Alyson Arcara EN 102

2/11/10 project 1

Outside on a bright spring day, John Bean is sitting on a splintered and faded wood park bench that had been placed there for years. As he sits there reading the Sunday paper, he is calm and relaxed listening to the birds chirp. Soaking up the suns warm rays that beat down on his aging skin, he feels serene. Amidst the people strolling through the park on their day off with their families, one stranger takes a seat alongside him on the park bench. The two casually and politely greet each other and make small talk about the weather. The stranger introduces himself as Daniel Willingham. Daniel sits back, takes a sip from his ice coffee, the condensation slowly dripping off of it and running down his hand, he admires the various boats on the horizon and those that are docked in the harbor. John seems to be reading a particular article in the paper with pride. Daniel leans in to see what topic has sparked such an interest in Bean. To Daniels discovery, John appears to be reading an article that he had written himself. Thats impressive Daniel says, do you mind if I take a look? John hands over the smooth folded paper. Daniel Willingham rummages with the papers for a second before opening up to read the article entitled Expert Readers. Within the article John Bean makes it a point to share his opinion that there are two types of readers in this world; expert readers and non expert readers. Expert readers keep an open mind while reading a text and are able to see both possible sides of an opinion. This will in the long run benefit them to gain them more knowledge from what is being read. Expert readers are able to question the text and from that create new knowledge and form their own opinions about the topic at hand. They are able to have a conversation with the text by reading the text critically. As Daniel reads this article, author sitting by his side, he portrays facial expressions of both agreement and conflict. His lips purse as he shakes his head back and forth

with opposing thoughts. John, noticing his reaction, says, Well then what is your take on how to properly read and analyze a text? trying to stabilize his voice to not sound rude towards the stranger. Daniel Willingham does not completely disagree with John but varies opinion on the fact that expert readers and non expert readers are the only types. He goes on to explain to the man sharing the bench that mostly all people understand that they should critically read and therefore be able to read as an expert, but being able to do so is a skill that not all can obtain. It is understood that they should be reading critically while analyzing a piece of writing, but unless they are taught properly how to do so and have had enough practice to understand how to do it well, most will not read critically every time. A breeze blows through the park and the newspaper makes a rustling sound and just barely manages to not get caught up in the wind with other pieces of debris from the harbor. Neither seems to notice as they are engulfed in the debate. Shifting closer, John Bean says, Expert readers see themselves in conversations with the texts they approach. Expert readers play two opposing roles: an open-minded believer who can succumb to the texts power and a skeptical doubter who can find weaknesses in the text. In playing these roles, an experienced reader carries on a silent conversation with the texts author." Willingham however adds, Knowing that one should think critically is not the same as being able to do so. That requires domain knowledge and practice. A woman jogging through with her dog overhears the conversation and stops for a water break to join in with the two men. The frisky light brown Yorkshire Terrior puppy pulls hard on its leash. The woman ties the leash to the nearest tree, leaves starting to bloom at the height of the new season. The woman takes a long swig from her Poland Spring water bottle and takes a seat on the freshly cut, soft green grass. I couldnt help but hearing the conversation you were having, I hope you dont mind if I share some of my thoughts, I am Janet Emig she says as she introduces

herself. Reading is creating or re-creating but not originating a verbal construct that is graphically recorded. Both Willingham and Bean agree with her statement. Reading is a creation that we make up in our minds, not memorizing what is being read. When we read, we form our own ideas and theories about the topic, we are not clearly told what to take out from the reading. This is something that no matter what skill or level of critical reader you are, can do while engaging in a text. The young ferocious puppy begins to yelp as a squirrel crosses its path. All three look over and smile. For a moment they sit in silence allowing the sun to glisten on both the water and their bodies. The cool air from the nearby water feels good as Janet wipes away a bead of sweat from her forehead due to exercise. Looking out at the tranquil harbor, a tall crisp looking sailboat maneuvers itself to pull into the dock. Tying the rope and letting down the colossal anchor, the man hops down from the deck of his summer boat and on to the swaying dock covered in green algae. Willingham calls the man over and introduces him to the others, this is my good friend Michael Michalko. The man shakes hands with both men on the bench and Janet stands up to greet the newcomer as well. She unties her dog and the four adults go out for a walk alongside the waters edge. Michael is informed of the previous conversation topic and lets the debate and theories sink in. He ponders his own thoughts as he bends over to adjust his warn in leather boat shoes which from the looks of it appear to have been in use for a few years now. Slowly regaining his posture, Michael chimes in to shed new light on the conversation. He says, in contrast, geniuses think productively, not reproductively. When confronted with a problem, they ask themselves how many different ways they can look at the problem, how they can rethink it, and how many different ways they can solve it, instead of asking how they have been taught to solve it. His theory of the aspect of genius verses expert takes the conversation to a new level beyond

any prior opinions. Janet Emig, although wanting to stay to finish the conversation in which she has now become a key part of, notices her dog becoming antsy, straying from the path and sniffing every plant possible. She says her farewells to the gentlemen and jogs off to continue her way through the park. The three men are left to finish the discussion regarding ways of reading. The banter continues amongst John Bean and Daniel Willingham as Michael Michalko attempts to persuade the men in to seeing his view point on his idea of genius. Michael says, To
creatively solve a problem, the thinker must abandon the initial approach that stems from past experience and re-conceptualize the problem; by not settling with one perspective. John nods his head along with Michaels statement demonstrating his agreement with the wise stranger. They both have a conceptual understanding that whether it is an expert, or a genius, to read creatively and critically requires a skill that only those with a trained brain can do well. Daniel lets out a frustrated and prolonged sigh. A brightly colored beach ball rolls over to the feet of the men; they look down with curiosity to see a girl come running over apologetically. Her long brown hair is flying up in the wind behind her, she is a young woman, fresh faced and absorbing the beautiful day with her friends. Her group of fellow rowdy teens looks impatient as they see her beginning to involve herself in conversation with the men whose path the ball has crossed. I am so sorry! Let me get that ball out of your way, Im Alyson. The gentlemen see this opportunity to ask the younger girl her perspective on the topic, seeing that she is still in school herself, the opinion of the student might have an overall impact on the discussions direction. Daniel Willingham explains the situation to Alyson. She seems to be looking off into the distance and distracted by the waves of the ocean. Fidgeting in place and playing with the metal buttons on her brand new Abercrombie and Fitch shorts, she brainstorms a theory of her own. Pushing the oversized sunglasses away from her face and into her hair as though it was a headband,

Alyson looks up at the tall men who resemble her father, places a hand on her hip and courageously shares her opinion. In hopes of being taken seriously, which is not often, she states, I think that your thoughts can all coexist. It is true that certain people such as experts or geniuses may be better at critically thinking, and yes it may come easier to them, but average people are capable just as well. John, Daniel, and Michael look at each other. training and education on how to properly do so is necessary for most people and putting those skills to use afterwards is key, she continues, it is important for everyone to be able to read this way and it is not limited to who can do so, it is just more obvious who is able to do it more naturally, but with time, creatively and critically reading and thinking can come naturally to anyone. She gives the men a witty smirk then bounces off to her friends who at this point almost gave up hope on their game of catch. The three are left there standing in silence; Bean lets out a chuckle and pats Willingham on the back. No words are spoken but it is mutually understood that the youngest contributor to their debate may have had the most logical approach. Michalko and Willingham shake hands with John, and then the two friends proceed to head to their car to meet the rest of their families for an early dinner at home. John Bean finds himself alone in the park once again, as he had started his day. He unfolds the newspaper, takes one last look at his column, crumples it up into a tight knit ball and shoots a 3 pointer into the nearest trash can. He sits in his usual spot on the old splintered park bench, takes out a pen and paper from his knapsack and begins to write a new column, with a whole new perspective.