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__Article 1__
__**From Orality to Writing: African Women Writers and the (Re)Inscription of Womanhood** by: Obioma Nnaemeka__ The article, “From Orality to Writing: African Women Writers and the (Re) Inscription of Womanhood” expressed the African oral traditions. It was described in the article that African women were active and powerful in oral traditions. In addition, they used their beliefs, cultural ideals, and personal history to incorporate women centered perspectives. The African women used songs as a form of social control. However, Sojourner Truth used speech to express herself. Also, in the article there was an examination of why African women write the way they write. Location, gender realities, and cultural boundaries influence the writer to open up and break their silence. In “The Bluest Eye”, Pecola was surrounded by the implicit messages that white individuals were superior. Pecola connected having blue eyes to being loved and respected. Toni Morrison wanted to open up and allow the reader to understand the reality of racial superiority. Furthermore, the article focused on how African women writers are able to take their knowledge of folk tales, stories, and songs to incorporate orality in writing.

**__Article 2__**
__**On the Theoretical Foundations of Orality and Literacy** by: Emevwo Biakolo__ The article, “On the Theoretical Foundations of Orality and Literacy” explored oral and written communication. Walter Ong looked at how different oral cultures organize knowledge and transmit information. The article explained that orality is a cultural expression of values. It was discussed that oral thought is defined by using repetition, patterns, alliterations, and expressions. Also, it was recognized that oral communication uses less lexical choices than written communication. In addition, it was expressed that oral literature is mainly characterized by repetition. Repetition is described as practical and helps the writer organize material. In “The Bluest Eye”, Toni Morrison consistently repeats the Dick and Jane story before each chapter. Morrison repeats the Dick and Jane story to express how African Americans have internalized the values of the white middle class society. Furthermore, the article mainly described the differences between orality and literacy.

__Article 3__
__**An Oral Philosophy of Personhood: Comments on Philosophy and Orality** by: Kwasi Wiredu__ The article, "An Oral Philosophy of Personhood: Comments on Philosophy and Orality" focused on defining oral traditions. It was discussed that an oral tradition is ideas passed from generations by the spoken word. Folk tales, poetry, lyrics, and myths express oral traditions. The article mentioned the use of drum texts. Drum texts are similar to a riddle or paradox. The drummer is usually a public poet who imitates the human voice by using drums. In addition, the article noted that philosophical thinking is influenced by language. Usually, the influence of language on philosophical thinking is based on oral tradition. Furthermore, the article claimed that language sounds that are natural to one language may not be natural to another language. This issue follows the challenges in both written and oral tradition. Finally, this article concentrated on African philosophy and the connection with orality.

Biakolo, Emevwo. "On the Theoretical Foundations of Orality and Literacy." //Research in African Literatures// 30.2 (1999). //EBSCOhost//. Web. 2 Dec. 2009. .
 * __Works Cited__**:

Nnaemeka, Obioma. "From Orality to Writing: African Women Writers and the (Re)Inscription of Womanhood." //Research in African Literatures// 25.4 (1994): 137-54. //EBSCOhost//. Web. 2 Dec. 2009. .

Wierdu, Kwasi. "An Oral Philosophy of Personhood: Comments on Philosophy and Orality." //Research In African Literatures// 40.1 (2009): 8-18. //EBSCOhost//. Web. 2 Dec. 2009. .