Essay on The Radical Impact of Reading - 1585 Words

As children, we begin to develop a firm understanding of grammar, spelling and phonetics; the â€Å"nuts and bolts† of language. Growing into comprehensive readers, we learn to assemble and dissemble the collection of words and symbols which make up sentences. After practicing alternative methods such as letter recognition and memorization, we eventually stop going through â€Å"only the motions of reading† and begin to understand the message behind the words (X1). Once we can understand the written theories and experiences of others, we are better equipped to add to or challenge them, and to construct our own arguments. The consequence of the above process is that if someone does not pass through these stages of learning to read, they are not seen†¦show more content†¦At the time, I was too young to recognize that my vocabulary was expanding as I let my imagination fly me to Hogwarts. Over time, I began to realize the difference that reading made for my everyday life. I began to notice the grammatical errors I normally made while writing and speaking, and strove to change my habits so that I may sound smarter, like the character Hermione Granger. Years later, when I discovered blogging, I managed to conform to the rules of grammar while maintaining a style and structure of my own. While writing scholarly work, however, my argument is often weakened because I spend too much time re-wording my sentences to sound more â€Å"objective.† Just as Malcolm X had to adopt a dialect of English very different from his former â€Å"street talk,† I am forced to change my style for most pro fessional writing. The use of what I call â€Å"personal voice† in scholarly writing can be used to the advantage of both the author and the reader. In an essay called â€Å"Me and My Shadow,† Jane Tompkins explains that rather than taking away from a thesis, personal experience can enrich a text and persuade the reader to invest more time and focus in the piece they are reading (170). When I develop a relationship with the author, closing the book mid-chapter would feel like slamming a door in a friend’s face. In line with Tompkins’ theory, Malcolm X was tooShow MoreRelatedThe Reformation And The Reformation1421 Words   |  6 Pagespart to the selling of indulgences and the flawed teachings of the Catholic Church many people were dissatisfied about their faith during the Renaissance. This led to a period called the Reformation, which began in 1517. The Reformation was led by radical critics Martin Luther and John Calvin, who questioned the teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church, due to their selling of indulgences and stray from the Bible. 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