Instructions: Answer the following questions related to David Bartholomae’s “Inventing the University”; these questions are designed to get you thinking about understanding the text, and designed to get you thinking about the value of the text:
How would you define “appropriate” or “appropriated by” in the context of Bartholomae’s writing?
What does Bartholomae mean by a “specialized discourse”?
What is the goal of a beginning student entering into a “specialized discourse”?
How would you define “the role of privilege” in a “specialized discourse”?
Why do you think reading this is important for you to understanding writing, and how might you use this essay in developing your Formal Essay?
The correct answer and explanation is :
David Bartholomae’s essay “Inventing the University” explores how students must learn to write within academic discourse communities by adopting specialized language and ways of thinking. Below are the answers to the given questions with a 300-word explanation:
- Definition of “appropriate” or “appropriated by” in Bartholomae’s context:
Bartholomae uses “appropriate” to describe how students must take on and use the language and conventions of academic discourse. “Appropriated by” suggests that students are not simply borrowing language but must fully integrate themselves into an academic community, taking on its voice and assumptions as if they naturally belong. - Meaning of “specialized discourse” in Bartholomae’s essay:
A specialized discourse refers to the unique language, conventions, and knowledge frameworks that define a particular academic or professional field. Each discipline has its own way of structuring arguments, using terminology, and forming ideas, and students must learn to engage with these discourse practices. - Goal of a beginning student entering a specialized discourse:
The primary goal is for students to adopt the language and thought processes of a given discipline to communicate effectively within it. This requires learning not only the vocabulary but also the rhetorical strategies, assumptions, and conventions expected in that academic field. - The role of privilege in a specialized discourse:
Privilege in specialized discourse refers to the advantage experienced by those who already understand or have been exposed to academic conventions. Students from academic backgrounds may have an easier time integrating into university discourse, while others may struggle to gain access to these intellectual communities. - Importance of reading Bartholomae’s essay for understanding writing:
Bartholomae’s essay is crucial because it highlights the challenges of academic writing and the necessity of adopting the discourse of the university. By understanding this, students can be more conscious of their writing development and work towards mastering academic conventions. This essay can help develop a formal essay by providing insight into how to craft arguments, engage with scholarly sources, and write with authority in a specialized discourse.