Merriam-Webster's online dictionary simply defines the word "literacy" as "the ability to read and write". This definition isn't good enough for two reasons: 1) it's not complex enough, and 2) I'm told that I have a 250 word requirement for this blog. Literacy is more about comprehending than it is reading and writing. One part of How to Read Literature Like a Professor that stuck with me in particular is during the introduction of the book, when Foster refers to literary analysis as reading through "glasses". These glasses represent how readers think when they read literature, but it's not as simple as picking up a pair of eye-wear.
In order to be literate, you first need to know how to read. That part is easy, though. To be literate doesn’t mean being able to read a sentence and make sense of it, (though that is step one), it’s being able read between the lines and see the bigger picture. It takes higher-level thinking to be literate. One must be able to assess the context of the piece being studied, the purpose in it, and the inspiration behind it. Not only that, but literacy requires more abstract thinking as well. Foster goes into a few of these literary elements throughout his book: Motifs, symbols, themes, allegories, plot rhythms, and many more. The entire book goes into multiple rules, codes, and patterns throughout classic American literature, which is also important to keep in mind. Literary patterns (such as the concept that meals always represent friendship between the characters) are just another layer on top of the huge literacy cake. There are so many facets to being literate, and that's why it's fascinating. Literacy is essentially developing better comprehension of a piece for yourself to analyze. It’s all about clarity.
The second part of defining literacy revolves around writing. Fully understanding a difficult text is one thing but being able to convey your own ideas in a cohesive fashion is a whole other situation. Once one knows how to read, analyze, and understand other people’s writing to an extent, they can use all that they know to write their own ideas and stories. There’s never been a good writer who isn’t also a voracious reader, so the two go hand-in hand.
Literacy is so much more than being able to read. Literacy is being engaged with words, understanding why they’re there, and being able to step into the metaphorical world of literature and fully comprehend all that it consists of. Literacy is perhaps the most important component of reading and writing. It requires an intellectual mind, patience, and some out-of-the-box creative thinking.
Hannah, I love reading your writing because you always think of things that I never would have. I agree with you that there is more that goes into being literate than being able to read and write, but I said that it also included acting on your knowledge of a certain subject. I liked your interpretation of the definition of literacy when you say that it involves "being able to convey your own ideas in a cohesive fashion..." Not only does literacy deal with comprehension and action, in order to truly be literate one must be able to explain, write about, and expand on their ideas.
ReplyDeleteI really love how eloquently you write, Hannah. You can turn even a very dry prompt into something one would want to read over and over. I also really love how you inserted the definition and expanded upon that. Originally, that is what I wanted to do before I read your prompt. Your choice of words help for this response to move so smoothly. Also, explaining the different literary elements was a wonderful idea considering that is one of the main themes of Foster’s book. I completely agree that being literate is way deeper than those think. Deeper thinking comes easiest to those who analyze things just as you did within this prompt. Great work!
ReplyDeleteHannah, I whole heartedly agree with your definition and explanation of literacy. So often, we over simplify it and reduce it to merely represent the ability to read and write. In actuality, so much more complexity and depth is within it. Depth and comprehension is the foundation of literacy. Competence and a firm grasp. A relationship with the words within a text. We shame the term by granting such easy access to the title of "literate". As you said, it's being engaged with the words. To simply read and process a text is not enough in my mind. You must go beyond and reach farther. Literacy is a high threshold, one only reached when a person demonstrates their ability to not only read and write, but thoroughly comprehend, analyze, and appreciate a text in it's entirety.
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