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Contents
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Each Aha! is an example of how to get students into a
certain content area by giving them an unusual insight into the essense
of that content.
The Setup
Students enjoy seeing adults in general and teachers in particular
be wrong. Often, by conspiring with them against those evil others,
you can gain their support and reduce barriers into topics that they don't
like...grammar, for example. Since their entire lives they have heard
that double negatives are wrong, now's a chance to show them another side
to the issue.
Start by asking the question: are double negatives wrong?
You will undoubtedly get a quick response ó Yes! ó for despite the fact
that they like seeing us wrong, they also have an amazing capacity for
believing what we say (kind of sobering, isn't it?) Now narrow your
eyes and ask this: Always?
Go to the board and write the following sentence: "It's
not uncommon to see double negatives used correctly in English."
Ask students to spot the two negatives in the sentence.
They should have little trouble finding the Not and the Un. Now ask
them: is this sentence grammatically correct?
After allowing for some debate about that, explain to them
that most teachers teach that double negatives are acceptable IF they obey
a kind of mathematical logic: two negatives equals a positive.
Now ask them to examine the sentence again: is it a positive result or
a negative one? They will eventually agree that the resultant meaning
of the sentence is positive because it means that it is somewhat common
to have double negatives. Thus, this sentence would be deemed correct
by English teachers.
Now ask the students to come up with a sentence similar to
this one which has two negative elements but a positive meaning.
Suggest they use a popular sports figure like Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods
in their sentence. Some possible examples: It's not unlikely
that Michael Jordan will win the MVP again. It's not unusual to see
Tiger Woods birdie a hole.
Aha!
Say to your students, "It appears those teachers were right
all along." Lean conspiratorially close and say, "Or were they?"
Write this sentence on the board:
"I don't need no lip outta you."
Ask them: how many negatives? (Two: n't and no.)
Ask: is the result positive or negative (negative). Ask:
is this sentence mathematically correct? (No. Two negatives here still
equals negative.) Ask: so should you correct the speaker's English?
(Only if you're quite brave.)
Time for some information: Chaucer, the great English
writer of the Middle English period, used not only double negatives, but
even a triple negative on occasion and none of them being mathematically
correct. How come he was able to get away with it? The answer
is not going to make your English teacher happy. In its purist sense,
English is a language of emphasis. We use adverbs to intensify our
verbs (I was extremely angry) and we use double negatives to intensify
our negatives. There is something that is clear and direct in saying,
"I don't need no lip outta you" and one thing is sure, nobody ever mistakes
this for its mathematical equivalent.
So, should students be allowed to use double negatives?
Only in settings where it's allowed. That's the bottom line rule.
If your English teacher doesn't allow them, then all the logic or lack
of if in the world won't win your case. So don't use them around
her. However, in areas of life where they are appropriate, it's powerful
and invigorating to use them. The correct response to "I don't need
no lip outta you":
"And you ain't gonna get none, neither."
You've one-upped him with a triple negative.
Enrichment
1. Questions asked in the negative cause some trouble
in English. For instance, if you ask, "Aren't you tired" how should
you answer if you are NOT tired? Logically, you should say "Yes"
meaning, "Yes, I am not tired." But if you say yes, everyone will
think you are tired. The best approach is to not ask questions in
the negative. However, when one does, respond simply as if the negative
doesn't exist. This is usually what is expected.
2. Point out the difference between Standard and Nonstandard
English. Explain that each have their place and that the truly expert
communicators can move fluently back and forth between the two, knowing
when one is appropriate and the other is not.
Followup
Ask students to write 5 sentences using double negatives
with at least two of them being acceptable in Standard English. Have
students trade papers and underline the negative elements as well as declare
them acceptable or not. Students should then explain their answers
to each other and bring any debateable situations to the teacher who may
then possibly use that as an example to the whole class.
Activity summary:
1. Lead the class through questions and answers
to see that some double negatives are appropriate in all situations because
they are mathematically correct.
2. Show them examples of double negatives that
are not mathematically correct but instead are intensity-correct.
3. Demonstrate the problem with negatively-worded
questions.
4. Explain the distinction between Standard and
Nonstandard English.
5. Have students develop example sentences.
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Aha!
D. Comedy
Do This
Don't Do
Editor
I Want You
Logic
Mr. Schnuck
Other Stuff
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