College has always been a process that introduces students to academic challenges that are not present during high school. So when my professor assigned Gerald Graff's essay, "Hidden Intellectualism", I thought this was his thesis. “Missing the opportunity to tap into such street smarts and channel them into good academic work." (Graff 142) I thought that this was his thesis because it explains the main idea of the essay but I assumed its purpose because of where it’s placed. I am so used to reading
that one who is so intelligent about so many things in life seems unable to apply that intelligence to academic work. This is how Gerald Graff’s essay titled “Hidden Intellectualism" begins. Although this is not Graff's personal belief, he is approaching us with a common stereotype. After reading Graff's article I would say that I agree with him from beginning to end. Gerald Graff begins with differentiating between “book smarts” and “street smarts". Book smart is defined as a person who is intelligent
In Gerald Graff’s “Hidden Intellectualism”, Graff discusses the topic of people that are“street smart” rather than book smart (Graff 198). He speaks of how it is ridiculous that simply because a student may not apply their intellect into academic work society considers them to be wasting their potential, and that it is unfair that we put scholastic material on a pedestal and completely dismiss the workings of lower class society. In fact he goes one step further and states that society as a whole
Although many people would agree that Intellectuals are those who stand out academically, Gerald Graff would think otherwise. "Hidden Intellectualism" is an essay written by Gerald Graff, where he shares his beliefs about how the educational system is failing to tap those who are doing academically poor, yet resembles great potential of intellectualism when it comes to their passion or interest. Along with this beliefs Patch Adams is a movie based on a real story, where Hunter Adams (Patch) who admitted
“Hidden Intellectualism” an article written by Gerald Graff is a very interesting piece of writing intended for the audience of high school and college educators. Throughout the text Graff argues that high schools and colleges are failing to incorporate topics that interest street smart students into the school system, which is therefore resulting in street smart students failing to do well academically in high school and college. He uses his own personal anecdote to support this. Graff successfully
Gerald Graff’s article “Hidden Intellectualism” asserts that academic settings, such as public schools, need to incorporate students’ personal interests into the school policy so that students are more inclined to engage in an academic mindset. The problem, however, is that the school systems do not attempt to tie non-academic material with academic assignments, therefore neglecting students the opportunity to engage in intriguing, intellectual conversation (Graff 245). Targeting students, educators
Why don’t schools take advantage of a student’s so-called “street smarts”? Why weigh down students with heavy textbooks when they could be learning from resources that they enjoy? This is exactly the argument Dr. Gerald Graff makes in his article Hidden Intellectualism, where Graff attempts to convince teachers to broaden the scope of school curriculum to accommodate street smarts and more popular topics. To persuade teachers that this method of teaching is effective, Graff uses personal anecdotes
Langston Hughes “Theme for English B” and Gerald Graff’s essay “Hidden Intellectualism” portray racial separation and intellectual isolation, respectively. Hughes’ essay is poetic justice, and Graff’s is a call to arms. Hughes’ is short and to the point and is simply what it is, no arguing or convincing, just raw thought. Graff’s is highly intellectual; offering examples and reasoning, and it could even be seen as a not-quite-finished plea to the nation to reevaluate our education system. But the
Hidden Intellectualism Avery Mears Abstract When it comes to the topic of hidden intellectualism, most of us will readily agree that a lot of students are seen to have an issue with it. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of is it the students fault. Whereas some are convinced it is, others maintain it is at the fault of the teachers or professors. Gerald Graff has his argument that in many cases book smarts can be hidden in street smarts. I believe that kids that struggle
Hidden Intellectualism and Different Patterns of Success In the education system, students are being taught from a young age that they must achieve accomplishments in a typically structured schedule of Mathematics, Sciences, Histories, and English. Depending on the grade one is in, the schedule may vary; yet, the student’s school life still revolves around what one would call “ book smarts”. In the essay, “ Hidden Intellectualism”, written by Gerald Graff, the author states schools and colleges