Reading Journal- Baker, Liu

1. I think that Baker is writing to anybody that may have a love for something but doesn't know exactly how to express it, such as himself. He loved writing but wasn't sure if that was the right path for him. People may feel like they want to do something but do not know if it is exactly right until they take a chance and try it. The audience is speaking to is that type of person. He's giving them a little push to do what they feel, without being afraid of what may happen. I feel as if he is talking to a person that reminds him of himself.

2. In the last paragraph Baker states how his teacher had "opened a door for me", meaning that he gave him a different outlook on writing. Baker instantly felt as if he could continue writing as a career. Being that his teacher and fellow classmates enjoyed his piece he knew that he had a gift. This is what he is trying to get the audience to understand, the joy that he felt doing something he was so in love with doing. In that moment he had realized what he could do what his talent and what his talent did for others.

3. Bakers overall purpose in the passage is to pursue others to chase what they believe in. He is continuously explaining what he experienced in high school. At a fairly young age he knew what he wanted to do with his life. He loved writing and loved the feeling that it gave him. He also noticed that people around him enjoyed the things that he wrote. He is basically informing his audience about his situation and for them to do what they want and what makes them happy. There is something for everyone to do.

4. I feel like Baker is using an informal tone with his audience. He is making it more relate able for this audience. When Baker says "My words! He was reading my words out loud to the entire class". He is showing his overall excitement. Through out the entire passage he is speaking in first person. If he was speaking in a formal form he wouldn't continuously use "I" and "me".