Part 1/ Introduction
State: Exploring Literacy Landscapes and Superdiversity in a New York City Community.
Zoom in: Investigate the languages spoken by the diverse community of my chosen neighborhood (the neighborhood where I live), examining literacy landscapes and the community’s relationship to the concept of superdiversity. The goal is to understand how language is intertwined with identity, community, power, and discourse.
Introduce your topic: Diverse communities are a major feature of the United States as a country made up of immigrants, and I am also interested in this as an immigrant.
Describe you research methods: Walking around the community where I live, recording and photographing literacy-related elements like advertisements, signs, and other texts.
Part 2
Present your evidence.
1. Photograph of Languages that appear in my community: Hebrew, Spanish and English.
Analysis: Racial groups that may be included in my community. These languages are not mere modes of communication; they are vibrant symbols embodying the multicultural and multilingual essence that defines our community.
2. The notes roughly count the races of shop owners in this community.
Analysis: Going beyond a simple tally, the races of shop owners serve as a microcosm reflecting the larger community’s demographic makeup, allowing us to discern connections between cultural diversity, historical influences, and observed literacy practices.
Part 3:
Explain: which discourse describes your project, hegemonic or counternarrative?
Counternarrative, the exploration of literacy landscapes and superdiversity aims to uncover and highlight alternative narratives that may challenge or resist existing power structures.
Part 4:
Reference at least one course material. Make a connection between the course material and your research topic.
“Super-Diversity: A New Conception of Population Diversity” by Steven Vertovec.
The term superdiversity was coined by Steven Vertovec. I haven’t started reading it yet, but from what I’ve heard in this book: Vertovec provides insights into the complexities of diverse communities, addressing factors such as language, culture, and social interactions. It’s a perfect fit for my essay topic.
Part 5:
So? Why should we care?
Literacy demands vary across different demographic groups within a community. Recognizing and addressing these variations is essential for fostering social inclusion. Informed policies and initiatives can be developed to cater to the diverse literacy needs, ensuring that all community members have equal access to resources and opportunities.
One thought on “Essay outline”
1) Yes, Jiayang clearly states that the purpose of this essay is to explore Literacy Landscapes and Superdiversity in a New York City Community.
2) Yes, he states that his essay will explore option 2: Literacy Landscapes and Superdiversity in the Community.
3) Jiayang will conduct his research by exploring his neighborhood and recording various literary elements via film and photography.
4) The central idea of Jiayang’s essay is to understand how various literary elements (signs, advertisements, etc.) in his neighborhood reveal something about the demographic.
5) Yes. Jiayang provides several examples of literary elements in his communities.
6) Yes. Jiayang interprets each of the examples, and how they relate to his essay.
7) I don’t think so. Jiayang references “Super-Diversity: A New Conception of Population Diversity” by Steven Vertovec. However, I think this is a book he will read, and not from our course material.
8) Jiayang references counternarrative discourse. By exploring literacy landscapes he will highlight and give power to alternative narratives.
9) I think Jiayang has a really good idea of what he is doing and where he is going with his essay. I think that this is an interesting topic, and can be a super powerful way to look at and give power to marginalized groups in NYC.
10) I think that this essay could use a little more research and evidence. I think you have a really good grasp of your topic, but I am not sure that it is as strong as it could be. After reading your draft, I am left wanting to know and learn more about what it is that you are stating about NYC.