has on it. Bullseye is what I call June Jordan’s shot at targeting the audience. That is because it is enlightenment to those who are left in the dark. Nevertheless, it is a magnet to those who have experienced the backlash of White English.

It never fails to amaze me that this assignment not only assisted me in achieving one academic goal but two. The second benefit was that it assisted me in recognizing and practicing crucial rhetorical words and methods when I was writing. Being able to do so can be quite valuable in academic lectures, especially when dealing with long texts and answering questions. Being able to evaluate a text is very useful, and it’s exactly what I wanted to get out of this lesson. My reading and writing skills have greatly increased as a result of this writing assignment and the analysis that is required in the material.

The Enlightenment on Black English

Imagine doing something your whole life, just to find out it is wrong. Well in this case it’s language. In “ Nobody Means More to Me Than You and the Future Life of Willie Jordan”  by June Jordan The author argues that white English is considered standard English in America and how it backlashes on the numerous English dialects, especially black English. June Jordan then explains how it is superior and how it diminishes black English in the dark. Jordan employs several rhetorical techniques to accentuate her point. Jordan’s preferred method of demonstrating her argument is through an anecdote, although there are much more like imagery, repetition, and appeals to ethos. She uses her definition of black English to help the audience understand what she would be discussing later in her article and that would be her story.

First off, at the beginning of the text, we are given context, and based on that context we know that June Jordan was an African American English teacher. She gives us this knowledge to appeal to ethos. June Jordan being an African American influence her text so much because the text revolves about the black language in which she speaks therefore, she knows personally how it feels to have your language in the shadow because it isn’t considered standard which she claims is “White” English.

Now, this leads to June Jordan’s use of quotation marks. Many times throughout the text, June Jordan uses the term “standard” and even “English”. Shown on page 2 paragraph 1, 3 “Approximately 10 percent of these native speakers of “English” are Afro-American citizens of the U.S.A. I cite these numbers and varieties of human beings dependent on “English” in order, quickly, to suggest how strange and tenuous any concept of “Standard English” is.” Well these quotations emphasize her point and the relationship between Black and White “English”. How white “English” shouldn’t be considered as standard English, because judging something based on one view and perception of a concept is wrong.

One strategy that is highlighted throughout the text is repetition. Jordan purposefully repeats the term “Black English” over 50 times. Jordan also puts the word “standard English” in quotation marks, to emphasize this term. June Jordan purposefully keeps reiterating these points, despite the fact the message she is trying to portray. Jordan employs this to underline two key concepts from her writing, Black English and what is commonly referred to as “normal English”

Furthermore, in the introduction to her story, June Jordan states “Here was a negative Black reaction to a prize-winning accomplishment of Black literature that White readers across the country had selected as a best seller” in the last paragraph on page 2. When you initially hear all of the credibility that has been offered, you might assume that it is a fairly decent text. This was not the case in her class, though. She employs this expertise to highlight the distinction between Black and White English. As a result, she aids the audience in comprehending the maltreatment of black English.

In June Jordan’s story, she goes through a process of teaching Black English. “Rule 1: Black English is about a whole lot more than mothafuckin” “Rule 2: If it’s wrong in Standard English it’s probably right in Black English, or, at least, you’re hot. “ These are some of the guidelines she taught Black English students. She makes use of this occasion to educate the audience on Black English, by going into detail for every rule. The development of her definition aids the reader’s understanding of the topic she will be discussing shortly. 

This assist to the audience can also be shown ahead in a section where she goes in-depth about the three qualities of Black English which are,” the presence of life, voice, and clarity-that intensify to a distinctive Black value system that we became excited about and self-consciously tried to maintain.“ She continues and explains each quality. Giving the audience a better understanding of the qualities of Black English. Enlightening them why black English should be embraced and not tossed around like a second option to White English.

Moving forwards in Jordan’s text, Jordan states “He looked like a wrestler… Short, with strikingly broad shoulders and long arms, he spoke with a surprisingly high, soft voice that matched the soft bright movement of his eyes. His name was Willie Jordan ” June Jordan employs imagery in this section of the novel to create an image in the reader’s mind, allowing them to better grasp her story. Willie Jordan plays a significant role in the plot, so she goes into great detail regarding his description.

In addition, the author did an outstanding job in grabbing the audience’s interest. One of those ways was by appealing to pathos. She used the plot of her story as an advantage in getting the audience on her side. Furthermore, that can be shown on page 9 paragraph 2, where June Jordan states, “At last, his sadly jumbled account let me surmise, as follows: Brooklyn police had murdered his unarmed, twenty-five-year-old brother, Reggie Jordan.”. The plot’s sadness was an excellent approach for gaining the audience’s support. June Jordan also offers a vivid picture of Willie Jordan’s mood and feelings, which adds to her attraction. She utilizes this as a link to connect her primary thesis, which is about white “standard” English’s negative reaction to black English. Showing that the backlash can take many forms, one of which is the death of Willie Jordan.

Finally, June Jordan employs several rhetorical methods, including pathos and ethos appeals, as well as repetition and imagery. All of these techniques backup and support her point, which is that white English is regarded as standard English in America and that this has repercussions for the other English dialects, particularly black English. In addition to the fact that it is superior, it also diminishes black English in the dark and is simply incorrect.

Work cited Page

 “ Nobody Means More to Me Than You and the Future Life of Willie Jordan”,  by June Jordan, jordan nobody mean more to me than you.pdf