Thursday, April 30, 2009
Comment...
I just left a comment on the blog Classics v. Twilight. I think this is an interesting debate in light of the recent popularity of Twilight. I personally, still think the classics are more important than Twilight, but y'all should check it out!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
HW 4/22: My Argument
Michelle Massaro
English 1302: Essay 3
4/22/08
New Endangered Species: The Bookworm
What happened to the bookworm? The kid who used to sit in the corner with their nose so far up a book, that no distraction could tear them away from the page. It seems to me that as technology changes so do the interests of young people. What once was popular, suddenly becomes passé and the amount of time spent on a once exciting leisure activity rapidly decreases. Reading books has suffered this same fate. The Internet stimulates the youth with different images, ideas, casual language and most importantly, convenience. Today, most adolescents cringe at thought of having to open a book and stare at the monotonous pages. The truth is that books encourage people to expand their thinking critically and creatively in ways the Internet cannot. By critical thinking, I mean having the ability to think analytically about subjects, understand concepts fully and relate topics and ideas to our lives. While books can not compete with the popularity of online reading, in reality, they are necessary in developing an intellectual generation.
One way books encourage creative and critical thought is by their tangible nature. The physical aspect of books requires the use of senses and skills that the Internet does not. In my own personal experience, I find reading a physical, or as many refer to as “hard-copy,” necessary in understanding a subject fully and with clarity. Reading a book allows individuals to see the outline of an argument more clearly. The physical sight of the page, allows readers to understand the flow of the writer’s case and connect paragraphs with one another. In talking about today’s youth, Bauerlein comments “they recognize better the pacing of stories, and the form of arguments, an aptitude that doesn’t develop as effectively through other media” (59). The organization of books allows readers to better understand the reasoning and form of an author’s claim, which in turn helps in the future, when occupational writing skills are necessary. Furthermore, the more senses a person uses when reading, the greater ability they have to internalize material. By senses, I meaning the physical touch a piece of paper or reading out loud. In my own personal experience last semester, my English teacher, Professor Hopper, recommended that we place our finger along each sentence as we read, while speaking aloud. The more senses used, the more opportunity my brain had to commit the material to memory. A computer screen can not offer this same connection to a piece of literature. Even “researchers suggest that the most valuable aspect of the read-aloud activity is that it gives children experience with decontextualized language, requiring them to make sense of ideas that are about something beyond the here and now” (Beck and McKeown, 10). Online reading, just isn’t comparable to the connection that physical books provide.
Additionally, books are organized more formally than online reading, which forces people to learn new vocabulary, sentence structures and writing skills. Lee Siegel points out that one of the great opportunities the Internet provides is this chance for egalitarianism. While this may be great for individuals who want to have a voice online, in truth the Internet has become a mish-mash of casual language and typographical errors. Books use formal language, which expands people’s vocabulary, something the Internet does not. Bauerlein found that teens that read “have a larger vocabulary, which means they don’t stumble with more difficult texts” (59). Furthermore, in a study done by Beck and MeKeown, which measured word recognition in children, teachers reported “that often in story reading children recognized and remarked on the use a word that they had learned from an earlier story” (18). This formal language and nature of books not only helps with the creation of an extensive vocabulary, but it aids people in developing their own writing skills.
“A 2004 study from the National Commission on Writing surveyed business leaders and found that a significant portion of them complain of serious reading and writing problems among new employees, forcing corporate America to spend approximately $3.1 billion annually on in-house literacy tutoring.” (Bauerlein 68-69)
If this is true along with the established decrease in reading, then it is necessary we revive books and teach people to write like the classics and professionals, not the generation of amateur bloggers. In the NEA annual report, the found that “among high school graduates, ‘writing in English’, was the most commonly reported basic skill deficiency reported by employers (72%)” (79-80). Writing is basic skill and requirement for most jobs. The NEA report continues on to comment that those who do not possess this skill, are put at a disadvantage and have low chance of success in the working world. While the Internet might be a great place to socialize, it has become a proponent of slang. LOL, BRB, TTYL, LMAO, G2G, don’t you speak abbrevs? In reality, these terms can not be used in formally writing, let along the majority of jobs. Sticking to reading books, really seems like the best option.
Outline of Claim:
Claim: Books encourage people to expand their thinking critically and creatively in ways the Internet cannot.
My Definition of Critical Thinking- thinking analytically about subjects, understanding concepts fully and relating topics and ideas to your life
Reason 1 – The physical nature of books requires the use of senses and skills that the Internet does not.
Evidence 1: Reading a book allows you to see the outline of an argument
“They recognize better the pacing of stories, and the form of arguments, an aptitude that doesn’t develop as effectively through other media” (Bauerlein, 59)
Evidence 2: The more senses you use (touching, repeating out loud), the greater ability you have to internalize material
“Researchers suggest that the most valuable aspect of the read-aloud activity is that it gives children experience with decontextualized language, requiring them to make sense of ideas that are about something beyond the here and now.” (Beck and McKeown, 10)
Reason 2- Books are organized more formally than online reading, which forces people to learn new vocabularly, sentence structures and writing skills.
Evidence: Books use formal language, which expands people’s vocabularly
“They have a larger vocabulary, which means they don’t stumble with more difficult texts.” (Bauerlein, 59)
“We observes and the teachers reported that often in story reading children recognized and remarked on the use of a word that they had learned from an earlier story.” (Beck and Mekeown, 18)
Evidence: Books use formal language and organization that helps people develop their own writing skills (Companies have to hire people to teach employees how to write)
“A 2004 study form the National Commission on Writing surveyed business leaders and found that a significant portion of them complain of serious reading and writing problems among new employees, forcing corporate America to spend approximately $3.1 billion annually on in-house literacy tutoring.” (Bauerlein 68-69)
“Among high school graduates, ‘writing in English’, was the most commonly reported basic skill deficiency reported by employers (72%)” (NEA Report, 79-80)
Reason 3- Books force readers to create mental images, sounds and effects, which the Internet does not
Evidence: Books allow you to get inside the authors mind (ex, how books are always better than movies)
Evidence: Seeing the authors work, encourages development of individual writing style, and creative expression
Reason 4- Books force readers to apply lessons to their lives, rather than quick solutions that come from online sources.
Evidence: Books in historical contexts can teach children lessons, that blogs cannot. Even books written in today’s culture have intellectual benefits
“Adolescents today have the same feelings and experiences—depression, abuse, uncertainty and they don’t have to be geniuses like Mill and Du Bois to profit from books” (Bauerlein 58)
Evidence: Books encourage individuals to develop ideas as they read along and solve problems themselves, whereas blogs and websites answer specific issues with answers that may or may not be relevant (ex seeking enlightenment through a classic text, or seeking answers through a self-help site)
English 1302: Essay 3
4/22/08
New Endangered Species: The Bookworm
What happened to the bookworm? The kid who used to sit in the corner with their nose so far up a book, that no distraction could tear them away from the page. It seems to me that as technology changes so do the interests of young people. What once was popular, suddenly becomes passé and the amount of time spent on a once exciting leisure activity rapidly decreases. Reading books has suffered this same fate. The Internet stimulates the youth with different images, ideas, casual language and most importantly, convenience. Today, most adolescents cringe at thought of having to open a book and stare at the monotonous pages. The truth is that books encourage people to expand their thinking critically and creatively in ways the Internet cannot. By critical thinking, I mean having the ability to think analytically about subjects, understand concepts fully and relate topics and ideas to our lives. While books can not compete with the popularity of online reading, in reality, they are necessary in developing an intellectual generation.
One way books encourage creative and critical thought is by their tangible nature. The physical aspect of books requires the use of senses and skills that the Internet does not. In my own personal experience, I find reading a physical, or as many refer to as “hard-copy,” necessary in understanding a subject fully and with clarity. Reading a book allows individuals to see the outline of an argument more clearly. The physical sight of the page, allows readers to understand the flow of the writer’s case and connect paragraphs with one another. In talking about today’s youth, Bauerlein comments “they recognize better the pacing of stories, and the form of arguments, an aptitude that doesn’t develop as effectively through other media” (59). The organization of books allows readers to better understand the reasoning and form of an author’s claim, which in turn helps in the future, when occupational writing skills are necessary. Furthermore, the more senses a person uses when reading, the greater ability they have to internalize material. By senses, I meaning the physical touch a piece of paper or reading out loud. In my own personal experience last semester, my English teacher, Professor Hopper, recommended that we place our finger along each sentence as we read, while speaking aloud. The more senses used, the more opportunity my brain had to commit the material to memory. A computer screen can not offer this same connection to a piece of literature. Even “researchers suggest that the most valuable aspect of the read-aloud activity is that it gives children experience with decontextualized language, requiring them to make sense of ideas that are about something beyond the here and now” (Beck and McKeown, 10). Online reading, just isn’t comparable to the connection that physical books provide.
Additionally, books are organized more formally than online reading, which forces people to learn new vocabulary, sentence structures and writing skills. Lee Siegel points out that one of the great opportunities the Internet provides is this chance for egalitarianism. While this may be great for individuals who want to have a voice online, in truth the Internet has become a mish-mash of casual language and typographical errors. Books use formal language, which expands people’s vocabulary, something the Internet does not. Bauerlein found that teens that read “have a larger vocabulary, which means they don’t stumble with more difficult texts” (59). Furthermore, in a study done by Beck and MeKeown, which measured word recognition in children, teachers reported “that often in story reading children recognized and remarked on the use a word that they had learned from an earlier story” (18). This formal language and nature of books not only helps with the creation of an extensive vocabulary, but it aids people in developing their own writing skills.
“A 2004 study from the National Commission on Writing surveyed business leaders and found that a significant portion of them complain of serious reading and writing problems among new employees, forcing corporate America to spend approximately $3.1 billion annually on in-house literacy tutoring.” (Bauerlein 68-69)
If this is true along with the established decrease in reading, then it is necessary we revive books and teach people to write like the classics and professionals, not the generation of amateur bloggers. In the NEA annual report, the found that “among high school graduates, ‘writing in English’, was the most commonly reported basic skill deficiency reported by employers (72%)” (79-80). Writing is basic skill and requirement for most jobs. The NEA report continues on to comment that those who do not possess this skill, are put at a disadvantage and have low chance of success in the working world. While the Internet might be a great place to socialize, it has become a proponent of slang. LOL, BRB, TTYL, LMAO, G2G, don’t you speak abbrevs? In reality, these terms can not be used in formally writing, let along the majority of jobs. Sticking to reading books, really seems like the best option.
Outline of Claim:
Claim: Books encourage people to expand their thinking critically and creatively in ways the Internet cannot.
My Definition of Critical Thinking- thinking analytically about subjects, understanding concepts fully and relating topics and ideas to your life
Reason 1 – The physical nature of books requires the use of senses and skills that the Internet does not.
Evidence 1: Reading a book allows you to see the outline of an argument
“They recognize better the pacing of stories, and the form of arguments, an aptitude that doesn’t develop as effectively through other media” (Bauerlein, 59)
Evidence 2: The more senses you use (touching, repeating out loud), the greater ability you have to internalize material
“Researchers suggest that the most valuable aspect of the read-aloud activity is that it gives children experience with decontextualized language, requiring them to make sense of ideas that are about something beyond the here and now.” (Beck and McKeown, 10)
Reason 2- Books are organized more formally than online reading, which forces people to learn new vocabularly, sentence structures and writing skills.
Evidence: Books use formal language, which expands people’s vocabularly
“They have a larger vocabulary, which means they don’t stumble with more difficult texts.” (Bauerlein, 59)
“We observes and the teachers reported that often in story reading children recognized and remarked on the use of a word that they had learned from an earlier story.” (Beck and Mekeown, 18)
Evidence: Books use formal language and organization that helps people develop their own writing skills (Companies have to hire people to teach employees how to write)
“A 2004 study form the National Commission on Writing surveyed business leaders and found that a significant portion of them complain of serious reading and writing problems among new employees, forcing corporate America to spend approximately $3.1 billion annually on in-house literacy tutoring.” (Bauerlein 68-69)
“Among high school graduates, ‘writing in English’, was the most commonly reported basic skill deficiency reported by employers (72%)” (NEA Report, 79-80)
Reason 3- Books force readers to create mental images, sounds and effects, which the Internet does not
Evidence: Books allow you to get inside the authors mind (ex, how books are always better than movies)
Evidence: Seeing the authors work, encourages development of individual writing style, and creative expression
Reason 4- Books force readers to apply lessons to their lives, rather than quick solutions that come from online sources.
Evidence: Books in historical contexts can teach children lessons, that blogs cannot. Even books written in today’s culture have intellectual benefits
“Adolescents today have the same feelings and experiences—depression, abuse, uncertainty and they don’t have to be geniuses like Mill and Du Bois to profit from books” (Bauerlein 58)
Evidence: Books encourage individuals to develop ideas as they read along and solve problems themselves, whereas blogs and websites answer specific issues with answers that may or may not be relevant (ex seeking enlightenment through a classic text, or seeking answers through a self-help site)
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Comment...
After reading a chapter in Bauerlein's book The Dumbest Generation, I left a comment on cec's post, "You know, the guy who was great." I responded to Claire's question of what teachers can do to make reading more interesting. I think that they should make a better effort to apply historical books to modern day lives. What do you think? Check it out!
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