"Inventing the University" by David Bartholomae argues that students must learn to speak the language that the University requires of them in order to succeed. Therefore, they try to become a part of that specialized discourse. In order to do that, they mimick its language while trying to mesh that language with their own ideas. Bartholomae explains that this is a trying task for "basic writers" because they have difficulty taking on that voice and often end up giving advice rather than coming to academic conclusions.
The differentiating line is, according to Linda Flower, that expert writers can anticipate the readers response and restructure their argument based on that knowledge. In order to anticipage the response, writers must, according to Bartholomae, acknowledge any assumptions and biases on the part of the reader. When the writer successfully manipulates their audience, they are above the basic writer category and entering into the expertise. Bartholomae goes on to point out that all writers need to think of themselves as 'insiders' into the specialized discourse community, and having the power to speak.
Basic writers face the obstacle of writing for the teacher, and they end up imitating what they have read, without really coming to their own conclusions about it. One way to help basic writers is to help them determine the conventions of the specific discourse community such that they might understand them and enter into that discourse community, as expert writers do. Bartholomae goes on to look at specific essays written by students and comes to the conclusion that the more advanced writers, indeed, claim an 'inside' position of privilege by rejecting the common language of the 'outsiders.' Just under those writers are those who find authority by simply mimicking the way academic prose. Bartholomae concludes that students may need to mimick the academic discourse before they can really enter into that discourse community and develop their own voice.
I agree with Bartholomae that it takes time for writers to really develop into experienced writers. As I read this essay I was thinking about my own writing techniques and questioning whether or not I really assume the position of privilege within the specific discourse community. In this instance, it feels more like simply mimicking that position, as I am writing basically a summary of Bartholomae's ideas, but then as I am coming to my own conclusions about his writing, I feel more like I am taking a position inside the community. I have experienced through my own writing that I have to first learn the style before I can really make it my own. That is true not only when trying to develop my voice in writing for the newspaper, but then also when I began writing in my creative non-fiction class last year too. With each new form of writing, I first find myself mimicking style, but then really developing my own style once I get used to it. I think the same is true for the use of templates that we discussed in the beginning of the semester in "They Say, I Say." At first, it is beneficial for writers to mimick another's style, but once they are comfortable enough, the templates become limiting and they can develop their own arguments without their aid.
1 comment:
Honestly Kara, this is the first post I've read wherein the writer connects the article to her OWN experience. Mad props, mad props.
So you see yourself more as mimicking, to an extent, before you for your own conclusions, rather than finding an inside position. Maybe the fact that you are not entirely interested in teaching in the future helps you to keep that distance that keeps you form even wanting to "write like" an insider.
On the other hand, I have always tried to write like an insider. I have that voice like I know something; I often have to remind myself that I know nothing. I think trying to write like an insider is my insolent defense against those who would want to exclude me, like sticking it to the man by writing like the man. Th eonly way to stick it to the man is to mimick insider-ship sith the man to some extent (See! you see how authoratiative that sounds! and it might not even be true!) I want to think more about. Not now, though; they have cake for another employee and I'm going to get mine!
Thanks!
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