Lit. as your E.Q. coach
Another reason for doing Lit. is really to learn to read people's minds, to step into other people's shoes. And that would increase your emotional quotient. A high E.Q, in turn, means you are going to
nail that important interview for the much sought-after job,
figure out what that last comment or action meant ('is he/she
interested in me?"),
exceed expectations in a project,
secure serious sales targets in future,
make more friends, and most importantly,
size people up more quickly and accurately
The skills you cultivate in the study of Literature grow on you slowly but decidedly. Tends to be that those who do well as copywriters did well in Lit.. That hot-shot public relations manager you saw on TV, what do you think gave him the confidence to take on that high-pressure job? What about TV hosts like Oprah Winfrey and Diana Ser? Where did they learn the fine art of talking to complete strangers and getting them to tell them everything they want to know? It is no coincidence that Oprah is really a book lover too - her reviews are able to move mountains in the book publishing world.
What about the Nic Robertsons of the "hard" news world? Bet you he had solid grades in Lit.. You want to be an actor? What makes some actors unforgettable while others are rushing to cash in on all the endorsement deals they can get before age catches up with them? I ask too many silly questions...
Reading thoughtfully and analysing perceptively what you read is the ultimate vicarious experience. That is, before Discovery's Travel and Living channel beamed experiences in other lands and cultures right into our homes. But if you want to understand what makes people tick, you can do two things and trust me I am familiar with both - be a remisier or take Literature seriously. I am quite sure the former is not for everyone.
Back now to tips: Remember I mentioned in an earlier posting that you have to read the text with your right brain but study it with your left? Simply put, it means you have to see and hear the entire experience of the "story". There were quite a number of excellent teachers in the past who were purists who did not allow students to watch any film production of a play before they read it. I used to be like that, but I have since changed. Our environment is so media-rich with images that we just can't ignore that the new way of doing things is to see it for ourselves. Hence the popularity of reality TV. So if you can't get a video, cast the characters yourself. If it is Kirsten Dunst that keeps you interested in Hamlet, make her your Ophelia. If Usher is your thing, make the man your Othello. Ricky Martin by some stretch as Mark Antony? You can re-cast anytime if it does not work at first. Heath Ledger as Boo Radley? Ugh! And if you are enjoying Roald Dahl stories like my daughter is, watch an episode of Midsomer Murders. I guarantee you will be able to cast your characters quite easily after that.
Once you can produce the whole story in your mind, now you are ready to act like the director and study each character. But more of that another post.
nail that important interview for the much sought-after job,
figure out what that last comment or action meant ('is he/she
interested in me?"),
exceed expectations in a project,
secure serious sales targets in future,
make more friends, and most importantly,
size people up more quickly and accurately
The skills you cultivate in the study of Literature grow on you slowly but decidedly. Tends to be that those who do well as copywriters did well in Lit.. That hot-shot public relations manager you saw on TV, what do you think gave him the confidence to take on that high-pressure job? What about TV hosts like Oprah Winfrey and Diana Ser? Where did they learn the fine art of talking to complete strangers and getting them to tell them everything they want to know? It is no coincidence that Oprah is really a book lover too - her reviews are able to move mountains in the book publishing world.
What about the Nic Robertsons of the "hard" news world? Bet you he had solid grades in Lit.. You want to be an actor? What makes some actors unforgettable while others are rushing to cash in on all the endorsement deals they can get before age catches up with them? I ask too many silly questions...
Reading thoughtfully and analysing perceptively what you read is the ultimate vicarious experience. That is, before Discovery's Travel and Living channel beamed experiences in other lands and cultures right into our homes. But if you want to understand what makes people tick, you can do two things and trust me I am familiar with both - be a remisier or take Literature seriously. I am quite sure the former is not for everyone.
Back now to tips: Remember I mentioned in an earlier posting that you have to read the text with your right brain but study it with your left? Simply put, it means you have to see and hear the entire experience of the "story". There were quite a number of excellent teachers in the past who were purists who did not allow students to watch any film production of a play before they read it. I used to be like that, but I have since changed. Our environment is so media-rich with images that we just can't ignore that the new way of doing things is to see it for ourselves. Hence the popularity of reality TV. So if you can't get a video, cast the characters yourself. If it is Kirsten Dunst that keeps you interested in Hamlet, make her your Ophelia. If Usher is your thing, make the man your Othello. Ricky Martin by some stretch as Mark Antony? You can re-cast anytime if it does not work at first. Heath Ledger as Boo Radley? Ugh! And if you are enjoying Roald Dahl stories like my daughter is, watch an episode of Midsomer Murders. I guarantee you will be able to cast your characters quite easily after that.
Once you can produce the whole story in your mind, now you are ready to act like the director and study each character. But more of that another post.
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