Assignment 2 Questions
You must choose ONE of the following essay options. It should be 2,500 words long (this is a guideline recommendation) and submitted according to the instructions of your DEI tutor.
1. ‘A person’s gender has a more significant influence on their language use than a person’s social class background.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement? Base your answer on what you have learned about language and gender and language and social class on this module.
2. ‘The most important influence on a person’s language is the nature of the various social networks and communities of practice they belong to’. To what extent do you agree with the statement? Base your answer on what you have learned about social networks and communities of practice on this module.
3. What are the connections between age and language change? Base your answer on what you have learned on this module about age and language change.
4. Write an essay exploring the concept of ‘vernacularization’ (as it is described in the module materials). You should illustrate your essays with examples drawn from either English, or Greek, or both. (Greek examples will need to be glossed/translated.)
5. Write an essay exploring the concept of ‘conversationalization’ (as it is described in the module materials). You should illustrate your essays with examples drawn from either English, or Greek, or both. (Greek examples will need to be glossed/translated.)
6. Write an essay which compares and contrasts First and Second Wave approaches in sociolinguistics. Base your answer on what you have learned on this module.
7. Write an essay which compares and contrasts Second and Third Wave approaches in sociolinguistics. Base your answer on what you have learned on this module.
8. Compare and contrast Greece and the UK as multilingual societies. Base your answer on what you have learned on this module about societal and individual multilingualism.
Essay guidance
See the associated Powerpoint on Teams called ‘Writing and presentation tips for DEI LAC202 assignment 2’.
Essay marking criteria 70%-100% (1st)
•Critical understanding of the question
•Critical engagement with the main relevant issues
•Clarity, coherence, depth and fluency of argument
•Complexity in treatment of topic
•Use of wide range of relevant material
•Correct spelling, punctuation and grammar
•Observation of referencing and bibliographic conventions
•Effective use of critical reading
•Originality of thought
60%-69% (2.1)
•Clear understanding of the question
•Critical engagement with main relevant issues
•Clear and coherent argument
•Some complexity of argument
•Use of wide range of relevant material
•Correct spelling, punctuation and grammar
•Observation of referencing and bibliographic conventions
•Use of critical reading
59%-50% (2.2)
•Understanding of the question
•Identification of the main relevant issues
•Organisation and clarity of argument
•Limited range of material covered
•Some inaccuracy
•Evidence of critical reading
49%-40% (3rd)
•Some understanding of the question
•Some identification of relevant issues
•Lack of clear and consistent argument
•Limited range of material covered
•Some inaccuracy
•Little evidence of critical reading
39%-10% (Fail)
•Failure to show understanding of the question
•Unintelligibility of argument
•Gross inconsistency of argument
•Failure to identify main relevant material
•Gross inaccuracy
•Little or no evidence of critical reading
0% (Fail) Plagiarism and/or collusion
