Sticks and Stones Make Break My Bones, but Words Will Never Hurt Me.
Leslie Sazue
English 92A
Essay #1
2-7-13
Finding A Trail
“Finding a trail” is an essay from author David Cavitch’s book Life Studies: An Analytic
Reader in which he wants good readers to become good writers. Cavitch believes we
have to read intellectually, imaginative, and analytically to get a clear perception and firm
emotional response. Reading and writing are acquired abilities that no one is born with.
The basic premise of analysis is that style and form work together with ideas and
emotions. So to keep track of these, a reader has to be systematic, and the full analysis
must accumulate step by step. A reader should be able to focus their attention and give
an essay your undivided attention while you discover and express spoken inflections to
the writing. You should always approach a selection with the intention to read it word by
word. You are not reading for the broad outline or vague gist of what is said, but gasp
the full substance, both explicit and implicit, and to see how the essay is developed. You
should begin with the title because the title is part of the essay, be aware of what the title
tells you are leads you to expect. All titles are worth reconsidering after you know where
the whole essay leads. Continue your analytic methods as you move through the essay.
Underline or circle whatever sounds important as you read, circle words you don’t
understand so you can try to figure out what they mean from the context. Write from the
margins; you will come back to them too. Readers and writers learn a great deal from
using the dictionary constantly. A reader should begin reading with good intentions to
read analytically but find that your attention is waning and your mind wandering.
Don’t succumb to passivity reading pages without noting or remembering what they are
about, try to put the author’s point into your words, even if you doubt or don’t like
English 92A
Essay #1
2-7-13
Finding A Trail
“Finding a trail” is an essay from author David Cavitch’s book Life Studies: An Analytic
Reader in which he wants good readers to become good writers. Cavitch believes we
have to read intellectually, imaginative, and analytically to get a clear perception and firm
emotional response. Reading and writing are acquired abilities that no one is born with.
The basic premise of analysis is that style and form work together with ideas and
emotions. So to keep track of these, a reader has to be systematic, and the full analysis
must accumulate step by step. A reader should be able to focus their attention and give
an essay your undivided attention while you discover and express spoken inflections to
the writing. You should always approach a selection with the intention to read it word by
word. You are not reading for the broad outline or vague gist of what is said, but gasp
the full substance, both explicit and implicit, and to see how the essay is developed. You
should begin with the title because the title is part of the essay, be aware of what the title
tells you are leads you to expect. All titles are worth reconsidering after you know where
the whole essay leads. Continue your analytic methods as you move through the essay.
Underline or circle whatever sounds important as you read, circle words you don’t
understand so you can try to figure out what they mean from the context. Write from the
margins; you will come back to them too. Readers and writers learn a great deal from
using the dictionary constantly. A reader should begin reading with good intentions to
read analytically but find that your attention is waning and your mind wandering.
Don’t succumb to passivity reading pages without noting or remembering what they are
about, try to put the author’s point into your words, even if you doubt or don’t like