"Introduction" and "Coming to Terms"

From my reading of Joseph Harris’ Rewriting, I have developed an understanding of his theory about being “generous but critical” in the act of reading and writing. In his chapter “Introduction,” Harris immediately points out that intertextutal reading and writing are almost always evident in the works of intellectuals. In the account of an intellectual, reading involves many practices such as defining the work of others into his/her language, interpreting the information, taking a stance, and the like while writing pertains to acts such as pushing a concept in a different direction, adding onto, and/or opposing the work. Harris believes that intellectuals often integrate intertextuality into their reading and writing because intellectuals’ creativity takes root in their surroundings which includes the television, news, music, and readings. Therefore, they tend to reuse, respond, and rewrite the works of others (Harris, 2).

Harris’ second chapter “Coming to Terms” reveals how an intellectual should make sense of texts. Harris says, “There is no such thing as a completely accurate and objective summary, a view from nowhere” (Harris, 15). By this, he means that a text will have a slightly different meaning to different readers because a reader’s understanding of a text is influenced by his/her own experiences and concern ,thereby, giving a reader a perception of their own. Whether a reader agrees with a text or not, Harris prompts him/her to be fair by paying attention to details and taking a generous account of the reading. A reader can be critical by thoroughly explaining why he/she views a text in a particular way.

Harris and Sullivan see the technical procedures such as punctuations, quotations, and citing works to be important aspects of writing. However, their focus on rewriting/blogging suggests that developing thoughts and ideas in an organized manner are critical because capturing the initial response to a work portrays a reader’s most honest response. Over thinking and focusing on the technicalities of writing may cause one to be blinded by the true intentions of reading and writing.