A Descriptive Analysis Of NiggerThe Meaning Of

The introduction is a frame for the rest of the writing to fill. Naylor discusses how language is the subject of her piece, and although the written word is what has kept her going throughout her life she still feels that the written word is inferior to the spoken. Her arguments in the introduction are clear and easily understood. She is portraying what how powerful she feels the spoken word to be. Naylor states, “Dialogue achieves its power in the dynamics of a fleeting moment of sight, sound, smell and touch.” (460) This helps the audience understand the power of a spoken word. Naylor takes the position that words either written or spoken don’t take on meaning until a consensus assigns one. Naylor states, “Words themselves are innocuous; it is the consensus that gives them true power.” (460) As a writer Naylor feels that the spoken word has a greater impact than the written word by stating, “…much of the frustration experienced by novelists is the

awareness that whatever we manage to capture in even the most transcendent passages falls far short of the richness of life.” (460) She introduces her audience to how powerful the spoken word can be which is what the rest of the piece is involved with.

Naylor uses a chronological organization in writing this piece. She starts with an experience as a young girl and then goes on to outline how her thoughts on the word ‘nigger’ evolved to become what they are today.

In her conclusion Naylor sums her point up nicely. She wants to bring about an awareness of how words can take on different meanings depending upon how they are used. She relays an example of how a word can take on an entirely new meaning and the fact that one may not really hear a word or take notice of it until it takes on that new meaning by stating, “There must have been dozens of times that the word ‘nigger’ was spoken in front of me before I reached the third grade. But I didn’t “hear” it until it was said by a small pair of lips that had already learned it could be a way to humiliate me.” (462)

Naylor creates a conversational atmosphere where her ideas flow together nicely in a chronological manner. She develops a smooth relationship between her ideas in this way.

What kinds of supporting materials are used?

Naylor uses personal experience as her evidence. She uses a conversational tone that adapts nicely to the audience. I say this because draws the reader in and he or she easily understands and accepts her experience. Naylor uses her experience to exemplify her point and to offer validity. One is drawn in by her experience as a young girl, and her evolution of understanding. Naylor makes her audience think about what it would be like to really “hear” a word for the first time, to look back and realize you had heard the word many times in a different context.

What strategies are used?

The language used by Naylor is common, as she doesn’t use large words one has to look up to understand. She writes in low style which is effective for her argument. This use of languages conjures an almost friendly relationship with her audience, like she is sitting down with you over a cup of coffee discussing how context can change your understanding of a word. She is sharing a part of her life and experience with the audience in order to shed light on her argument.

Naylor, Gloria. “Nigger: The Meaning of a Word” Ed. Goshgarian, Gary. Exploring Language. Ninth Edition. Toronto: Longman, 2001. Pages 460-462