Thursday, June 23, 2011

Good Readers and Good Writers Introduction and Conclusion

There are a few methods of introduction in Good Readers and Good Writers. A method of introduction is the way the essay starts. There are six methods of introduction are: The Funnel Method, Defining a Word or Phrase, Asking Questions, Turn About, Using an Anecdote, and Using Quotations(Gulat 1). each of these method makes an essay one of a kind.


The introduction of Good Readers and Good Writers is organized by quotations. We know this because in the first paragraph the author quotes the following remark "What a scholar one might be if one knew well only some half a dozen books." (Nabokov 1). He uses a quote to describe how good readers and good writers should be.


The beginning of this essay also asks lots of questions. The questions give the reader an idea of what the essay is going to be about. "Can we except to glean information about places and times of a novel?" (Nabokov 1). This tells the reader that the author questions certain items in a novel. "but what about masterpieces?" (Nabokov 1) The reader can see the author questions classic writing styles.


Throughout the essay the author tries to define what a good reader and good writer should be. He gives a quiz to see if students have the requirements. He has the student chose the four out of the ten choices that make a good reader and writer.(Nabokov 2) He uses the thesis to define what it takes to be a good reader and good writer. The reader can see that Nabokov wants people to understand how to be a good reader and good writer.


The conclusion is characterized in a different way. It ends with the author explaining the four keys to being a good writer. There is not a real conclusion paragraph. I think that this makes the essay a little more unique.


Gulat, Zeliha. "Writing Introduction." Essay Development Exercise. Apr. 2005. Web. 14 June 2011..



Nabokov, Vladimir. "Good Readers and Good Writers." Lectures on Literature. New York: Plurabelle Books, 1946

Good Readers and Good Writers Author's Authority

The author's authority as a writer means he or she gets to make the decisions about the essay or novel. The author decides the plot, climax, point of view, the characters, setting and much more. The author chooses the content that goes in the essay. The author's authority ,or ability, as a writer makes the essay or novel creative.


Vladimir Nabokov, the author of this essay, chose the point of view. He told this essay from a first person view. We know exactly what he wants us to know. The story is from his perspective. We know this is a first person essay words such as "I" and "me". On page two he says, "I suggested a little quiz"(Nabokov 2) and on page three he says ''I think" (Nabokov 3). By making this a first person point of view the reader can relate directly to the author and somewhat understand what their personal purpose is.


The author is in charge of the most important thing, the plot. The author decides what goes in the essay or novel . The plot is important because it is the basis for the whole story. The plot consists of the characters, setting, action and the climax. It is the main story. The plot tells the reader important information such as what the characters are doing. The plot relates to thesis and tells the reader why the topic is important. The plot includes information and details that make the story more enjoyable and informative. On page 2 the author provides a little quiz. He asks the reader to name the four things that make a good reader out of a list of ten. (Nabokov 2). This is important to the plot because it provides a little bit of fun and information. This was a good decision from the author.


The author's authority is very important to the story. Without the author's ideas and abilities there would be no story.


Nabokov, Vladimir. "Good Readers and Good Writers." Lectures on Literature. New York: Plurabelle Books, 1946

Good Readers and Good Writers My Reaction

When I first read this essay my reaction was emotional. I thought the comments he said were offensive and inconsiderate but after reading the essay numerous times I discovered the authors point was to how readers and writers to understand novels in a different way. An example of this is on the first page of the essay. The author says, "Can anybody be so naive as to think he or she can learn anything about the past from those buxom best-sellers that are hawked around by book clubs under the heading of historical novels" (Nabokov 1). When I first read this essay I found this comment rude and offensive to readers who read best sellers and those in book clubs. Now I understand his point was to tell readers they need to read on different levels and look between the lines to find the real meaning of the novel and apply it in their writings. After readers find the meaning they can approve their writing skills and add to great literature. These points tie in with the thesis statement. I also found “Can we really rely on Jane Austen’s picture of landowning England with baronets and landscaped grounds when all she knew was the clergyman’s parlor" (Nabokov 1) a very offensive comment. I thought he was criticizing her work and not giving a good reason why. I realize now that his comment was true. Readers cannot really rely on one woman's work for all of England's literature. I do however think the tone of the observation was a little harsh but I understand the point of the remark. When first reading the I saw he used the words "should" and "must" many times. For example "One should notice fondle details" (Nabokov 1) and "He must create himself"(Nabokov 1). I found it annoying and not necessary. I understand that he had to use the words "should" and "must" to inform readers and writers of the necessary elements of becoming good readers and writers. I know now that my reaction to the essay is a logical reaction.


Nabokov, Vladimir. "Good Readers and Good Writers." Lectures on Literature. New York: Plurabelle Books, 1946

Good Readers and Good Writers Essay Organization

Essay organization is very important to the flow and overall message of the essay. Organization makes the essay easier to complete and easier to understand. There are many ways to organize essays. Good Readers and Good Writers is organized by spatial organization. Spatial organization is when the essays refer to describing items based on their location and relation to other items. They help compare similar items and help with the details.


This essay starts with talking about being a good reader. The essay then goes into talking about being a good writer. Both items relate to one another which gives the thesis, you must be a good writer to be a good reader and to be a good writer you must be a good reader. There are examples of this all over the essay. One example is on page two. Nabokov talks about the four keys to be a good reader, then goes to page three and talks about each individual key and how it relates to becoming a good reader and good writer. (Nabokov 2 and 3) He also talks about three writing keys and explains them. He also relates them to how they help people become a better reader. (Nabokov 4) This shows relation and the comparison of similar items which makes the origination of this essay a spatial organization.


Essay organization is very important and helps your essay writing. This essay is very organized and relates to the topic very well.


Nabokov, Vladimir. "Good Readers and Good Writers." Lectures on Literature. New York: Plurabelle Books, 1946

Good Readers and Good Writer Passages That Capture My Attention

There are many passages in Good Readers and Good Writers that arouse my attention. I believe that most of these passages can be taken it provoking perspectives. Some are personal emotional perspectives here the reader may feel offended or feel the author was rude. The reader may have a rational perspective. Which means the reader may agree with the comments or believe they are clever ideas. The passages may be a mixture of both personal emotions and rational emotions. They may be clever ideas but have a rude tone to them. I personally find many of his paragraphs insulting and bigheaded but I also find some of them intelligent and helpful.



Many of Nabokov's passages capture my attention in a personal way. Nabokov says, "Can anybody be so naïve as to think he or she can learn anything about the past from those buxom best-sellers that are hawked around by book clubs under the heading of historical novels.” (Nabokov 1) I find this comment rude. It seems Nabokov is complaining about how people do not learn anything from best sellers. I believe it doesn’t matter if a person reads a best seller or a ten page essay, they can still learn a valuable lesson from it. I do not see why book clubs have anything to do with a book not having good information. In fact, I do not see why this question is necessary. Nabokov is says many things in this essay that can be taken in a offensive or hurtful way. This turns me away from the essay and turns other readers away as well.



I do, however, believe some parts of this essay are thought provoking and interesting. Like I have said in previous blogs, Nabokov believes a good reader should have imagination, a good memory, a dictionary, and some artistic sense. (Nabokov 2) These are good points and do help with reading and writing. The overall meaning of the essay, which is to be a good reader you need to be a good writer and to be a good writer you need a good reader, is a great point and I may use it to improve my literature skills. He also has a list of three important facets of a good writer: magic, story, and lesson (Nabokov 4) I believe these are good points and may help someone become a good writer.



On page one, Nabokov also criticizes Jane Austen’s work. He says, “Can we really rely on Jane Austen’s picture of landowning England with baronets and landscaped grounds when all she knew was the clergyman’s parlor” (Nabokov 1) It sounds like he is saying Jane Austen knew only one thing therefore her information cannot be relied upon. However he may be making an accurate point. Maybe he is asking is her knowledge really not the correct idea on England. This information is a mixture of personal and rational perspectives. To some it may be accurate and to others it may feel rude.



Overall I believe that Vladimir Nabokov brings up good points but is too offensive and harsh with his word selection.



Nabokov, Vladimir. "Good Readers and Good Writers." Lectures on Literature. New York: Plurabelle Books, 1946

Good Readers and Good Writers Rhetorical Device

A rhetorical device is a technique that an author or speaker uses to convey to the listener or reader a meaning with the goal of persuading him or her towards considering a topic from a different perspective. An example of a rhetorical device in Good Readers and Good Writers is the point of view. This essay is told in first person which means the story is told by the author’s point of view. We only know what the narrator knows. This can be an advantage to the reader because we know exactly what the author wants us to know. On page 3 the author tells us a personal quiz he made up to see is a person knew what a good reader was. He tells us a reader must have a good memory, imagination, a dictionary, and some artistic sense. (Nabokov 2) In addition Nabokov gives us his personal opinion about artistic sense. He says, “Which sense I propose to develop in myself and in others whenever I have the chance” (Nabokov 2) Nabokov is telling the reader he wants to develop in artistic sense more. The reader can see points of view throughout the essay many times.


Rhetorical Questions are also asked throughout the essay. A rhetorical question is when the speaker asks a question but it does not necessarily ask a yes or no question. These questions are usually used to provoke or emphasize the readers mind. The author asks, “Can we expect to glean information about places and times from a novel?” (Nabokov 1) Nabokov was not asking the reader to answer the question by saying yes or no but by asking the question to provoke ides and to prove a point. On the third page of the essay Nabokov asks “So what is the authentic instrument to be used by the reader” (Nabokov 3) He goes on to answer the question himself. Rhetorical devices create literal effects and help the author prove his or her essay and topic.


Nabokov, Vladimir. "Good Readers and Good Writers." Lectures on Literature. New York: Plurabelle Books, 1946

Good Readers and Good Writers Authors Tone

The author's tone, or attitude, seems critical and somewhat harsh, although his words are actually informative and direct. He questions the classic works of Jane Austen. He says, "Can we really rely on Jane Austen's picture of landowning England with baronets and landscaped grounds when all she knew was a clergyman's parlor?"( Nabokov 2) He questions a great author who is a significant contributor to the literary field. Not only does Nabokov critique Austen's work, but he also criticizes the author's knowledge. His criticism comes off as very harsh and rude to many readers including me. Vladimir Nabokov, the author, purpose may not have been to criticize others work but it comes off a harsh way. It may take away readers because of critical comments.


The author states repeatedly that the reader should pay attention to detail and re-reading a writing numerous times. (Nabokov 2) It shows the author wants the reader to appreciate the writing. This proves he is informative and direct. Another example of the author being knowledgeable is when he lists the three parts of becoming a great writer; magic, story, and lesson. He goes on to explain why each of these parts helps a person become a great writer. (Nabokov 4) This shows that Nabokov is trying to help people become better writers.


The reader can see that Vladimir Nabokov is a intelligent man with good reading and writing skills. His tone seems critical but after reading the essay more than once the reader can see he is trying to be informative and helpful.


Nabokov, Vladimir. "Good Readers and Good Writers." Lectures on Literature. New York: Plurabelle Books, 1946


Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Good Readers and Good Writers Thesis

The thesis or main point of Good Readers and Good Writers is to be a good reader you must be a good writer and to be a good writer you must be a good reader. The thesis is in the information of the essay, which leads it to be a implicit thesis. An implicit thesis is when you do not make it an obvious main point in the essay instead of saying the thesis in the begin of an essay. The thesis statement develops through the content of your essay rather than being said obviously. The implicit thesis is proved throughout the essay many times. The first page of Good Readers and Good Writers says "In reading, one should notice the fondle details. " (Nabokov 1) The paragraph goes on with an overall message that says when reading we must understand and comprehend the writing. The essay says, "to be a good reader the reader must have imagination, memory, a dictionary, and some artistic sense." (Nabokov 2) The reader must comprehend these four keys to understand the reading and understand writing. Once a person can understand the concept of reading and writing they can use it to produce other works of art. The thesis of Good Readers and Good Writers flows throughout the essay.


Nabokov, Vladimir. "Good Readers and Good Writers." Lectures on Literature. New York: Plurabelle Books, 1946