Tacit Codes

1. AP Lang 12-13 Tacit Codes

2. An understanding of how to approach less traditional argument. Unless it says “evaluate the pros and cons” you are not judging. Increased comfort with a broader exploration of the topic and its implications—don’t limit yourself to the obvious, but still stay connected and relevant. What you should take away from this prompt:

3. Take your own position. Do not merely reiterate the prompt. Use varied, relevant, specific evidence: “the Bro Code” vs. a particular episode from HIMYM. Paragraph structure: open and close with general claims, not with evidence. Comment on your evidence, generally with more than one sentence. Reiterations:

4. Unexpected evidence Sophisticated organization: a. by example/area b. by idea Style: strong terminal sentences! Clarity. Bigger word ≠ Better Insight, insight, insight. How to jump to the next level:

5. Terminal Sentence: “To know the laws of your nation is to be a good citizen, but to know the laws of your fellow man is to be their friend.” (Alex Roesch) “...being one of these intellectuals, I first need to demonstrate my knowledge and now need to maintain this image by following specific little rules that give me this position. Also, the glasses help significantly.” (Billy Greer) Samples

6. “Belonging is more than just the understanding of a group’s tacit codes but requires codes that one can appreciate.” OR “Tacit codes are also evident in many films today.” Claims/Topic Sentences

7. “Belonging is more than just the understanding of a group’s tacit codes but requires codes that one can appreciate.” 1984 example “Following rules that one cannot agree with becomes an act not of understanding but of submission. To belong to the group one lives with, one must understand and respect the group’s tacit codes.” (Cameron Carr) Claim and clincher

8. From literature: “Furthermore, the unspoken codes of East Egg in Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby illustrate this idea. Though all of its residents have abundant wealth, they do not brazenly display it. Jay Gatsby, a bootlegger who is looking to fit in with the wealthy, breaks this code by throwing lavish parties where he hopes to encounter Daisy, his former love. Gatsby’s action breach rules and separate him from the East Egg elite. His ultimate relegation to West Egg proves how violating a group’s identifying tacit code can result in castigation. Evidently, following tacit codes is instrumental in belonging when codes define group identity.” Specific evidence

9. Specific and varied evidence Developed, insightful discussion of evidence (argument sandwich: CLAIM – EVIDENCE – CLAIM) STYLE—have fun, let your voice come through. On Monday:

10. Revise the “monster sentence(s) in your essay. They might have: nominalizations, “there is/are,” pronoun inconsistency, wordiness, incorrect punctuation, reliance on “to be” verbs, passive voice Type original and revised sentences. 10 points, writing category. For thursday

11. Let us never speak of tacit codes again.