What role has language played in your worldview?

Spring 2022
English 221
The Power of Language
What role has language played in your
worldview?
In his article, “How Language Shapes Our World,” Professor of Psychology David Ludden
posits that “we see the world according to the framework our language imposes on us.” Do
you agree with Ludden’s observation? To what extent do you think our world is limited or
expanded by our own language? How does language influence our worldview? How has
language influenced how you see the world?
The Task
For our first essay of the semester, you have a choice as to your approach:
1. You can write an essay in which you take a position on Ludden’s comment about how
we see the world. Does language influence our world? Our behavior? Our thinking?
You may use your own experience, although your experience with language would not
be the focus of this approach. You may discuss how language addresses issues
pertaining to the pandemic, to racial or political division, to what’s happening on a daily
basis in our world, although this topic, too, isn’t required. The bigger question to
address is whether or not language influences how we see and understand the world
around us.
2. You may make this more of a personal essay in which you discuss how your language
(or languages, if you are multilingual) influences how you see the world. Especially if
you speak multiple languages… is there a difference in worldview between the
languages you know? How does that influence your own thinking? You have some
latitude here with how you approach this question, but at the heart of the essay prompt
is the exploration of language and its power/influence (or lack thereof) over your
thinking and possibly your behavior.
The difference between the two approaches:
Approach #1 focuses on the question: How does language influence our view of the world?
Approach #2 focuses on the question: How does language influence your view of the world?
Your Audience
Write to this class, an interested group of readers who are curious to know about your
perspective on the intersection (if there is one) among language, thought, and worldview. You
can assume that your audience has read Ludden’s article, so there is no need to summarize
his key points. The other articles, however, should include some basic summary of key points
if you’re using them as evidence.
Essay Structure
This essay is an academic argument, which means that you are making a reasoned case for
your thinking and support for your thesis. The following elements should appear in your
essay:
● An introduction where you introduce your topic. We’ll be focusing on a variety of ways
to introduce (beyond the traditional “hook”)
● The thesis must be present in the essay, but you determine where it fits best. Maybe
you want to present it early in the essay…maybe you want to end with the thesis (like
Ludden does). Maybe your thesis makes the most sense in the middle of the essay.
You decide. Wherever you put your thesis, please be sure to underline it.
o Keep in mind: You should no longer be writing a three-part thesis.
A three-part thesis looks like this:
This essay will be about books, Morgan Freeman, and cheese.
Paragraph 1: books. Paragraph 2: Morgan Freeman. Paragraph 3: cheese.
A three-part thesis is formulaic and inhibits the critical thinking we will be
working on in this class. Using a three-part thesis will automatically give you a
“Not Yet Passing” as your feedback. Don’t worry: We’ll be working on this skill!
● Because this essay is not a traditional argument, there is no need for a
counterargument, rebuttal, or concession. Think of this essay as less of an argument
(meaning, you aren’t trying to persuade the audience of something) and more of an
opportunity to defend your own opinion and thinking.
● A conclusion paragraph that brings some type of closure to the essay. Avoid
summarizing all your main points; consider what you want to leave your readers with.
Think of the “so what?” (And you can play with your conclusion in the same way you
played with the introduction, a technique called “bookending.” We’ll talk more about
this!)
Assignment Snapshot
● Assignment: Write an academic essay in which you choose one of two approaches on
Ludden’s overall idea: does language influence how we see the world?
● Audience: Our class
● Sources: Three credible sources are required; two of them must be from class
readings (and one of those should be Ludden). All three resources can be from course
material.
● Documentation: The entire essay and Works Cited page must follow MLA formatting.
● Length: Recommended word count: 1,500 words. You decide. Word count does not
include the Works Cited page. Include the word count at the bottom of the last page of
your writing.
● Due Dates:
o Wednesday, February 16th
: Rough draft due
▪ Grace period due date: Thursday, February 17th
o Wednesday, March 2nd: Essay due
▪ Grace period due date: Friday, March 4th
● Conference Weeks:
o Weeks of February 6th, February 13th, and February 20th
o Remember: The conference is basically an assignment worth 5 points. If you
choose not to conference, you do not receive those points.
Other Considerations
● Remember to revise, proofread, and edit. You don’t want me to be your editor!
● You might have more freedom on this essay than you would prefer–and that’s ok! You
decide what you want to focus on. Meet with me early in the process to talk over your
ideas if you find yourself struggling.
Learning Objectives
● Read and think critically about the role language plays in our lives
● Write a well-reasoned, coherent essay supporting a thesis with evidence
● Practice embedding evidence and analyzing that evidence
● Practice information literacy by critically evaluating sources of information and ideas
● Practice the assessment of new sources relevant to the essay