Literacy has an "essence"

Our Semi-literate Youth? Not So Fast – By Andrea A. Lunsford

Lunsford states that we are a "generation of twitterers and texters." Our writing tends to be “riddled with errors" either with spelling, using the wrong word, improper grammar, etc. The way in which we write and the way in which we approach writing has changed. The writing we do today can be referred to as “life writing” because it is “collaborative, social, [and] participatory.” We approach writing differently. We write for different reasons. When students were asked for the purpose of their writing, many “wanted their writing to count for something.” To these students, and I think, to many of us today, good writing or effective writing is “writing that ‘made something happen in the world.’”

Literacy in Three Metaphors – By Sylvia Scribner

Scribner took on the challenge of attempting to define literacy. There are so many aspects of literacy so how do you define it? Scribner states that literacy is “a kind of reality that educators should be able to grasp and explain... literacy has an ‘essence.’” She then continues to define literacy in three metaphors: “literacy as adaptation, literacy as power,” and “literacy as a state of grace” Literacy adaptation is “functional literacy” or the idea that people are literate because it is a necessary skill in our daily lives. Literacy as power confronts the idea that there is a “relationship between literacy and group or community advancement.” Literacy as a state of grace or “literacy as salvation” covers the concept that there are special powers and virtues given to those who are literate. Scribner declares that literacy as a whole is “critical for individual and social enhancement.”

Similar to how Carr discusses the way in which the web transforms the way we read and think, Lunsford examines the digital age that we life in today. Although Hedges’ view is much more negative than Carr’s, Hedges talks about how our world is fast-paced, always moving along, searching for something new and interesting to catch our eye. Literacy as adaptation in Hedges view would work because Hedges appears upset at the fact that, in his standards, so much of our nation is illiterate.

Various definitions of literacy offered online:

• Literacy is the ability to read for knowledge and interest, write coherently, and think critically about the written word.
• The ability to read and write. 
• Competence or knowledge in a specified area.

What is literacy? I think it is a skill, a necessity to advance in our society. Literacy comes in many shapes and sizes. There is visual literacy, literacy for certain fields of interest, academic literacy, etc. etc. The concept of literacy has been transformed by the web. If you look at Lunsford’s article, people want writing to have significance. This idea goes along with our need to know what is going on in the moment based of our constant updates and links with the rest of the world. I don’t know, I think all of us are literate in different ways.