SWA #1: Writing Concerns

The writing and reading habits of college students are a big concern for professor Michael Skube. Professor Skube’s essay expresses concern and sympathy for today’s students. A major problem he mentions is the fact that students don’t seem to read for pleasure. Another hindrance professor Skube states is a lack of vocabulary with students. I absolutely agree with his claims, as well as finding myself guilty of them. With the alluring draw of television, video games, and facebook it is not hard to see why reading for pleasure has become close to extinct with students. Also, with the growing rate of technological advances college students have produced a whole new language in which extensive vocabulary is unnecessary. Whether it be shortened versions of words through instant messaging or trying to cram a life story into a text message, vocabulary has become increasingly scarce.
After reading Todd Hagstette’s article, I think his idea of aggressive reading would greatly benefit the students described in professor Skube’s essay. Professor Skube’s student’s lack of vocabulary couldn’t help but improve if they simply focused solely on the text. Without the distractions of television in the background or a crowded room the students would be able to concentrate and therefore retain more information. I also think the point of re-reading the text is beneficial. Professor Skube’s students may not be capable of identifying every reference or word in the text the first time through, however they may see the word differently next time or the time after. I had an English teacher that taught The Great Gatsby every year and she said that something new was revealed to her every time she read it. I found that truly amazing and surprisingly true. All of Mr. Hagstette’s points about aggressive reading were very accurate and would serve professor Skube’s students well.