Prompt 3 - The Sonnet

     Foster in chapter four explains his preference with the sonnet and reveals that this preference comes from the poem's form. The poem has a sort of style - it is fourteen lines and is also shaped like a square. This provides it with a sort of identity. Foster believes the study of the sonnet is critical as there is so much to be taken from the short fourteen line poems. He writes that the poem never breaks out of its boundaries but instead uses the parameters to carry meaning. Each sonnet typically consists of two sentences, and therefore much must be said in each line to be effective.The structure impacts the effect as the poet must tinker with the poem until it is complete, perfecting each line to maintain flow and consistency. Foster continues that much of the beauty behind these poems comes from their length. He makes reference to thilose phopher Blaise Pascal who "apologized for writing a long letter," because he lacked the time to write a shorter letter. In this reference Foster is claiming that sonnets take longer than other sorts of poems as they must be crafted with the utmost detail. 

     I have read a few sonnets in my poetry units throughout school, but i found my favorite last year in AP english analyzing rhetoric. My favorite is "Sonnet 25" by none other than William Shakespeare - the man all sonnets, and all other literary works, derive from, according to Foster. I like this sonnet because it writes on the idea that man will never find approval in his works as he is sure to falter eventually. Shakespeare writes "After a thousand victories once foil'd, Is from the book of honor razed quite, and all the rest forgot for which he toil'd". Here Shakespeare claims that even a thousand victories one loss will this valor. 

Prompt 4 - King Solomon's Truth

     Prior to reading "How to Read Literature Like a Professor" I would have never believed that each piece of writing is central to one story but now my opinion has changed. I would agree with both King Solomon and Foster in this regard. I have learned from this book how to analyze pattern and style in writing, and now that I can do this I realize the connections in nearly every story I have ever read. Foster in this idea is not claiming that every piece of writing is the same, or even that all writing encompasses the same ideas. Rather, he is saying that all writing is alive - literature as a whole lives which means it is one huge story that never ends. Every work is a piece of the story. When a reader accepts this idea, he or she realizes how it enriches both reading and writing. This concept connects all works and allows a reader to evaluate previous readings and apply them to current readings. The reading experience is heightened as the reader can find patterns from book to book. For example, in chapter ten I read about the symbolism of rain and snow, and I made a connection to the Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Foster wrote on how rain falls from the sky in a clean and beautiful manner only to create mud when it lands. In the Book Thief, Max dances outside in a bomb raid because he is at peace. Bombs fly towards the ground in a spectacular show of light only to leave destruction upon impact. I made this connection through patterns that I found not in two stories, but in one - literature. 

Prompt 2-Rereading

When I was younger I always thought that rereading was pointless. I felt like I had already read the book and knew what is was about, therefore, I did not need to read the book again. I also was not much of a reader back then, so I probably did not have a great deal of books to reread. Although, throughout my years in school my opinion of rereading has changed. I used to only think that rereading was necessary if I did not comprehend what I was reading, but now I think rereading is something all readers should do. After reading Foster’s, How to Read Literature Like a Professor, it made me want to go reread some novels or even re-watch some movies, because now I am able read and watch works with a different set of eyes that will be able to recognize the meaning of the weather or heart disease or biblical references or different symbols. For example, I read Where the Red Fern Grows  in the fifth grade and back then I was just reading for plot. Now I would like to reread that book, except this time with an analytical eye. Sometimes I even find myself analyzing movies now after reading Foster’s book. I had gone to see Jurassic World this weekend and two of the main characters had to jump in a river to escape the dinosaur. This brought my mind back to Foster’s book where he talks about water and rebirth. I started thinking, “what if those characters jumped in scared and afraid but came out bold and brave.” I thought it is kind of like they were reborn, but I do not know if that exactly counts since they did not almost die by drowning, as Foster suggested. Anyways, I believe rereading is a valuable skill because one will never have the same mindset when they read the same book at different times in their lives. Therefore, new ideas about the book could form because the reader constantly has new ideas and information entering their head. I believe I value rereading more as I grow older.  I do find that as a student I do not have much time to reread, but there are a few books I would like to read again to see if I am able to create new thoughts and understandings from reading the books again. I suppose those books will merely have to wait until I can find the time to pick them back up again. 

Prompt 4-One Big Story

In Thomas C. Foster’s book How to Read Literature Like a Professor, he discusses the idea that all “writing and telling come from one big story.” I have always viewed pieces of work as lacking originality. They are original in the sense that two different authors cannot write the same, exact story with the same, exact words. They are not original, however, because they all incorporate elements or ideas from other stories or writings, whether the author is aware of it or not. Foster, though, explored a different route of how all pieces of writing are connected, and I thought it was interesting because I have never considered all writing as “one big story,” as Foster does.

I do agree with Foster’s idea that all writings are formed from a single story and that in a way everything is connected. In his chapter that deals with this idea, he considers what this “one big story” is about, and at first he says nothing, but then he concludes it is about everything. It was this section of the chapter that I started to believe his argument and agree with it. I began to realize that there are millions of different pieces of work that are all intertwined by the same theme or the same plot or the same type of characters, which authors take and relate to things we, as readers, can relate to. I would say that this “one big story” that all writing comes from is a mixture of other works but life, as well, because life is something all readers and writers can relate to.

Making a piece of writing relatable to other writings or daily life enriches our reading experiences. When an author pulls ideas from other texts this creates intertextuality within their writing. Intertextuality deepens a piece of work because it shows how two different texts can be connected by a certain theme or character traits. It makes reading more enjoyable for the readers because it is like they get to play connect the dots while reading. I know when I read The Iliad this year I saw many similarities between it and The Aeneid, which made reading The Iliad much more interesting. I do see how all writing comes from one big story and how that impacts a reader's experience. As Foster would say, “everything is connected.”

Prompt #2- Rereading

Rereading and I have a rocky relationship. I doubt that rereading and I will ever get along as well as we should, but I’m willing to try. I’ve gotten better at rereading and proofreading my own work (which took a long time but that’s a different story), but rereading pieces of writing that I read isn’t exactly my favorite activity.

I love reading. I love the magic of opening a book and finishing it, taking in all of the words and characters at face value. It feels like a journey, as cliche as that sounds. A journey isn’t as fun if you take it again. For example, let’s say I hypothetically go to Trantor with Isaac Asimov and his protagonist Hari Seldon. We meet some robots, we solve some equations, we save humanity. It’s enlightening and I learn a lot. When I return to earth, I board the ship again, and we do the exact same journey. It’s essentially Groundhog Day. What fun is a journey the second time around? Rereading large parts of a novel bores me to tears. This, of course, is just my idealistic teenage girl take on the matter. Rereading kills the magic in pleasure reading for me. While that seems juvenile, it’s the truth.

Thomas C. Foster acknowledges the importance of rereading in the introduction of How to Read Literature Like a Professor more so than anywhere else in the book. He doesn’t come out and say it, but he reiterates the fact that practice makes perfect when it comes to analyzing literature. This idea goes back to rereading- the more I reread, the better I’ll be able to analyze it.

Rereading is no doubt incredibly important. When I read a text from before the 20th century, I find myself rereading multiple sentences and paragraphs in order to create a solid understanding. Rereading is necessary when I don’t understand the language, syntax, or plot. Rereading is great when clarity is needed. It’s a skill I need to learn to employ in other areas besides clarifying, but that’s another reason why I’m taking this class. I feel that it would be helpful to reread large pieces of writing through an analytical eye rather than for my enjoyment. Hopefully, I become more comfortable with this skill as the year continues.

How to Read Literature Like a Professor

Blog Prompts

Prompt 1 What is literacy? What does it mean to be a literate person? How does one become literate? What does a literate person do, know, think? Prompt 2 Are you normally a rereader? Is rereading only for those who don't understand the text on the first reading? What is your experience with rereading and its importance? Prompt 3 The sonnet form has been prized since the English Renaissance. Why does Foster consider its study critical to the study of poetry? How does the structure impact its effect? What is your familiarity with sonnets? Do you have a favorite? Why?

Prompt 4

King Solomon wrote, "There is nothing new under the sun." Foster applies this precept to his contention that all "writing and telling belong to one big story." Do you agree? How does this idea add to understanding and the richness of the reading experience?

 Prompt 5

Discuss the significance of weather in text beyond its relationship to setting. Consider how weather is used to influence the other elements of fiction. What are some examples of the importance of weather in literature you have read?

	Prompt 6 Where or how does ambiguity come into play in a reader's experience? Is ambiguity a roadblock to understanding or appreciating a text? Are the only satisfying outcomes definite? Discuss your thoughts.

Prompt 7

What makes a character unique? Foster says in terms of character that "difference...is rich with possibilities." What traits make a character remarkable? His/her importance to the other literary elements of the text? Relateability for the reader? Heroic attributes? Dastardly deeds? Consider memorable characters in your reading experiences. Why are they worthy of discussion?

BLOG REQUIREMENT CLARIFICATION

Dear Students:

We apologize for the confusion on the blog assignment--your Syllabus says one thing and the Blog indicates another.  During our lunch meeting last week we discussed this.  Let's go with what the written syllabus says:  TWO POSTS (250 WORDS) AND 4 COMMENTS (100 WORDS).  The posts are responses to the prompts themselves, and the comments are on four different student/peer posts.  Please remember that the indicated word count is the MINIMUM!  You should certainly feel free to do more! 

I will also post all of the prompts.  Our goal is for you to read the whole book and then respond to the prompts so that you have the entire book under your belt to draw upon as you comment on individual prompts and student comments.  Your goal within the responses is the PROVE that you have read and understood the Foster book.  Be sure that you are directly referencing the text itself within your discussion.  These should not be simply personal responses detached from the text.

Happy reading and happy posting!!!
Mrs. Mac and Mrs. Leonhart

Prompt 1- Literacy

Merriam-Webster's online dictionary simply defines the word "literacy" as "the ability to read and write". This definition isn't good enough for two reasons: 1) it's not complex enough, and 2) I'm told that I have a 250 word requirement for this blog.  Literacy is more about comprehending than it is reading and writing. One part of How to Read Literature Like a Professor that stuck with me in particular is during the introduction of the book, when Foster refers to literary analysis as reading through "glasses". These glasses represent how readers think when they read literature, but it's not as simple as picking up a pair of eye-wear.

In order to be literate, you first need to know how to read. That part is easy, though. To be literate doesn’t mean being able to read a sentence and make sense of it, (though that is step one), it’s being able read between the lines and see the bigger picture. It takes higher-level thinking to be literate. One must be able to assess the context of the piece being studied, the purpose in it, and the inspiration behind it. Not only that, but literacy requires more abstract thinking as well. Foster goes into a few of these literary elements throughout his book: Motifs, symbols, themes, allegories, plot rhythms, and many more. The entire book goes into multiple rules, codes, and patterns throughout classic American literature, which is also important to keep in mind. Literary patterns (such as the concept that meals always represent friendship between the characters) are just another layer on top of the huge literacy cake. There are so many facets to being literate, and that's why it's fascinating. Literacy is essentially developing better comprehension of a piece for yourself to analyze. It’s all about clarity.

The second part of defining literacy revolves around writing. Fully understanding a difficult text is one thing but being able to convey your own ideas in a cohesive fashion is a whole other situation. Once one knows how to read, analyze, and understand other people’s writing to an extent, they can use all that they know to write their own ideas and stories. There’s never been a good writer who isn’t also a voracious reader, so the two go hand-in hand.

Literacy is so much more than being able to read. Literacy is being engaged with words, understanding why they’re there, and being able to step into the metaphorical world of literature and fully comprehend all that it consists of. Literacy is perhaps the most important component of reading and writing. It requires an intellectual mind, patience, and some out-of-the-box creative thinking.

Prompt 2-Re-reading

          I do not re-read as much as I would like. While re-reading everything at least once sounds ideal, I do not make the attempt I should. I believe re-reading is a good thing, and everyone should try to read every book or any other text they come by more than once. Re-reading is a tool that can help one with confusion on the text but is not limited to just that; it can be for enjoyment, as well. Although most teenagers are against re-reading for pleasure there may be few out there who enjoy it.

          By reading something more than once it allows a person to catch something that they may have not noticed the first time, giving them a better understanding of the text. Re-reading allows for a reader to think deeper than just the main idea of the story. I have always thought re-reading was important. When I do not understand something going on in the text I will re-read which is what I would advise everyone to do. Though I do not re-read whole books I may take my time to re-read a chapter, a page or a paragraph for a better understanding of the text. 

Prompt 1- Literacy

Literacy is the gift that enables one to understand the world around them. It allows them to limitlessly expand their knowledge. A literate person has the necessary tools to truly see the deeper meanings in the world he or she is living in. The common definition for literate is someone who can read or write. The expanded definition is someone who is knowledgeable and educated in one or several fields. The latter is more precise in that it suggests that it is more than reading and writing. It is seeing and doing based off of what one has read or written. One can become literate not only from reading and writing, but also from seeing and doing. A literate person notices seemingly meaningless things and thoughtlessly gives them significance. Think of the last time you looked at a flower and thought of nothing else. Or an airplane. Or a book. Or anything. It’d be a rare occasion. Each time, there was another story. A literate person strings objects, experiences, memories, and previous understandings together without even realizing it and with each new thought coming in, another resurfaces, automatically connecting and expanding their knowledge. A literate person is constantly building their data base. Allowing their minds to freely wander, literate people ponder the deeper meanings in the world. Literacy is a gift many may take for granted, but the world would be far from the same without us thinkers in it.

Dear Students:
Just a quick reminder that we will meet at the MU Herd Café on Thursday at 11:00 A.M.  I hope you can make it--give us a quick email to let us know so we can tell the restaurant.
Thanks!

Prompt 2-Rereading

I, personally, am not much of a re-reader, and I never have been. This goes with almost any and every text. I never find myself re-reading books or passages. Sometimes I will go back and re-read a sentence if I truly do not understand what was being said, but that is about the extent of it. If I am being honest, I do not even like to go back and re-read my own work. Only reading a piece of writing or literature once is a terrible habit, but I have never been about to break myself of it.

      Though I do not re-read I do not degrade this technique. I do not think that re-reading is only for those who do not understand what is being said. Re-reading is useful for so much more than comprehension. When one takes the time to re-read a text, she can find herself uncovering new thoughts and ideas that were not seen during the previous reading. For example, in Latin class during my Junior year, we read the Iliad. Mrs. Mac had already read this book a dozen times and had accumulated so many annotations that she actually had to start a new book. This being said, every time we shared she was excited about something new that she had discovered that had been hidden from her the previous times. Like I mentioned previously, I do not re-read very often so I am not as experienced in the task as I could be, but re-reading is a technique that is highly beneficial and can make reading the same text seem like reading a different text every time.

 

Prompt 1-Literacy

    According to Webster’s Dictionary, literacy is defined as "a person with knowledge of a particular subject or field." In How to Read Literature like a Professor, Foster defines literacy as "a person that has knowledge of a certain area and expands it to make it grow." Though these definitions are not the exact same, they are similar in regarding that literacy has to do with knowledge of a particular subject. A person becomes more and more literate each day as they become more experienced in the subject with they are impassioned. The path to literacy can last a lifetime. Individuals become more educated every day and as their knowledge expands they uncover new ideas and perspectives and evolve their thought processes.

     One becomes literate through exposure, practice, and repetition. A person can also become literate by reading up on their subject. Reading is one of the most common and important ways to expand knowledge. This being said, one must understand the information that they are absorbing in order to truly get something beneficial from the words they are reading. Reading alone is not enough, however. Reading knowledge must be paired with experimental knowledge as experience is a key factor to growth. Experience, practice, and repetition combine to further a person’s action literacy. A literate person also allows the opinions of others in order to be the best that they can be. They take criticism from other literate individuals in their field and apply that criticism in a positive manner.