Study Habits

            As I study for finals, I am reminded just how much assigned reading there has been in my classes this semester, reading that contains information that I will be tested over in the next couple of days. At the beginning of the semester I had an in-class discussion with one of my professors. He had gotten angry at the class because no one had done the assigned reading prior to class time. I proposed the argument that I often prefer to do complex readings after class discussion and lecture because it helps me understand it more. It is almost as if the lecture and notes provide an abstract to a scholarly article and then I can go and read the material with a better base understanding and make connections to discuss in the next class. This is something I have done my entire college career.

            Hearing this, my professor set me up to a challenge. He offered me extra credit if I read the reading PRIOR to class and came up with three discussion topics/questions and then discuss my experience in my weekly journal. Always willing to take advantage of extra credit, I agreed to the challenge. My journal response to him was as follows:

The motivation to read this week was the potential for extra credit by creating discussion questions based on the assigned materials gave me a little extra push to focus a little more in depth on the readings. With the knowledge that I would have to generate discussion questions, I was forced to spend more time to comprehend the material rather than simply read and it. Using a highlighter was a technique that made me slow down in my reading and spend more time with the material. Earlier this semester we discussed the benefits of reading before class versus after class. This is a good time to compare since the assignment provided opportunity and motivation to be fully read prior to discussion, and I cannot say that I experienced much difference. It did not alter my level of discussion or participation either way.

The interesting part of this experiment was that it gave me confidence that I knew the material, however, when I went to take the quiz, I received one of my lowest quiz scores of the semester. As I reflect back, I still like to stick to my methods of reading post-discussion because it ensures that I am learning it correctly. Without a base of information, I drew conclusions of my own from the information in the material, and the initial conclusions were the ones that stuck in my memory as I completed my quiz.

            This is not to say that everyone should always read post-lecture rather than prior to class. It is essential for some classes (discussion driven courses) to read prior to class time. It is to make a point that everyone has different learning and reading habits and that is okay.

Health Benefits of Reading

            Every week at my work I am required to write a health tip on the board. In the spirit of not producing a health tip for the gym this week, I would like to discuss the health benefits of being a reader. I decided to do some research and there were some quite interesting findings.

·         Readers tend to have higher vocabularies: This fact made me think, “Well, yeah, that’s obvious.” Even when readers come across a word that they are unfamiliar with, they use the context of the sentences around it to decipher the meaning of a word, thus expanding their vocabulary.

·         Readers have reduced stress levels: Though it may be difficult to think about not being stressed in a time as crazy as the holiday season or finals week, it is true that readers are typically more easily called down. The reason behind this is because they have developed strategies for calming the mind and relaxing.

·         Readers have less of a chance or having dementia: As I get older, one of the worst things I can image in losing my mind and my memory. I think it is one of the most tragic illnesses one can suffer from. Lucky for readers, studies have found a relationship between reading and a lower risk of dementia. Researchers have found that nonreaders are 18% more likely to develop the condition.

·         Readers tend to be better critical thinkers: I am curious if certain genres or types of reading has an effect on this? Do I still become a better critical thinker by reading Nicholas Sparks?

·         Building relationships between parents and children: Apparently kids and parents who read aloud together for tighter bonds than those who do not read together. Is this because they are spending time together or is it specifically due to the activity that they are doing?

·         Readers have an easier time concentrating: By reading, you are putting your brain to practice at doing an impassive activity. You are challenging the mind to read and communicate information, and this will serve you well in the long run!

These benefits are just a couple that I have found, (as if I needed more reason to enjoy reading). Spread the word to nonreaders and lets see if we can get them on our side ;)

Is There an Evolution of Readers?

            Throughout this semester, we have studied on the evolution of books and print. As the semester comes to a close, I wanted to discuss: Is there an evolution to a reader? Obviously science classes in high schools around the country teach about the evolution of humans, but is there such thing as the evolution of a reader? Are some born to like book and some are not, or does a love for books stem from something else?

            I am curious if the evolution of a reader is like the theory of human evolution. In human evolution, humans were forced to adapt to survive, creating characteristics and traits that we consider to be normal of human beings today (In simplistic terms, of course). When I think about it, reading is a necessity. This is why we start learning to read in Kindergarten, if not before. This is why there are reading portions on standardized testing and tests that exam how quickly and accurately you read aloud. If it weren’t so important, we wouldn’t have to go through all of those exams and efforts as a student.

            Yet, despite its importance, there are many people who genuinely do not enjoy reading. I am on the side of the fence that grew up as an avid reader, so I am curious WHY don’t people love it? Is it simply because it is not an interest of theirs? After all, we are all entitled to our own opinions, likes, and dislikes. Or is there a more interesting explanation for people’s varied love/hate for books?

            This is an entry of questions, questions that may irrelevant and not have an answer. I think that everyone starts at the same base level when it comes to reading. Some parents introduce their children to books and language sooner than others. This gives the brains exposure to reading, even when the child does not realize it. I also believe that people generally enjoy things that they are good at. So those who have been exposed for longer are going to be better at reading are going to enjoy it more and spend more time into doing it, therefore, getting better at in. On the flip side, individuals who initially struggle with reading are not going to enjoy it and consequentially, are not going to pursue it when they have spare time.  

Taking TIme

Blog #5:

            Today during the morning, the power went out on my entire street. The library had yet to open and my computer was dead. I tried turning on the TV and switching on lights, but all forms of electricity were not working. Unfortunately, I was unable to go back to sleep, and without a computer or a TV I had very limited options for entertainment. I decided to pull a book from my bookshelf and begin reading. The light from outside my window was sufficient enough as a brewed a cup of coffee and curled up in bed with my book.

            This is something that I have not been able to do for a very long while. I am quite often distracted with technology (relying on it for entertainment) or focused on studying and doing homework. I have not taken the opportunity put aside technology and escape into the world of a book, until this morning. And let me say, it was incredibly refreshing. The first couple hours of my day were dedicated to nothing except getting lost in the Harry Potter’s magical world as he competed in the Triwizard tournament. I had forgotten how relaxing it was to be able to read something other than a required reading for a course.

            Many college students often do not prioritize reading for pleasure. After going to class, completing homework, and studying for tests, it is common for students to simply desire to partake in something mindless, watching Netflix for example. Even if they have been readers their entire life, they do not feel like opening up a book and reading more after already have spent hours reading for a class. Because of this, many college students do no read a book for pleasure from cover to cover during their entire college career. This is something that I consider to be tragic. I did not realize it until this morning when once I decided to get ready for the day, I felt refreshed and rejuvenated even though I had woken up at an early hour. Taking time to be by your self is important, whether it is for self reflection, devotionals, or for getting cozy with a good book. I encourage everyone to set at least one day a week aside to wake up a couple hours before their meetings and classes start to spend some time with a novel and have a slow start to the day. I can guarantee that anyone who enjoys reading will have a better day because of it.

Author Interview Transcription

Author Interview: Dr. Paul Witt –– TCU Communication Studies Department

By Hanna Arstein, Catie Callaway, and Mary Claire Walsh

I: Hi, Okay, I think it is working. So who or what inspires you as an author?

Dr. Witt: Who or what inspires me? Um… What I go to…What I write, by the way, is scholarly research articles, okay?

I: Mmmhmm

Dr. Witt: That’s the kind of writing that I do. And so who inspires me are my collegues when I go to a conference and I hear them present their research. It is very inspiring to me to go back and do research on my own.

I: That's cool. Who or what motivates you as an author?

Dr. Witt: What motivates me? Well, the university requires us to do that kind of work, okay? So to keep my job, I am supposed to write, and so that's what I do. *laughter* It is very motivating!

I: *laughter* What authors and/or books have influenced you as an author the most?

Dr. Witt: Well my mentor in graduate school was a nationally known researcher and he taught me how to write in this style. After I got my degree, Dr. Schrodt is one of the best writers of this kind of work, and he helped me and taught me what he knows as well.

I: Um… Most often were and when and how do you write?

Dr. Witt: Right here. This is it. My little reary end is attached to this chair right here*laughter*  and it stays here for hours on end *laughter*

I: How has tech… er… how has technology changing print culture, specifically regarding authors and readers?

Dr. Witt: Well, we are having more and more scholarly journals go online now, whereas they have always been print journals before. We are still doing print and print journals carry more prestige, but there are more and more of them going online.

I: When you write, who is your intended audience?

Dr. Witt: Other eggheads like me. Other professors and researchers that read. We will read each others' work.

I: How has the current technological revolution changed your audience?

Dr. Witt: Uh… I don't think it is changing my audience. It does make our work more accessible because graduate students or undergraduate students can go online and click click click and have an article. In the old days, you had to go to the library and search the shelves and find and pull out the journal and read it.

I: Yeah! What do you think reading and authorship will look like fifty years from now?

Dr. Witt: Yeah, I saw that question. Fifty years from now, I don’t k now! I'm not…I'm not going to be here. It is going to be your problem, not mine! *laughter* Fifty years from now, I don't know,  I suppose there is a possibility that there will be very few print publications. I hope that's not the case, but it is possible

I: Yeah, how did you find a publisher and how long did the process take?

Dr. Witt: When I write an article I have the publishing…the publication outlet in mind. I already know where I want to send it so I write in a style that they approve of. So usually, I select the publication before I do the article and then I write to suit their standards and there is not very much editing that takes place after that. There are some things, but not much.

I: So how much did your manuscript change after your publishers editorial process? Not much?

Dr. Witt: Just polishing details usually, mmhmm.

I: Do you have a definite or specific organization structure in mind as you begin writing? Oh, I guess you already answered that, so I guess you do.

Dr. Witt: Yeah, there is kind of a format. If you send it to one journal they want it this way. If you send it to another journal, they want it that way. You just kind of learn how to meet their requirements.

I: How would you describe your writing process?

Dr. Witt: Well, it has changed a little over the years. I am a perfectionist, I want every word in every sentence to be perfect. So in the beginning, it took me a long long time to write. I would spend a half of day on a page or two. Well, you can't really do that, so someone told me along the way, "Just put your thoughts down. Just type as fast as you can and don't worry if it is correct or not." So you put all your thoughts down on paper and THEN you can go back and edit. When I started doing that, it went faster and it was much more enjoyable.

I: Do you have any writing habits or rituals that help your writing process?

Dr. Witt: It is my habit to work on Saturdays or Sundays when there is no one around.

I: Yeah, then there is no rush.

Dr. Witt: mmhmm, yeah. There are no interruptions, no noise. You know, I just…I just get in the zone and just do it.

I: Do you write in multiple genres?

Dr. Witt: Well, yeah, surprisingly I do.

I: Oh, really?

Dr. Witt: I have written a textbook for one of my courses, well for the Character course.

I: Oh cool!

Dr. Witt: And it is very different. It is not scholarly writing and it is not in that formulaic style at all. And it was refreshing to do that. It was kind of in a conversational, self help kind of style.

I: What was your first publication? And what do you think of  this publication now?

Dr. Witt: *laughter* The first one was in 1999, and it was an article for a journal and I co authored it with my mentor who was teaching me how to do this. And at the time, I thought it was mostly hot air; I did not think it was substantial, but as I learned what research really is like, I go back to it and see that, yeah, it was good work. It was a good first step.

I: So, besides teaching and authorship, have you had any other jobs in the writing field?

Dr. Witt: Yes, uh, currently I am editing a six hundred  page reference logium.

I: Oh, wow!

Dr. Witt: So it is huge! It is the biggest work I have ever been involved in. It involves recruiting 30 authors from around the world, each one contributing a chapter to this logium. They send their manuscripts to me, and I correct them and edit them and send them back for revisions.

I: That’s a lot!

Dr. Witt: Ultimately, the logium will be published with my name on it, so, its huge!

I: That's a big deal, that’s exciting! Okay, that's the last question.

Dr. Witt: Okay! Did you get what you needed?

I: Yup! But I don't think I will be the next Katie Couric. Thank you for your time!

Books, Memories, and Emotions

Blog #4

            Studies have shown that memories are associated with certain smells, and even some sounds and music. The brain forms a connection to the scent or the specific song with what is happening and what emotions are being experiences at the time the senses are being stimulated. However, one thing that I would be interested in researching is how exactly this happens, and how does it relate to the memories I have related to books that I have read. I do not mean remembering what the plot line was in certain novels, but what part of the brain builds the association to events that I have with certain books. Is this the same part of the brain that connects smells and music to memories?

            Whenever I think of the childhood cabin, I think of two specific books: The Bridge to Terabithia and the Amelia Bedilia series books. I have a very specific memory of myself reading The Bridge to Terabithia in the loft of my cabin. When I reached the ending, I began crying, and my mom immediately blamed my older sister for picking a fight with me, even though the tears had nothing to do with my sister. With this specific memory present, I understand the reason of why I associate my cabin with the novel; however, this is not the case with the Amelia Bedilia series.  Never (in my recollection) can I remember a time where I read these childhood books anywhere near my cabin. This creates more curiosity of why the association exists.

            I believe there is a power within books to tap into emotions so deeply that connections are made. There was once an article which stated that "memories are only made when intense emotion is felt." With my very limited knowledge of the brain, my simple guess would be that books cause the reader to feel an emotion, and the brain takes in the surroundings of the event and stores it into long term memory. This is a simplistic guess for a complicated inquiry, and I would be interested in learning the mechanics of how books become associated with certain memories.

The Convenience of eBooks

Blog #3

            Electronic Books (eBooks) have become the up and coming thing in the world of literacy and reading. I will admit to used eBooks, but this does not hinder the fact that my love runs deep for bound books. The idea of eBooks has taken off since the invention of the Kindle and now numerous companies have released devices to read books electronically.

            Though I prefer "old fashioned" paper books, I understand the appeal of eBooks. They can be read on multiple types of devices, and these devices are easy to carry around. Whether it is an iPad, Kindle, Nook, or other sort of tablet, they are more light weight that a typical hardback book. Convenient access is also a large factor in the move towards utilizing eBooks. With a tablet, it is possible to story hundreds of books in one lightweight place. If a reader completes a book or tires of it, a new book altogether can be accessed with just a couple swipes and taps upon the screen. There is no need to log on the internet to check the catalog of your local library to see if the book you want is available. There is no need to get in the car and pick up said book or return it on time to avoid a late fee. This convenience is worth the expense to many people to buy books compatible with eBook readers.

            Unfortunately, eBooks come at a cost. Consumers need to buy the rights to read the books, but fortunately for the organizations, they are willing to do so. However, this does not fare well for book stores. We have already seen certain Barnes and Noble Bookstores go out of business due to the popularity of eBooks. In cases of textbooks, the electronic version is often less expensive than the hard copy version, which draws many college students towards the transition away from tangible books. I am interested to see if and how long it will take for  public libraries and bookstores to lose their relevance.

J.K. Rowling and the Inspirational Tale

Blog #2

            Genres of  novels range from Romance to Science Fiction to Mystery. Often times, a reader get so wrapped up in the events taking place and characters within the pages that the story of the author is overlooked. One of my long–time favorite series that the Harry Potter series. The author of this blockbuster series, J.K. Rowling, has an inspiring story that is overshadowed by that of her characters'.

            J.K. Rowling's story tells the tale of a struggling single mother who worked hard and reaped the rewards. She was born and grew up in England. In 1992, she moved to Portugal to teach English and met her husband. The couple had a daughter, Jessica, but unfortunately the marriage did not last. After the divorce, J.K. Rowling moved  back to England with Jessica where she could live near her sister. As a mother with a young child, she had nearly no money. She was put on welfare so she could provide for herself and her daughter.  During a train delay at King's Cross Station (a landmark mentioned throughout the series), Rowling came up with the idea for the first Harry Potter novel. She began to write it down on a napkin she had with her. Before long, the first three chapters of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone were drafted on a series of napkins. The novel took J.K. Rowling five years to finish, but she was then able to sell it for $4,000.00, a very helpful amount of money for a single mother on welfare. As the novel gained popularity, she continued to write the series, and make more money to provide for herself and for her daughter.

            Though she no longer was in desperate need of money, J.K. Rowling used her story of overcoming to inspire others. Through letters, the author inspired a young girl named Evanna Lynch, though she is better known to fans as Luna Lovegood, a character from the series. At age 11, Evanna struggled with an eating disorder. She was in and out of rehabilitation centers fighting Childhood Anorexia for years. Evanna wrote to J.K. Rowling while she was sick. In an interview she said, " I wrote to her because Harry Potter was the only other thing I really cared about and that helped me take my mind off it, and I just wanted to thank her for that and say how much it helped me. Especially how much Luna helped me. It was basically just a big fat, “thank you, I love you” letter." She admitted to being surprised when she received a response back from Rowling. Rowling had written her sending encouragement to overcome her challenges and proposing the idea that if she were able to beat her illness, she should audition for the films. This encouraged Evanna to fight back against Anorexia, and later she landed the role of Luna Lovegood, her favorite character.

            Author's do more than create characters and put words on a page for readers to enjoy. They are capable of inspiring and making a difference through the impact their characters have on the lives of the audience.

Benefits of Reading

Blog #1:

            As the title of this blog is "Readers are Leaders," in this inaugural entry I would like to discuss the benefits that I see to come from limiting time in front of the television and maximizing time curling up with a book. As a child watching television was not an option of source of entertainment (unless the Seattle Mariners were playing, of course). My brother, sister and I had the options of going outside to play or to crack open a book. As the weather in Seattle, Washington is not always conducive for outdoor activities, we more often than not found ourselves huddled inside with a blanket and a novel.

            This is something that I am extremely grateful for. Growing up as a reader has enhanced my life in more ways than one. One of the main reasons is that reading at a young age taught me how to focus on a single activity for long periods of time. Society these days cater to short attention spans: 30 second television commercials, 15 second radio advertisements, and even 50 minute college courses. The mind is reaching a point where it begins to lose interest after a short period of time. Even educational discussions and lectures, such as TED talks, are limited to 20 to 30 minutes. In my opinion, one of the reasons why attention spans have shortened is the amount of television that is watched. As programs cater to keeping the interest of the viewer, the minds of the audience are being conditioned to only focus for short amounts of time. As a young reader, my brain focused on a single activity for hours, and as a result my attention span adapted to this. This has continued as the habit of reading has remained in my life. Though I am no longer always reading novels and other things of interest to me, having a longer attention span has allowed me to sit down and focus for extended amounts of time on course material and reading assignments. In theory, this capability has enabled me to retain information, therefore, being more successful. With this idea, it is easy to fall into believing a slippery slope fallacy of reasoning; however, longer attention spans allow students to pay more attention in classes and benefit more out of a class room setting.

            Reading from a young age has helped me grow to love the activity. It is soothing and provides a safe haven in times of stress. Reading has also allowed me to explore many different topics, giving me surface level (at the very least) knowledge about a broad spectrum of things. It is my experience that individuals who enjoy reading are often more knowledgeable about a wider range of topics. This is not to say that those who rather watch television are not knowledgeable; this is simply making an observation of my experiences. This broadened range of knowledge has come in handy for me, particularly when I am making small talk to get to know someone. This summer as an intern, I worked with 3 men all over the age of 40. Initially, I worried about finding a way to connect and converse with my employer and superiors; however, I found that I was able to participate in their discussions to some degree using the little bit of information I had on each topic. This aided significantly in going through the stages of Socialization within the organization.

            I have found that an individual benefits from reading and skills are developed from exercising the mind, rather than lounging in front of the television. Later in life when I have children, I intend on limiting their television time and encouraging them to pick up a novel. This, I hope, will help them develop useful life skills.