Gerald Graff Hidden Intellectualism Summary

When you are book smart you are subject to just the book knowledge. Being street smart however, what is learned can be applied in real life. Book smart creates the groundwork to becoming successful, but the way success is developed depends on street smarts. In his essay “Hidden Intellectualism,” Gerald Graff describes that students would be “more prone to take on intellectual identities if we encouraged them to do so at first on subjects that interest them rather than ones that interest us” (265). He implies that this form of intellectualism is covered in under the mask of typical discussions about fashion, sports, pop-stars and many other aspects. There are some students who aren’t so great academically but are awesome in extra-curricular …show more content…
I agree with Graff that schools should implement social issues and current issues within the topics being taught at school. Graff stated, “Students do not need to read models of intellectually challenging writing—and Orwell is a great one—if they are to become intellectuals themselves.” (265) Using topics of interest will peak the attentiveness and concentration of their students, which will encourage them to be better in all aspects and create their finest work. However, If and when institutes were to apply sports and entertainment into their courses, details about sports and entertainment should be picked apart that would benefit the student on what is being taught. Graff stated, “When you entered sport debates, you became part of a community that was not limited to your family and friends, but was national and public.”(268). Sports is a topic that is discussed by people who know exactly what they are talking about. If someone doesn’t know a lot about sports, they cannot really say much. Sports is not an area where everyone knows about it. Different people surely have different