Bartholomae & Haas

“Authors create texts and readers read texts in a complex of social relationships, motivated by goals sanctioned (or not) by the surrounding culture, to achieve purposes that are always in the broadest sense persuasive.” (358)

In this (somewhat) simple quote, Haas is basically describing the complex relationship that exists between an author and their reader. The author has motives within his writing that he wants to get across the readers. The reader also has his own motives when reading the text and has the job to challenge the author’s goals or believe, or even add to them. Through this “conversation” ideas are being expelled from the author to the reader.

Bartholomae adds to Haas’ text by stating, “A writers idea’s or his motives must be tailored to the needs and expectations of his audience. A writer has to “build bridges” between his point of view and his readers. He has to anticipate and acknowledge his reader’s assumptions and biases” (515).

In order to have a “two sided” conversation, Bartholomae is stating here that it is imperative to realize that the audience will have their own ideas on the subject before reading the text. Culture shapes that way people think and Bartholomae knows that persuasion can only occur if both sides are brought out in the conversation. The author must understand who they are talking to and who they are trying to persuade. The author must enter the “conversation” with the reader prepared to acknowledge what they know. By showing both sides to every situation, the author is not only having a social relationship with the culture, but is also creating a relationship with reader, acknowledging the fact that their ideas do matter. Without showing both sides, authority is certainly lost and the conversation begins to fade.