“How To Read Like A Writer” by Mike Bunn (p. 74)
“In 1940, a famous poet and critic named Allen Tate discussed two different ways of reading: There are many ways to read, but generally speaking there are two ways. They correspond to the two ways in which we maybe interested in a piece of architecture. If the building has Corinthian columns, we can trace the origin and development of Corinthian columns; we are interested as historians. But if we are interested as architects, we may or may not know about the history of the Corinthian style; we must, however, know all about the construction of the building, down to the last nail or peg in the beams. We have got to know this if we are going to put up buildings ourselves. (506)”
I thought that this passage was important because it is a great metaphor for what the whole article is trying to get across. The author’s purpose in this article is to stress the importance and the differences between normal reading and reading like a writer. When reading like a normal reading we are only concerned with the information provided and what we learn from the reading. Reading like a writer takes more of an architect’s point of view. Reading like a writer involves more concentration on the actual words being used in context to the whole story. Tate makes the comparison of reading to constructing a building and that we must know every piece that goes into the construction of the building for us to be successful in building our own. Basically making the comparison that when we are reading like a writer, we focus on the words used in the text and the effects they have on the reader. Going word for word and examining the way it is used the story as a whole gives us a better understanding of the way the author wrote the story and gives us guidelines for our own stories.
I believe that reading is a huge part of writing because they go hand and hand. To become a good writer you must have read a lot because reading other peoples works is what gives you inspiration for your own writing. Seeing how other authors used words in their text and their effects on the reader, possibly being yourself, helps you decide whether you want those same effects in your writing. There is no possible way that someone could not be able to read but still was a good writer and vice versa. This is evident by this quote from Charles Moran.
“When we read like writers we understand and participate in the writing. We see the choices the writer has made, and we see how the writer has coped with the consequences of those choices (Bunn 75).
I wrote about this topic as well. I thought that it was a very important topic. I hadn't really thought about reading in this way before and thinking about its construction as building something was very helpful. I like your view of reading to become a better writer and drawing inspiration from other's works.
ReplyDeleteI think this was a very interesting part of the article, and I enjoyed reading it. I too talked about drawing from others works to inspire your writing, and liked your insight on that. On the other hand, your blog could use some 'pep' in the design department.
ReplyDeleteI also agreed that reading is a huge part of writing. It is nearly impossible for someone to be a good writer and not a good reader, they go hand in hand.
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