Write an essay about someone you know who fits into one of William Golding’s three grades of thinking. You may choose someone you are close to (a friend or a family member), someone you acquainted with (for instance, your minister, a teacher, someone in your neighborhood) or someone who is well-known, such as a politician or a celebrity. You may not write about yourself.
Using at least two of Deborah Tannen’s categories from “But What Do You Mean” (391), analyze the speaking styles of two people you know, male and female. The two people may be a couple, or they may be colleagues, or they may not know each other at all, but you should use specific examples of their speech that either confirm or disprove Tannen’s general classifications. Your paper should be clear, coherent, and focused. Not only should you give examples, but you should also discuss them, explaining why they are significant and relevant to your overall thesis.