Literacy is the level at which one
can understand and read/write text.
Literacy has various levels; having only a kindergarten understanding of
text would mean simple subject-verb sentences and basic adjectives. A literate person can read and understand
multiple levels of text such as the newspaper, novels, signs, maps, etc. A person becomes literate by reading. They learn the alphabet (most in childhood)
and learn how to read words and put them together into the flow of a
sentence. A literate person can take vocabulary
and word choice from a text they have read, and then add those words to their
own storage of vocabulary. They can then
use them when writing their own text, or refer back to them when reading
something new and challenging. A
literate person thinks on the level of literacy they have achieved. The mind articulates in unspoken words, words
that can only be known by reading. What a
person reads contributes to their literacy and ability to write. Foster often refers to the “transparency” or “opacity”
of a novel. Authors who aim to write a more transparent
piece are making their text understandable to the general literacy level. They want their readers to see directly into
the text. Texts that are more opaque
require a deeper understanding and are sometimes “misread” by a reader with an
average literacy level.
Madisen, you accurately described what literacy is and expressed how literacy has different levels. In my post, I stated similar claims; therefore, I strongly agree with your claims. I like how you included Foster’s use of the words “transparency” and “opacity” of novels. The support from the involvement of Foster greatly strengthened your claims as well as added additional ethos to your post. I also enjoy your statement, “The mind articulates in unspoken words…” I agree with this statement, along with applaud the elevated, poetic diction you employed in order to express it.
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