Page 2 § The Vista § April 6, 1989
Viewpoints Reading: Foundation of writing, education By Darl DeVault Guest Writer Reading_ is the foundation of writing. Reading has always been one of the most valuable tools of the educational process. Reading allows us to be transported through space and time, to entirely different areas of the world, to ex a mine
Opinion cultures and concepts that we are not able to examine through any other means. To write well, it certainly helps to have read widely and remember what makes each story or plot unique. A concept you may have learned in your psychology courses is that you and I are a product of our environment. You and I, except for that genuine spark of creativity and insight we have within ourselves, can never be more than what we have been exposed to during our lifetime. If you have not been exposed to our literary heritage, than you can not achieve your full potential. This will reflect in the status you ascribe to in life and your eventual accomplishments.
The Vista (USPS 661-700) Editor in chief Valli Covert Managing Editor Jerry Pierce Sports Editor Mike Sullivan Copy Editor Larry Floyd Advertising Manager Mike Chin John Burruss Paste-up/Circ Artist/Cartoonist April Pederson Artist/Cartoonist John Kidwell Staff Writer Mark Mitchell Staff Writer Kamal Mazlan Mei Pong Staff Writer Staff Writer Randy Anderson Staff Writer Salina Nik Idris Staff Photographer Stan Pollard Director Mark Hanebutt Admin. Pub Dr. Ray Tassin The Vista is published as a teaching instrument for journalism students under the Department of Journalism on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the regular school term, except during examinations and holidays, and on Thursday only during the summer term at 100 N. University Drive, Edmond, Oklahoma 73034-0196. One-year subscription rate $7. Second-class postage paid at Edmond, Okla. "POSTMASTER": Send address change to The Vista, 100 N. University Dr., Edmond, OK 73034-0196.
Letters Letters to the editor are not only welcomed, but encouraged. All letters must be signed, although names will be withheld upon request. Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters must also include the author's address and phone number for verification purposes. The editor reserves the right to edit in order to fit space limitations and to comply with libel laws. Every effort will be made to preserve the integrity of the letter. Address letter to: Editor, The Vista, 100 N. University Drive, Edmond, Okla. 73034-0196 or deliver in person to the editor, Communications Building, room 107. This publication, printed by Central State University Print Shop is issued by Central State University as authorized by Title 70 OS 1981, Section 3903.5000 copies have been prepared and distributed at a cost of $300.
If you think you do not have to know what has been written in the past by others, you are setting yourself up for failure. There is a tremendous legacy of brilliant insight into the human condition. It has been passed down to us through the works of individuals writing about what went on in their day and time. You have to familiarize yourself with good literature, if you expect to be able to have creative insight into mankind's struggle to survive. This insight is necessary to write something of literary value, and it certainly helps to have read and be familiar with the many literary themes that have been explored before. Only by reading a diverse crosssection of our literary heritage do we make the all-important first step in becoming a good and effective writer. You can not write anything of real content, of any real spark of creativity, until you have absorbed the basics. You learn your craft by reading the works of those singularly gifted men and women who, as writers, have come before you. You have to pay your dues by becoming a student of the craft, and the only way to do that is to read widely, and I am not talking about Stephen King novels. A good example of a valuable book that is not a classic, but distills everything of our cultural literacy into one very readable format is a book by E.D. Hirsch, Jr., published in 1987 titled "Cultural Literacy" with the subtitle "What every American needs to know." If you have already established a program of reading important works of literature you can test your progress by using the list at the back of the book called "What Literate Americans Know." It is possible to matriculate through the system, make your 4.0 grade point average, and, finally, after graduation find the time to read the literary masterpieces, as I have outlined above. Be forewarned however, you need this skill to express yourself or to amplify whatever particular subject you have chosen to be your life's work or field of expertise. If you decide to write after college, it will be difficult to find the time to read as extensively as you can now. To have read the classics, and to have appreciated all types of good writing is the greatest confidence builder any writer can achieve. I reach back and use the words of a brilliant man, John C. Mills who said, "For every artist with something to say but the inability to say it well, there are two who could say something well, if they had something to say." Don't be caught in the latter group. Start now—even if you just find the time to finish one book a month. Develop a lifelong learning pattern now, while you have plenty of support in this university community.
‘11 Writer says,
Students gypped by Nigh To the Editor: Of all the "important" issues so thoroughly covered in The Vista, it has surprised me that no one to date has criticized our illustrious scholar-in-residence (former) Gov. George Nigh about his obvious political motives concerning the Nigh Institute of Government. While it is always a worthy endeavor to have such an
Letter experienced person at our service here, it strikes me as contemptable that at the recent "Salute to Congress," barely one-sixth of the attendees were either faculty or students of our university. One would think, nay hope, that the students of CSU would warrant greater consideration than this. While patronizing dinners such as these have always been a staple of good-ol'-boy politics here in Oklahoma, to bring it right here on our campus is a shame. I know that there are more than 100 government and or political science students attending school here. Were their interests thought of? Naturally, no. Most of us in college never get to see or hear any of our state leaders in person unless we (1) pay huge per-plate prices at a fundraiser or (2) happen to work in that particular politician's campaign. Governor, give us a break. If it was a one-shot deal, it might lessen my feelings, but the students were recently taken advantage of again when the chairman of the board you serve on at
J.C. Penney came to campus. From what I gather, out of 60 tables at the "event," there was to be one student per table. How generous!! My thinking would suggest that the future business leaders of our state, not the current ones, would derive a greater benefit from this experience.
We all recognize the fact that you chose CSU over other institutions, and that yes, your contributions to this school are many. However, please, if your political base needs shoring up, do it somewhere else besides our campus. Raymond May
Coen wants students to contact legislators To the Editor: It is hard to believe that this school term is going to come to a close very soon. My position as student body president is also coming to an end. I have had many opportunities to work for the students of CSU. Below are issues that are important to all students at CSU. Higher education—quality. Recently, Governor Bellmon declared Feb. 22, Higher Education Day • in the State of Oklahoma. On that day, myself and several other campus leaders from across the State of Oklahoma met with the legislators to lobby for funding for Higher Education. I realize that no one is happy with the recent tuition increases, but as leaders we have to be concerned with the future. Tuition increases matched by a significantly greater state appropriation is the key to bringing the system of Higher Education up off the bottom. I urge you to write your legislator and tell them how you feel about their needed commitment to quality education. In addition, we will soon be starting a campaign to get as many CSU students to send letters
to their legislators as possible. We have the letter ready to go. All that a student has to do is tell us what county they are from and the letters will be printed and the student can sign them. My goal is to have 2,500 letters sent from CSU students. In mid-April, campus leaders from across the state will be hand delivering these letters. This is something that every student needs to be concerned with and actively involved with. Should you have any questions or want to start with the letters, call or come by the Student Association office, in Room 424E of University Center or call ext. 3337. Applications are available now and the elections are scheduled for April 5th. I urge every CSU student to get involved with the Student Association. In closing, I would like to say that the Student Association is continuing to request money to fund campus organization and will keep doing so until the day that we receive that money. Please, if you have the opportunity, talk with an administrator and explain the needs of your organization. Lisa S. Coen
