The Writing Center @ MSU Language Statement
View our Language Statement here.
With our recent publication of our “Language Statement,” here is a list of reference materials. While these resources will introduce you to a few key considerations in terms of language inclusive practices and provide you some strategies for working with writers across all writing levels, this is not an exhaustive list.
We are happy to continue to grow this list with your suggestions. Please email any additional resources to us at writing@msu.edu
Students’ Rights to Their Own Language
Online Resources
- Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC) “Statement on Second Language Writing and Writers”
- Translingual Approaches to Writing and Its Instruction, WPA-CompPile Research Bibliographies: https://wac.colostate.edu/docs/comppile/wpa/TranslingualApproaches.pdf
Journal Articles
- Kinloch, V. (2005). Revisiting the Promise of “Students’ Right to Their Own Language”: Pedagogical Strategies. College Composition and Communication, 57(1), 83-113. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/30037899
- Smitherman, G. (1999). CCCC’s Role in the Struggle for Language Rights. College Composition and Communication,50(3), 349-376. Retrieved from www.jstor.org/stable/358856
Books
- Perryman-Clark, S., Kirkland, D. E., Jackson, A., & Smitherman, G. (2015). Students right to their own language: A critical sourcebook. Boston, MA: Bedford / St Martin’s.
General Inclusive Writing and Assessment Practices
Online Resources
- Harvard University Extension School “Inclusive Writing in Four Easy Steps”
Books
- Inoue, A. B. (2015). Antiracist writing assessment ecologies teaching and assessing writing for a socially just future. Fort Collins, CO: The WAC Clearinghouse.
Gender, Pronoun Usage, and Grammar
Online Resources
For practical resources developed to promote the inclusive use of personal pronouns in the English language, consider visiting the following webpages:
- International Pronouns Day
- IWCA’s position statement of the use of the singular “They”
- Pronouns Matter
- Trans Student Educational Resources (TSER) “Graphics”
- Scott, T. (2013). “Gender Neutral Pronouns: They’re Here, Get Used To Them.” To watch short video.
- The Writing Center at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill “Gender Inclusive Language” Statement
- Middlebury College “Diversity and Inclusivity”
- Hampshire College. “Preferred Gender Pronouns: For Faculty”
Journal Articles
- Harris, C. A., Blencowe, N., & Telem, D. A. (2017). What is in a Pronoun?: Why Gender-fair Language Matters. Annals of surgery, 266(6), 932-933. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5774006/
Ableist Language
Online Resources
- Elainey, A. (2016). “Casual Ableist Language.” To watch, short video
- Manner, D. (2016). “Unboxing Ableism” To watch, short video.
- Cohen-Rottenberg, R. (2018). “10 Answers to Common Questions People Ask When Being Called Out for Using Ableist Language.”
Multilingual/Linguistically Diverse Students and “Other” English(es)
Online Resources
- Writing Across Borders video series.
- The Writing Center at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill “Tips for Teaching Multilingual Students”
- Habib, A., & Mallett, K. (2014). “Principles for Teaching Multilingual Writers.” To watch video.
Journal Articles
- Cushman, E. (2016). Translingual and decolonial approaches to meaning making.College English, 78(3), 234-242. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.msu.edu.proxy1.cl.msu.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.proxy1.cl.msu.edu/docview/1750722334?accountid=12598
Books
- Rickford, John Russell, and Russell John Rickford. Spoken soul: the story of black English. New York, John Wiley and Sons, 2000.
- Smitherman, G. (1996). Talkin and testifyin: The language of Black America. Detroit, MI: Wayne State Univers. Press.
- Smitherman, Geneva. Talkin that talk: language, culture, and education in African America. London, Routledge, 2006.
Writing Center Consultant Specific Resources
- Suhr-Sytsma, M., & Brown, S. (2011). Theory In/To Practice: Addressing the Everyday Language of Oppression in the Writing Center. The Writing Center Journal, 31(2), 13-49. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/43442366
- Monty, R. W. (2016). The writing center as cultural and interdisciplinary contact zone. London: Palgrave Pivot
See Other Writing Center Language Statements
- Grand Valley State “Linguistic Diversity Initiative”
- International Writing Centers Association Diversity Initiative “Position Statement on Racism, Anti Immigration, and Linguistic Intolerance”
- University of Kansas “Diversity Statement”
- University of Washington, Tacoma “Statement on Antiracist and Social Justice Work in the Writing Center”