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Hidden Intellectualism Analysis

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An Intellectual False Dichotomy Hidden Intellectualism by Gerald Graff, addresses the educational issue in the problem of unlocking a student’s unique intellectual interest and abilities. He believes that the main issue in the approach of education is the false dichotomy between “street-smarts” and academic intelligence. It is demonstrated through his tonal writing, which is littered with criticism of the educational system, yet is fully supportive of education in terms of intellectual growth. Staying true to his stance, Graff constructs his hidden intellectual argument that sticks to an everyday, relatable tone associated with banter without compromising his ideas. Graff begins the text using familiar colloquial terms, such as “street-smart” …show more content…
Graff explains how sports create a community where intellectual ideas could be exchanged. Rival texts and theories in academia are described similarly to team sports with their own “fans”, where it creates an environment where one would enjoy debating with others. This is contrasted with the conventional school culture, where students are isolated from each other due to placing individual competition between students rather than ideas. As Graff puts it, “In this competition, points were scored not by making arguments, but by a show of information or vast reading, by grade-grubbing, or other forms of oneupmanship”. It’s a toxic portrayal, conjuring images of unhealthy competition where students are obsessed with getting the best numbers and grades rather than personal and intellectual growth. This pathos tactic puts sports in a better light to the readers. Expressing that sports is more intellectual than school is a very strange argument in the light of stereotypes, but it works through how the atmosphere of each culture is …show more content…
If nonacademic interests can be a gateway to intellectualism, then it would be more effective to assign material that interests students first before assigning academic writing because it make them more willing to practice reflectivity. Thus, there would be more engagement, which is good for learning. If that argument is correct, then education has loss potential for not agreeing with his stance. It touches upon the feeling of missing out on something, which gives pathos to the audience to be open to believing his argument. By finishing off on a note that calls for change, it encourages the reader to seriously consider his thoughts.
Hidden Intellectualism has been put together as an intellectual piece directed at students and educators alike through the use of anecdotes, ruminations, and famous figures. It may not have the wholly academic tone expected of such a piece, but the tactics are reminiscent of academic rhetoric that is normally taught in schools despite how strongly schools are criticized in the piece. That is why Hidden Intellectualism works as an argumentative piece supportive of a difference academic approach to

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