2.3: A Close Reading Example
Aaron Tucker and Paul Chafe
Let’s Look at a Close Reading Example
Watch the video below to see the key steps in gathering evidence from the essay “The Plot to Privatize Common Knowledge” by David Bollier. It may be useful for you to review the essay before watching the video.
Identifying Key Words and Phrases
Interesting words or phrases |
common good
managing creations of the mind useful arts public meaning cultural meaning corporate obsession ecologically and ethically dubious fundamental knowledge over-patenting |
New words or phrases |
market fundamentalismruckus
avarice clampdown culture-jammers trademark dilution privatization of words cultural commons land rush biopiracy anti-commons |
Patterns and synonyms |
Corporate control: crude, anti-social instruments of control and avarice; bullying; alarming expansion of copyright lawCreepy control: managing creations of the mind; useful arts; privatization of words
Theft: land rush; biopiracy; anti-commons What’s at stake: modern culture; common good; fundamental knowledge Money: robust, innovative and competitive marketplace; monopoly; markets Market jargon: Market Fundamentalism; trademark dilution; market value Be nice!: sharing; collaboration; public good |
Contrasts |
intellectual property rights v. “theft” and “piracy”
useful v. useless big business v. new voices commercial v. non-commercial claim v. inheritance barriers v. sharing patent v. collaboration private property v. public good deter v. encourage elusive v. secure New opportunities v. monopoly Commons v. markets |
