Re-Read "Inventing The University" By David Bartholomae

In re-reading, "Inventing the University by David Bartholomae I picked up on certain discourse that I missed the first read through. One of the main ideas after re-reading "Inventing The University" is that while writing academic papers you have the ability to use proper discourse in order to provide sufficient detail to essays. Understanding who and why you write is important. Beginning to be able to decide which type of discourse is suitable for that particular type of writing or speech is other trait of higher education.

One quote that stuck out the second time I read this piece was that "writers have shown a varied awareness of the codes-or the competing codes-that operate within a discourse" (page 521, Inventing the University, David Bartholomae.) It's your job as a writer that you have the ability to speak in another's voice or through someone’s voice that has some specific power or wisdom. You as a writer have to be able to enter into academic discourse not only when it's necessary but throughout your chosen profession. You may be called on by your specific "academic community" to speak a certain discourse on their behalf.

The term that I chose the second read through is more a statement then term and it is that as basic writers we have to determine just what a communities conventions are so that these conventions can be written out, "demystified" and then taught in our classrooms (page 517, Inventing the University, David Bartholomae.) To me this term means that sometimes teachers of a particular area of study are too vague on what they "require" their students to do. Terms like describing, defining, and use details are just a couple of terms that we have all heard as students at one time. As a result students have difficulty in choosing the proper discourse to be able to properly "meet" the needs that a certain teacher is asking for.

The central idea of the text is that everybody in society isn’t offered the ability to gain an equal education. Those that gain this education are able to use this to their advantage. You are able to sound intelligent and through this manipulate your audience.

Overall, the theme of this essay was that those who gain a higher education are better able to argue a point. Those that don’t have access to higher education are at a disadvantage because they aren’t able to validate or prove others wrong that have access to higher education.

"Inventing The University"

9-13-09

Inventing The University by, David Bartholomae

In "Inventing The University", by David Bartholomae it talks about going beyond the "average writer" and becoming more meaningful writers. Students "invent" the university by gaining some understanding and knowledge needed in universities or particular areas of study. A quote in particular that Bartholomae uses to validate this point is that as basic writers "it's hard for us to take on the role-the voice, the person-of an authority whose authority is rooted in scholarship, analysis, or research (page 513, Inventing the University, Bartholomae The importance of this quote means that first you are always evolving into better writers taking on the discourse of your particular area of study. Basic writers never go beyond simple language and jargon when the "setting" deems a particular discourse necessary.

A critical term is that a "writer has to "build bridges" between his p.o.v. and his readers (page 515, Inventing the University, Bartholomae). The term of importance is the "building bridges" portion part of the quote which exemplifies what you as writers have to do. Analyze the audience whom you are writing for. Understanding your audience will help you decide, as a writer, how to write and what to write about.

One thing of key importance found in the text is that your writing should reflect upon those that are reading your piece of chosen text. For example you have to write an essay for the School of Education in order for you to be excepted. In this paper it should reflect not only your personal experiences but be able to include the discourse that you learned in the variety of education classes you have to take.

The second thing of key importance is the fact that some writers have the ability to successful manipulate their chosen audience. By being able to manipulate your particular audience you gain a sense of power from the academic discourse. This sense of power can be reflected in the academic discourse you use by being able to include and exclude particular readers of your essay. Wow, don't you love the power of words!!