Redefining Intellectualism: Beyond Academic Scores

861 Words2 Pages

Finding Real Intellectualism
A person will be told once in their lives that the smartest student is the one who has straight A’s in all his or her classes. Now a day, however, the smartest student can be textbook savvy, but have a hard time thinking critically, or debating about a situation at work or school. In “Hidden Intellectualism” by Gerald Graff, the author suggests that intellectualism should be measured by how a person is able to bring thoughtful questions about any topic, regardless of how simple or difficult it is. In order to portray this, the author effectively appeals to the audience about his topic by first, using his personal experience; secondly, advocating for a different approach to be taken in the classroom; and lastly, …show more content…

In a typical class, the teacher lectures on a book written years ago and expects the students to dissect and analyze it with ease. Graff takes a different approach. He suggests that professors should start encouraging students to analyze basic and simple literature critically (400). The author understands that making students analyze hard prose will only frustrate them and get them to give up. This method only discourages learning as in the long run, the student will not try anymore. Graff’s method will teach the student that real intellectualism does not mean that books have to be involved. Real intellectualism is just analyzing literature critically (400). Taking a step further, even parents at home can use this type of thinking for their children. Nothing frustrates more than a child giving up or feeling dumb because he or she does not understand something. A parent may then try to figure out the child’s true potential in a specific area that is not school. Some children are great at music, fashion, or even sports. The parent may then teach the child how to debate and think critically about passionate subject and then relate it back to school. The author advocated for a simple approach to be taken in the classroom and can be applied at home. Although this is true, Graff wrote this article the way he did in order to stress out his …show more content…

If one were to analyze this essay, they one is to find out that it is written the way he advocates teachers to teach. Most of this essay is written in a story context, but it is meant to be analyzed. Once the reader analyzes the essay, the essay being a simple one, he or she will have involuntarily tested out Graff’s suggestion stated in the last paragraph. In writing this essay, Graff also assumes that the reader will now try to analyze everything they read in their everyday lives, not just what they read at school. This advocates the thought of real intellectualism because the reader is able apply this many things like the news, Facebook, homework, and any other reading. In doing so, the author actively promotes his thinking of finding real intelligence (400). Graff uses his audience in order to promote his thinking of real

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