Activity 2

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Identify which language function(s)—informative, directive, expressive, ceremonial—are most likely served by of each of the following passages.

1. The planet Pluto was first observed at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona.
   • Informative
2. I’d like an espresso (customer to waitress at coffee shop).
   • Ceremonial, directive
3. “God is dead.” (Friedrich Nietzsche)
   • Expressive
4. Wow! I’m so happy. My application for a scholarship just got approved.
   • Informative, expressive
5. Excuse me, but this is a nonsmoking area (said to a smoker).
   • Ceremonial, directive, informative
6. “A national debate is raging between women’s groups and law-enforcement types stepping in to protect the health of a fetus from a mother who they believe will not, or cannot, look after it.”
   • Informative, slightly expressive
7. “Honor thy mother and thy father.” (Deuteronomy)
   • Directive (honor this), expressive
8. You should be careful about what you eat at college. The average college student puts on 15 pounds during his or her freshman year.
   • Directive, informative
9. Thank you.
   • Ceremonial

Identify emotive language in the following excerpts from Donald Trump’s inauguration speech

1. “America will be respected again and admired again… We will be the envy of every nation…”
2. “Our government refuses to defend American borders… provides sanctuary for dangerous criminals…”
3. “The entire nation is rapidly unifying behind our agenda…”

We can ask ‘respected’ หมายถึงอะไร ใครจะมา respect เรา? what do you mean by that?

Are the following statements vague, ambiguous or could be seen as both?

1. "Leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean."
   • Vague
2. "Nothing beats our soap!"
   • Ambiguous
3. "Made with natural ingredients."
   • Vague
4. "Tastes like home."
   • Ambiguous
5. "Built for performance."
   • Vague
6. "The smartest phone yet."
   • Ambiguous

Analyze this fictional speech for unsupported value claims, ambiguity and vagueness

• "Our great nation stands at a crossroads. The reckless policies of the previous administration have devastated our economy, leaving hardworking families to suffer while elites thrive. We will restore dignity, pride, and prosperity to every corner of this land. Our plan is bold, our vision is clear, and our resolve is unshakable. No longer will we tolerate weakness, indecision, or betrayal. The time for action is now, and history will remember this moment as the rebirth of true leadership."
  • stands at a crossroads → Ambiguity
  • Our plan is bold, our vision is clear, and our resolve is unshakable. → Unsupported

5. Discuss the denotative and connotative meanings of each of the following words:  communism, moon, marriage, doormat, easy, mouse, death
   • communism
     • denotative - a political theory
     • connotative - lack of personal freedom
   • moon
     • denotative - The natural satellite of the Earth, visible (mostly at night) by reflected sunlight.
     • connotative - Romance, mystery, dreams
   • marriage
     • denotative - A legally or formally recognized union between two people as partners in a personal relationship.
     • connotative - Love, commitment
   • doormat
     • denotative - A mat placed in front of a door for people to wipe their feet on.
     • connotative - A person who is overly submissive or allows themselves to be treated poorly without protest.
   • easy
     • denotative - Achieved with little effort; not difficult.
     • connotative - When referring to people (especially women), it can suggest promiscuity or lack of self-respect; also can imply laziness or lack of challenge.
   • mouse
     • denotative - A small rodent, a part of a computer
     • connotative - weakness
   • death
     • denotative - The end of life
     • connotative - Fear, loss, finality, sorrow, or sometimes peace or release; varies widely based on cultural, religious, and personal beliefs.

denotative (literal, dictionary meaning) and connotative (emotional, cultural, or implied meaning)

Apply the 8 rules in assessing if the lexical definition. Identify the rules each one violates.

1. A “sculpture” is a three-dimensional image made of marble. 
   • Too narrow (rule 3), it can be made of other things
2. A “theist” is anyone who is not an atheist or an agnostic. 
   • Rule 6: not familiar with the word,
3. “Table” is to discuss. 
   • Rule 8
4. “Election” means the tedious formal choice by vote of a person for a political position.
   • Rule 7
5. A “misogynist” is a person who adopts a misogynistic attitude & behavior.
   • Rule 4, use the same word as in defninition!

Definitions

1. How can the phrase “good student” be stipulatively defined? Think of a situation in which a teacher and student disagree about the phrase.

   A good student is one who consistently submits assignments on time, participates in class discussions at least twice per week, and maintains a grade average above 85%.

   • A student argues that they are a "good student" because they are respectful, attentive, and love the subject, even though they occasionally turn in late assignments and don’t speak up in class.
2. Try to write a precise definition (own words) of the word “participation”, in the context of class participation. Focus on the idea that participation is meant to be graded with a score.
   • Participation is the measurable and active involvement of a student in class activities, including contributing to discussions, asking relevant questions, engaging in group work, and responding when prompted by the teacher.
3. Write a precising definition for the term “student” in the context of getting a student’s discount for travel.
   • A “student” is an individual enrolled full-time or part-time at an accredited educational institution, who can present a valid student ID or official enrollment documentation issued within the current academic year.
4. Can you think of any very new words or previously existing words that have been given new meanings? Explain (define) them.
   • taskmasking