“I Said What I Said”—Black Women and Argumentative Politeness Norms

This paper seeks to complicate two primary norms within argumentation theory: 1) engaging with one’s interlocutors in a ‘pleasant’ tone and 2) speaking directly target audience/interlocutor. Moreover, I urge theorists explore various cultures’ argumentative practices when attempting formulate more universal theories regarding argumentation. Ultimately, aim show that the previously mentioned obscure misrepresent many African American Vernacular English—or Ebonics, specifically art of signifying.