The book, "How to Read Literature Like a Professor" by Thomas C. Foster, discussed many familiar concepts that had previously left me confused. Last year, I became familiar with some of the archetypes Foster includes. While I was reading, my vague memories were beginning to seem clear with as the text helped me better understand the topic. The examples that Foster provides make the learning process easier. For me, it was more simple to learn the archetype then see how it can be applied. Foster would relate his topics to well-known stories and further explain why the author included what he or she did. For example, I knew that the raft in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885) was a symbol, but I didn't know the importance of it. Now I can read Huck Finn and notice the significance of the river, and when they are and aren't on the raft. The raft isn't just a means of transportation, it can represent the relationship between Huck and Jim and the progress they have made since the start of their escape.
When I read the poems that were assigned I could instantly recognize concepts Foster had prepared me for. The first thing I noticed in, "The Terrorist, He Watches"was the tone. My first thoughts were why did the author include this? What is his purpose for the disturbing tone? Before reading Fosters book, I would have approached the tone differently, but now I first question the authors goal. I learned to think from an authors perspective when I learned about the rhetorical situation. The art of communication taught me the different elements that need to be included. After learning this, I can notice the different approaches authors take towards their subject. Depending on the elements for that situation, the text can quickly change. When reading articles in the newspaper, I asked myself if the approach the author took worked for message he or she was trying to convey.
The rhetorical situation questions why certain aspects were included. It allows readers to discover the ultimate motive behind an author. The AP English Literature essay will require one to think in rhetorical situations. Before answering the prompt, one must ask themselves what he or she is trying to accomplish in this writing, what the audience is expecting, and the type of person he or she wants to come across as. An argument is a technique of persuasion. After learning about arguments, I can point out the different types of arguments and the proper situations. I notice that arguments pose as an efficient way to change an opinion or view.
Really good work Nicci, nice job connecting the course material with things you've read before.
ReplyDeleteGood job on connecting Foster with something that you read last year. I think Foster does to a good job of explaining all of the techniques and using examples to help make us understand. I like how you analyzed different stories through Foster.
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job relating the Thomas Foster's How to Read Literature Like a Professor to the texts that you have read in the past. In years past I also was to recognize many of the things that Foster mentions in his work but I never understood the significance of them. I enjoyed hearing how this book helped you understand other books such as Huckleberry Finn and the poem "The Terrorist, He Watches". I think that this book helps us bridge the gap in our knowledge and really start making connections between literature and it helps us approach each piece of literature we read with Foster's techniques in mind. Learning about the rhetorical situation is critical as this is what we are always trying to understand when we read a piece of literature and it can be very challenging. Being able to answer the rhetorical situation will be very helpful for the AP test.
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