Exploring the Benefits of Hidden Intellectualism: A Review of “They Say, I Say”
Do you ever feel like your intellect is hidden, and you never get the opportunity to showcase it? Most people believe that only the traditional academic institutions expose people to the necessary knowledge to contribute to the intellectual discourse. However, “They Say, I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing” by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein articulates how hidden intellectualism is an essential tool to improve the quality of academic writing and intellectual discourse.
The Importance of Hidden Intellectualism
Graff and Birkenstein highlight that intellectualism is not just a product of formal education. Instead, every individual has hidden potential that can contribute to the intellectual discourse of society. Graff argues that by cultivating hidden intellectualism, individuals who may not have access to traditional academic opportunities can still contribute to the intellectual discourse.
The book emphasizes that hidden intellectualism is not anti-intellectualism. Instead, it is intellectualism that is hidden under various forms of popular culture, such as music, fashion, and sports. These forms of culture are often dismissed as lacking intellectual depth, but in reality, they contain their own intellectual conversations and analyses that individuals can learn to articulate.
The Benefits of Hidden Intellectualism
According to Graff, hidden intellectualism can benefit the academic discourse in various ways. First, it expands the pool of intellectual potential in society and allows traditionally marginalized groups to participate in the intellectual conversation. Second, it provides a platform to those whose interests and talents may lie outside of academia.
Moreover, hidden intellectualism can help individuals learn how to articulate their ideas and opinions using academic language. By recognizing the intellectual conversations present in popular culture, individuals can learn how to deconstruct, analyze and articulate their ideas in a more formal setting.
Examples of Hidden Intellectualism
One of the essential examples of hidden intellectualism is hip hop music. Graff argues that hip hop music is not anti-intellectual; instead, it contains its own complex form of analysis and expression that can contribute to the intellectual discourse. Through analyzing the lyrics and themes in hip hop music, individuals can learn how to articulate their ideas and opinions better.
In the same vein, sports can be used as a form of hidden intellectualism. By analyzing the strategies and techniques employed by athletes, individuals can develop cognitive skills and learn to see analogies between sports and other forms of intellectual activity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Graff and Birkenstein’s book is a reminder that every individual has the potential to contribute to the intellectual discourse of society. Hidden intellectualism is not just limited to traditional academic institutions, but can also be found in popular culture. By recognizing and cultivating hidden intellectualism, individuals can improve their academic writing while expanding the pool of intellectual potential in society.
