Totally Like Whatever You Know Summary

Totally like whatever, you know? Analysis

The writer, Taylor Mali, wrote the poem “Totally like whatever, you know?” to convey the issue that todays youth no longer display the correct form of diction when speaking. She is directing this piece towards the young people of today, in hopes of altering our way of conversation. The poem displays cultural references by comparing the diction of adults to todays youth. I feel that this piece properly represents todays youth by challenging us to be more literate. In todays society, young people are taught that what is on the outside matters more than what is on the inside. Mali addresses this idea that “it has somehow become uncool/ to sound like you know what you’re talking about.”(2-3) In the …show more content…
With the new advances in technology, it is easier to instant message someone and get a reply in seconds, than it is to have a conversation over the phone. The poem says, “And so actually our disarticulation . . . ness / is just a clever sort of . . . thing / to disguise the fact that we’ve become the most aggressively inarticulate generation” (27-30) A study shows that “Americans ages 18-29 send and receive an average of nearly 88 text messages per day, compared to 17 phone calls.” (Kluger) Teens today are losing valuable conversation skills that is acquired by face to face interaction. “I challenge you: To speak with conviction. To say what you believe in a manner that bespeaks the determination with which you believe it.” We need to put technology aside and open up a discussion that challenges our convictions and opens our minds to new ideas. With everything going on in todays society, such as the presidential election, terrorism, and strained race relations, it is important to have your own opinion and be able to clearly articulate your personal views. Go out on a limb, take a chance, be a leader not a follower, and “like, totally” Be