Question 1. Andrew Burton

Reading literature is a "highly intellectual activity." When we are young, we are taught to read words and then read for enjoyment. At this level, we read for the affect or the emotion. Books can cause us to be happy, sad, mad, etc. Reading can elicit many different emotions. As we get older, we have more experience to draw upon. We have seen more things, read more books, and had more experiences. We are able to read on a higher level. We are no longer just reading the words, but delving into the meaning behind the words. There is a reason the author chose the words that he/she wrote. I believe that this is the "grammar of literature." As the reader, we must discover the meaning behind those words. For example, Foster uses the example of communion in the book. He says that sometimes a "meal is just a meal...more often than not, though, it's not" (7). When I first hear the word "communion", I visualize an action that is taken in church when people partake of the bread and the wine. However, Foster interprets communion as "whenever people ear or drink together" (8). Communion can be seen as a shared experience and also as a time of "sharing and peace" (8). It is important to not just create a visual picture of what the author is describing, but to also look for an underlying message or meaning. The young reader may read about communion, visualize a religious act and move on. The more intellectual reader will dig a little deeper, look for symbolism and more meaning in the characters and how they are interacting during this time of communion. This type of reading is much different from purely affective reading. Most people like to read for enjoyment. They find books to be an escape from "real life" and can find relaxation in kicking back with a good book. However, this is not how to "read like a professor." To "read like a professor", one must be able to assess words, characters, circumstances and look for deeper meaning. They must also rely on their on knowledge of books, characters, and experiences in their lives to draw meaning from what they are reading. When a person can "read like a professor", they will get much more out of the book they are reading. They will be able to learn from it, grow from it, and in some way it may change the way that they look at the world and the people around them.