This article shows how students confront offensive language head-on by researching its history and reconsidering its use in contemporary conversation. It describes an assignment in which students study the histories and social reception of words (in some cases considered obscenities) used to insult people of various social categories. Students…

Presents a case for eliminating "whom" from standard English usage, with examples of why the use of "whom" brings not only needless worry but overzealousness in its applications. (RL)

Uses examples from advertisements to support the claim that usage opinions have a minimal influence on actual usage, and formulates a new law of usage, stating that when a language change occurs, some people will adopt it, some will oppose it, and most will ignore it. (NH)

Describes the work experience of an English teacher as a writer/editor in a large manufacturing company and her realization that good writing depends on purpose and audience. (CRH)

Describes how many of the phrasings attacked by cliche-hunters as trite, worn-out, or unoriginal can be legitimately defended on other grounds, by the criteria of speed and clarity, familiarity, social bonding, and personal delight. (CRH)

Advocates abandoning the all too common practice of requiring the mastery of standard English as a prerequisite for learning. (JT)

This article focuses on the particular challenges, choices, and celebrations relevant to teaching in an urban setting. The speech of African American students is described as rich and reflective of the African American oral tradition. The article also discusses the meaning, rules and the evolution of African American English.

Reports the paucity of public knowledge and concern about the English language and suggests that English teachers might do something to remedy this situation. (JLZ)