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| Bob Marley, yes, that Bob Marley, reading the newspaper. |
Off-Campus Life
In addition, a great newspaper will teach you how to write: most articles are models of clarity and substance — with no academic jargon! Pay attention to the writer’s vocabulary, see how many active verbs are used, file away striking new words for future use. Study how articles are structured — how the first paragraph tells the reader simply and clearly the subject and main points. Take a look at the last paragraph; it will often show you how to conclude an essay with a pithy phrase or a telling quotation.
A great newspaper will help you in the classroom — and it will be your conduit to the real world outside the classroom. Become addicted.
Another way to stay connected with the real world: get to know your teachers outside of class. Chat and engage with them, perhaps on the walk away from class. Ask them not only about the coursework but also about their own intellectual interests and research. Equally important to maintaining that lifeline to the universe beyond college is getting to know the janitors and housekeepers in your dorm, the security staff on the campus, the people who work in the cafeteria. Talk to them, ask them questions and thank them.
HERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS I WANT TO ADD: During the first weeks of school I often stress the importance of reading the newspaper daily. James MacGregor Burns, who has been a college teacher for over 50 years and the author of many books on U.S. government and history, encourages students to "[t]ry to read a good newspaper every day." Most of you do all the things he suggests, but it is good to see his ideas in print. In addition to reading MacGregor's article, (see above), you might want to take a look at some of these other articles in The New York Times Education Life section. You'll find articles on "The Year of the MOOC," and . . . you name it. Please post some of your reactions to what Burns and the other writers have to say. What do you think is going on at colleges today?
Follow these links to three newspapers that you should become familiar with. Why not make one of these your home page?
Los Angeles Times
The New York Times
The Washington Post
and this one, too:
BBC news
Want to see more newspapers? Of course. See Newseum.
Follow these links to three newspapers that you should become familiar with. Why not make one of these your home page?
Los Angeles Times
The New York Times
The Washington Post
and this one, too:
BBC news
Want to see more newspapers? Of course. See Newseum.
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| Eva Longoria with newspaper. Not just an accessory. |
I agree with the advice given: yes it is important to read, write, be politically active, converse with your teachers, meet the staff, take classes outside your major, make mistakes, and be uncertain about your career. All of this helps create a well rounded person, but sometimes it seems slightly impractical; its creating an ideal and romanticized view of college. When a student is pressed for time and financial resources, they can't take a multitude of classes because its seen as indecisive. Students that work outside of school may not have time to be politically active and volunteer their services. Being denied financial aid results in taking less classes. These suggestions cater to students within the ideal college bubble: those whose parents pay for everything, who live on campus and don't need to worry about jobs and money.
ReplyDeleteThat was my initial reaction to the article.
Personally, I like reading the paper and there are certain sections which I check everyday (health and food) to at least skim the articles. I try to skim the front page of the LA or NY times to get a glimpse of what is going on in the real world and I also like the Huffington Post. I may not always have time to read all the articles, but skimming the paper to get a general idea of real world happenings is better then none at all, IMO.
-Omri Avraham
english 1a
I also agree to what James MacGregor Burns states in his article: reading a good newspaper can help improve a college student's life. By just reading the paper, students are filled with new vocabulary and news of what is happening around the world. It offers the students a chance to converse with teachers and inspire them to take classes out of their major and to explore the possibilities.
ReplyDeleteBut Burns' article also supports the idea of what a typical college student should be. College students are pictured to be so called "well-rounded individuals" who take many classes for their major, volunteer, and read newspapers, among other things. This expectation adds pressure and more stress to the already worn-out college students.
To be blunt, I do not read the paper. My reason is because it "ruins my day," so to speak. It may seem like such a ridiculous excuse, but to go to school feeling happy and motivated is important to me. Just today, I skimmed the front page and saw a picture of wounded and dead bodies with the caption "suicide bomber in Pakistan kills 48." Although the paper reports events around the world, it only seems to report tragedy's.
I'm empathetic and pick up on the emotions of the tragedy that is reported. These emotions stick to me all day long, distracting me from my classes and what is going on around me at the present. I'd rather risk the reputation of not being a "well-rounded" college student than not participate in class and be distracted from lecture. But, I still get my news from online (USAToday). It still reports on what is happening around the world, but written in such a way that my day is not "ruined."
These were my thoughts that were inspired by Burn's article.
P.S: I researched about what inspired Komunyakaa to write the poem "Facing It." He was part of the Vietnam War and reported the various battles fought and interviewed soldiers during the war. Personally, I thought he wrote the poem in the perspective of being dead because of the hints: half-expecting to see his name on the wall, the Vietnam veteran looking though him ("I'm a window."), and his "clouded reflection" against the black granite. That's why I asked what inspired him to write the poem; was he involved in the war or did someone close to him die?
-Marylou Aclan
English 1B
MW 7-9 am
Omri and Marylou,
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for your thoughtful remarks, from newspaper reading to Komunyakaa research.
Marylou, I'd make another case re: the value of newspaper reading. You say "[a]lthough the newspaper reports events around the world, it only seems to report tragedy's." I guess your key word is "seems," but I think this is too often the way newspapers are seen--not seems to be reporting bad news, but are only instruments of bad, depressing news. Maybe it is becasue their top stories are that--powerful and depressing, as they tell us of wars and natural disasters. I do agree with you that such news can ruin our day, in a big way. Knowing of these things, however, can also make us more grateful and maybe in some small way a sense of responsibility. (I'm not saying that I am a man of good deeds becasue I read the news. Far from it.) Yet we don't have to read past the leading news to inform us of things that are pleasant, funny, helpful, and entertaining--and not depressing at all. They make for a great diversion from the troubles around us. And I often, rightly or wrongly, zip right past the bad news for the good.
On another note. What I do wonder when reading the Burns piece: what kind of college student is he thinking of? All college students at all types of schools, including community colleges, or just those similar to those he has seen at Williams College, a small, residential liberal arts college in Northwest Massachusetts? And "the real world." Don't get me started on that one.
Nonetheless, thanks for posting. You're both giving me things to think about.
--Christopher McCabe
What Mr. BURNS says about how newspaper helps a student to write is more important for me as a "horriable " writer.
ReplyDelete"A great newspaper will teach you how to write: most articles are models of clarity and substance — with no academic jargon! Pay attention to the writer’s vocabulary, see how many active verbs are used, file away striking new words for future use. Study how articles are structured — how the first paragraph tells the reader simply and clearly the subject and main points. Take a look at the last paragraph; it will often show you how to conclude an essay with a pithy phrase or a telling quotation."
I always complained that I do not have enough time to have more reading. I have ignored a good resources of reading. Hope I can stand up the habit.
Shuhua Lu
English 1B
I will definitely start taking Burns' and your advice to heart. It has been a while since I've read a book, and most of the reading I've been doing recently have only been of my friends' online personal blogs. I started reading Kafka's The Trial over a year ago and I still haven't finished it. I should get back to it, and at the same time, start reading the LA/NY Times. Not only would it help me with my writing, but it would also keep me up-to-speed with current events.
ReplyDeleteMr. Burns' advice to college students greatly reminds me of the advice my dad gives me every once in a while: Read the newspaper to broaden one's knowledge, learn new vocabulary, and develop skills in analyzing writing. My dad has been telling me to read newspapers since middle school. At the start, he told me to read an article per day, highlight words I did not recognize, and write a summary on the article. However, I only did this for a short period of time -- but in that period of my readings, I learned a bit about people, whether an article was about license plates or people's feelings about education or a story about a teenager taking care of his/her siblings and juggling a job as their mother recovered in a hospital. Although I was picky about the articles I read in the newspaper, I agree with Burns on newspapers being the "path to the world at large." I experienced just that in the short time-frame of my readings.
ReplyDeleteCurrently, my family is not subscribed to any newspapers. My family use to subscribe to the LA Times and the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. I would pick up the newspapers from my family's front yard and skim the front page headlines before putting it down and going on to do other activities. News, until I took Political Science over the Winter Intersession, had minimal impact on my life since I did not listen, watch, or read news on a regular basis. I did not utilize the internet to read newspaper articles like my dad. Now, I occasionally read New York Times and the Los Angeles Times online, but I don't think my readings are enough to impact my writing and analytical skills (mainly because I don't know how to analyze and don't know how to apply it to my writing).
Despite all the great benefits that accompany the activity of reading newspapers, I believe many individuals choose not to read the newspaper because of the busyness of life/school/work, have no interest in reading articles, or dislike reading upsetting news. For me, I (previously) had no interest in reading newspapers and was busy with extracurricular activities. This reflects the opposite of the saying: If there's a will, there's a way.
Rainbow Sun
English 1B
TTh 7:00AM
Rainbow,
ReplyDeleteWonderful! Thanks for taking time to write and telling us about you and your ideas.
Christopher McCabe
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI like Burns' article. He reminds me of the voice in my head that tells me to read the news everyday. I also would like to add what my Econ teacher said this week, that reading the news is "part of one's [your] education". It bridges and supplements classroom knowledge with real world events, while of course, reaping the said advantages of being a well-read student. Personally, I use the news as a tool not only to get updated but also to boost my interest. I mention interest because reading about, say, the U.S. economic crisis or the political instability in my country, reminds me of why I'm pursuing my major. However, I do agree with other posts that for students, time is a major constraint. Because of the workload during the fall and spring semesters, it becomes difficult to follow through with such commitments.
ReplyDeleteI read several articles as well, but what I found most interesting was the new-structured and stern approach that educator's in New York have implemented for community college students at CUNY/New Community College. This picked my interest because I did my Eng1A research paper on U.S. and it's declining educational standards. I'm glad to read that educators and some government officials are trying or "experimenting" with a different approach to help students get through their college education. I hope their efforts are a success. I sure would like to follow up on their developments too; maybe PCC could learn a thing or three from it.
Oshin Edralin
Eng 1B
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a child growing up in Philadelphia, before the introduction of the digital age, the daily newspaper was the only resource available in which to turn to for news and information about what was going on in the world. There were two editions of the daily paper: the morning "Inquirer" was on the doorstep, just in time for breakfast and the evening "Bulletin" was there to be enjoyed after supper. A newspaper from another city was considered an enormous treat to be savored. It was said that reading "The New York Times" on a daily basis was equivalent to a college education. I remember going to the library on Monday mornings, hoping to be the first one to get my hands on that paper before anyone else. I still go back to the "NY Times" for it's East coast perspective. I read the "LA Times" to keep up with the West. And I read "The Guardian" from London, to gain an international perspective on things. It is important to know how other people percieve you in the world, and reporting from a different perspective can reveal the details a national paper may gloss over or flat out omit. I do not rely on television "news" at all. At the same time I also believe strongly that a "news vacation": an idea that is proposed by Dr. Andrew Wiel M.D., a pioneer in the feild of integrated medicine, is also very important. We do react physically, mentally, and emotionally to the things we read in the paper. Tuning out for a day, the weekend, or while on vacation is just as important and helpful as tuning in.
ReplyDeleteArrell Adams
Eng1C
After reading the article by James MacGregor Burns, and others including The Year of the MOOC by Laura Pappano, Tips From a Professional Cheat by Abby Ellen, and Digital Natives and their Customs by Tamar Lewin, I am struck by the common thread of the importance, placed by younger students, on the desire to get something in return for very little effort. As if showing up is all that is required. Not all students have the advantages that MacGregor Burns ascribes to today's learners. Taking a class online, as Massive Open Online Courses allow, is a way to fulfill a requirement, without really learning anything, if you have the dosh. Abby Ellen's interview with a "professional hack" reveals that you get what you pay for. As an older student I see the lack of interest and enthusiasm on the part of my classmates as the result of this belief that all is deserved "because I am here". Their parents, peers, and school administrators share in the blame, as well, for not demanding a higher level of commitment on the part of the "Gold Star Generation". I'm not bashing the younger generation. I actually had a fellow student proudly tell me that in a previous class a grade of "C" was achieved, and that "that's all I wanted". I mean, "Why bother".
ReplyDeleteArrell,
ReplyDeleteSorry about taking so long to respond. I did want to say thanks for your post. I enjoyed reading your memories of growing up in Philadelphia and the part a daily newspaper plays in a city's life.
I make use of the Internet all too much, but yes it serves a purpose to get the day's latest news, or for people who are fans of social media to stay connected to friends, but there is a magic that we may be losing when we don't have that moment of unfolding a paper copy of a newspaper and wonder what happened yesterday. Even the ads on the big sheet of paper are more interesting and less intrusive than those that keep crawling and popping out at us on the net. I still look at the paper copy of the Los Angeles Times and the Sunday New York Times, and I find that I am more open to reading about things that I know nothing or little about. The Internet has so much available to all of us but it, strangely, keeps so much of it hidden, whether we use Google Chrome or Safari or bing. Turning the pages of a paper leads me to the unexpected And that's a deeper joy or an even deeper pain. And reason enough to pick up the paper.
I agree with James Burn's advice to not just for college students, but also for everyone as well. I admitted that I regret not putting enough effort into reading especially when English is my second language. I remember I was 10 years old when I came over. My first teacher in America during my fourth grade year encouraged me to follow the news articles because she knew that a novel or literature reading materials would be tough for me especially for someone who is trying to learn English as a second language, and it was also tougher for me. No one else in my family speak English and I also suffer this "broken language" because I came over when I was young so my Vietnamese wasn't fully developed, it was really hard for me to translate the two language together. My teacher was hopping that news articles would some how catch my attention with pictures and other stuff because the 9/11 attack happened around that time. I somewhat looked at it but as a kid first time in America, I was attracted to video games and all these other fun toys most of the time. Now that I realized that my writing isn't as good as my friends. I do feel embarrass when people read my essay/writing. Grammars errors are also part of my problems. I do check up the news pretty often from yahoo and when I do, I often think if only i spent all those times that i had in reading articles instead of video games my English and writing would be so much better now. I highly encourage everyone to follow Burn's advice to read more to improve their writing.
ReplyDeleteI'm ashamed to admit that I avoid reading the paper because I hate the way the paper feels and the ink on my fingers after I've read it. I'm sorry. It's a good thing we now have The New York Times and The LA times online, but I know it's not the same thing as having the paper on hand.
ReplyDeleteRosario Anguiano
English 1B T-Th