Answer:
The author seems to display a certain frustration with how he was taught to be in school, and how that educational system still hinders the potential of young people to explore their own intellectuality. The author also seems slightly sarcastic when talking about the current educational system. Graff questions the validity of education systems in general, which tend to value well-know literary text more than any other type of media. He proposes that it is possible to develop one's intellectualism effectively even without the standard texts used for teaching, like Plato and Shakespeare. The author suggests that if students will not engage with the texts generally studied in schools, then schools should encourage them to pursue works they are legitimately passionate about. This makes a lot of sense to readers, and strengthens Graff's argument. Graff gives several examples of situations readers are likely to have experienced in real life, or suggests ideas readers have likely thought about before. This helps the reader identify with the subject on a personal level, and engages them effectively in the discussion.
Explanation:
You don't have to use all of this but this is what I got out of it. I hope this helped. Do tell.