“Hidden Intellectualism,” written by Gerald Graff, compares the concepts of street smarts and book smarts, and argues that the educational system might be at fault for not encouraging everyone's “intellectualism.” “Intellectualism” is defined as “devotion to the exercise of intellect or to intellectual pursuits.” (Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary). The word intellectualism is often thought to refer to academics and can only be achieve through education, colleges, and a reading list of approved books…
Words 556 - Pages 3
In his essay titled “Hidden Intellectualism”, Gerald Graff questions the traditional academic approach that correlates the school curriculum of colleges and high schools with intelligence. He believes that schools may not be promoting the full potential of students because they rely too much on the academic skills rather than the topics themselves. Schools often focus on test grades, textbook memorization, and interpretation of academic papers to judge intelligence; rather than allow discussion and…
Words 1379 - Pages 6
In Gerald Graff’s Hidden Intellectualism, Graff states that intellectualism does not only exist in the academic world, it also exists in “street smarts”(244). Looking back on his childhood he points out how he did not like academic subjects. He loved sports; reading sports magazines and books written by athletes like Joe Dimaggio. The Chicago neighbourhood he grew up in, anti-intellectualism ruled, and it still does.He was torn “between the need to prove I was smart and the fear of a beating if I…
Words 199 - Pages 1
In his article "Hidden Intellectualism", Gerald Graff (2003)argues that schools and colleges might be at fault for not giving credit to street smarts such as car repair, fashion, ect. He stresses that intellectualism is not based solely on book smarts such as history and arithmetic. Graff shares his story of not understanding the true meaning of intellectualism. He proceeds to describe his acceptance of himself as an intellect. As Graff comes to understand his role as an intellect in sports debate…
Words 502 - Pages 3
In Gerald Graff’s article “Hidden Intellectualism” the author responds to a popular belief that students who do poorly in school are inherently un-intellectual. Graff suggests that this view fails to take note of the “street smarts” many student poses outside of school. He presents the idea that “street smarts” are no less intellectual than academic pursuits done in school but are rarely considered intellectual. Graff summarizes his belief that we have a cultural respect to institutionalized education…
Words 177 - Pages 1
The article Hidden Intellectualism by Gerald Graff, is a alluring article that is begins with an argument based on the difference between “book smarts” and “street smarts” and later transitions to the revelation of the obscure schooling system that is a burden towards intellectualism. Graff is a professor of English and education at the University of Illinois at Chicago, he was also apart of the world's largest professional association of university scholars and teachers. The article is a relatable…
Words 119 - Pages 1
interest of students in what topics in schools have to offer. In his article Hidden Intellectualism, Gerald Graff argues that “street smarts” needs to be acknowledged as a form of intellectualism. Through his article, Graff shows with an example of his personal experience that if teenagers will study topics they like even sports, they can write an intellectual essay and debate about it in an intellectual manner. Moreover, Graff suggests that students who interested more in sports, fashion or music than…
Words 206 - Pages 1
In Gerald Graff’s article “Hidden Intellectualism” he describes exactly how not writing academically can improve one’s writing. He explains how people understand somebody being street savvy where as another person being academically elite. He mentions his previous experience of how he was not concerned in academically reading, but then again without knowing it he was prepping himself towards an academic life. Graff mentions how he used athletics to surpass in academics. Since he was zealous about…
Words 370 - Pages 2
Andrea, Your brief, descriptive judgement of “Hidden Intellectualism” by Gerald Graff is both considerable and persuasive. First, I agree that his tone is both desirable and understanding in the topic of his chronicle. On the other hand, I would have preferred a clearer introduction to determine exactly where the story was going as he shifted in numerous intervals. Second, he demonstrates the importance of exploring intellectually at one’s personal interest to have some expertise in their area of…
Words 145 - Pages 1
In “Hidden Intellectualism”, Gerald Graff argues that educators are at main fault for not developing a way to allow these “street smarts” to apply their unique intellectual abilities in their own educational advancement. Graff supports his argument by stating that intellectualism is not only restricted to those who excel in academia. Secondly, Gerald Graff shares his personal experience with the reader in order to establish that non-school related interests should be incorporated in the academic…
Words 132 - Pages 1