2012-13APLITREADINGBLOG: How To Read Literature Like a Professor

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

How To Read Literature Like a Professor

Prompt 1
What is literacy? What does it mean to be a literate person? How does one become literate? What does a literate person do, know, think?

Hello, Everyone,
Now that you're thinking about literacy and your role as a reader, we'll be posting prompts on Professor once a week. Feel free to write your thoughts, experiences, and questions to the prompts as well as responses to your colleagues' comments. We hope you are enjoying How to Read Literature Like a Professor and the jumpstart it gives to academic reading. Blog away!

98 comments:

jazziJune 7, 2012 at 6:57 PM
Literacy definition in a dictionary is "an person with knowledge of a particular subject or field." While in "How to Read Literature like a Professor" own definition is "an person that haves knowledge of a certain area and expands it to make it grow." Basically with the combine definitions from each source it's saying that it's a person with intelligence of a certain area of subject.

One can not become literate when one is already is. Meaning that everyone is a already is literate in they own special way because everyone haves intelligence of something that are quite unique at . Take a person that's really good at math or anyone by the matter of fact. The definitions made clear that literacy is a person with "KNOWLEDGE", "OF A CERTAIN OR PARTICULAR SUBJECT OR AREA." Proving the point that everyone is literate. Within a literate person's mind of the subject they are doing. What they are doing is finding out more hints or information ,but specially learning about that subject. Going towards what they think and know is basically the same thing with each literate person they wonder more about the area and learn more about it to gain more knowledge. :D
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Amber BrinegarJune 8, 2012 at 4:07 PM
Literacy is the ability to read and write; however to me it also seems to mean to be able to read a text and be able to comprehend the hidden meanings/illusions the text pertains to. To be literate is to have knowledge as well even if it is not in literature, but being literate pertains to genres of literature. A literate person must be submersed in literary works. No person can be completely literate because no one can read every single piece of written text in the world. A literate person is someone who has read many literary works, but is also able to discover the hidden meanings behind the different images an author presents. Understanding the context of a piece of text is the key element—other than being able to read—to being literate.

A person becomes literate by surrounding oneself with the knowledge and access to the knowledge of a specific subject. Reading different texts about a subject is one of the most common ways to become “literate” although it also helps to achieve the common meaning of the word that one reads a lot of literature, but as I said it is not the only meaning. A person can also become literate by involving themselves in activities which would benefit their knowledge of a subject. These are only a few examples of how one can become literate, but there are thousands of others, even just living can be an example of a way to become literate by experiencing life. A literate person generally knows more information about a subject than say another like myself for example: I am literate related to equine related terms and topics while I am not literate in terms related to quantum physics. It may be an extreme example but you get the point. A literate person also challenges what they experience in their readings and daily interactions. They allow others opinions and believes vanish and take a stance on what is being discussed without any major bias other than their own understanding. They also know when they know enough to take a stance on a subject or let it be explained to them. Overall, a literate person attains, and uses their knowledge on a subject to further their own understanding or to challenge other’s views.
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Mrs. MacJune 9, 2012 at 3:47 AM
Amber,
Like Jasmine, you are seeing Literacy in a broad way. I think this is so important. I'm wondering if literacy and intelligence are getting mixed together here. I'm not sure what I think about connecting those too. It's funny, I guess human beings are their own text--trying to read ourselves and others is the hardest task! That would make a great title, though--Human as Text--Reading the Species!
Mrs. Mac
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BrianJune 10, 2012 at 9:17 PM
Interpreting the proposed questions as a personal point of view, I condense literacy down to the single category of dealing with literature and the various philosophizing and analyses. Throughout my life, I’ve only ever clumped literacy with books and such, mostly due to context and similarities of “literacy” and “literature”. For me, I’ve always considered literacy to be the textbook definition of the ability to read and write, but by stopping and actually thinking about it, I realize that I consider literacy to encompass more than just awareness of what words say and how to reproduce them on paper. Literacy is a mindset. It’s the ability to look at a text and not run from the forest for fear of the trees. It’s the ability to understand what the words on the paper mean and judge them for their worthiness or lack thereof. It’s the ability to manipulate words into expressing thoughts and goals in a way that silently reveals their intent for others to understand and judge. It’s the ability to communicate with others, authors or peers or future audiences. Literacy is the mastery of words in order to enlighten others with one’s ideas or be so enlightened by another.

A literate person can do this. He or she doesn’t have to be a prodigy, or even be smart. Anyone can be literate, if they try. An illiterate person may read a book and say, “I don’t like it. It sucks.” Yet a literate person might read the same book and exclaim, “I think the book is terrible. The author confused me and gave too many minor details while failing to flesh out the characters. The climax was weak and the ideas expressed were cliche and predictable. It was not worth my time.” Granted, most people--literate or not--would just say they didn’t like the book and maybe give an emotionally-biased retort when pressed, but this is merely an example. A literate person is capable of appreciating literature, and often the discussion of it. However, this is pretty much achieved solely through work, i.e., reading, reading, reading, and more reading, all the while formulating thoughts and opinions on the text whilst considering its value.)

Literacy is relatively simple to gain when compared to countless hours in the weight room for sports or a year of hoarding paychecks to buy that smoking new car, yet may be much more difficult to master. Literacy requires constant work and practice, but its fruits are plentiful. It sharpens the mind and trains one in critical thinking, allowing them to pester their worlds with questions and analyses. Literate people look like every other individual you meet, but there’s one easy test to tell them apart. Hand a person a thick book. Literate people will not faint or run away. Instead, they will look at it, extrapolate its basic plot based on the cover, and then sigh at the hours they will spend reading it instead of doing other things, even as they reach out to take it.
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Abby HumphreysJune 11, 2012 at 9:48 PM
I may seem a little pretentious in saying so, but even though literacy is literally the ability to read and write with some sort of skill, I do think that thoughts and the thought process itself have a lot to do with just how literate a person is considered. Without being able to communicate what we know effectively, who's to say we know anything at all? It all comes from how we have perceived the information we've taken in and put to memory, which is directly fueled by thought. Granted, impromptu speaking and organized writing are two very different mediums for expressing ideas (and definitely require activity in different areas of the brain), but I believe the definition of a literate person is someone who is at least somewhat controlled in their ability to make sense of the world around them and is able to relay information to other people without things getting too terribly jumbled along the way.

When I think of the word itself, I'm reminded of history's repeated attempts to keep certain groups illiterate. Though today we generally believe this is a bad move, it's easy to see what benefits could have been gained from keeping unruly people uneducated. Without the ability to read or write, information traveled at a much slower rate and must have often been inaccurate as well. Under this restriction, ideas between groups would theoretically slow to a halt, keeping people in their place far easier than if they were able to read or write. But did these groups stay silent for long? Not that I've traditionally been taught. Slowing the pace of concepts and ideas did not slow their potency in an able mind one bit, and this message has cropped up in our past enough for us to learn from the mistake. Knowing how to read or write doesn't make one any less intelligent of a person, which must mean that the true definition of literacy lies beyond communication itself and in something deeper and far more fundamental in ourselves.

I don't think you can "learn" how to become literate in this respect. Who really knows what determines how well we understand what we experience, although maybe childhood holds some sort of an answer. I've always heard that you should never reward a child for reading, but they should see what they learn from what they've read as a reward in itself; and though I mentioned this in another post, I truly believe it's curiosity that separates the dim mind from the flourished, the chronically active from the chronically inactive, and that's something that cannot be taught either. (Encouraged, maybe, but not planted inside anyone's head from the start.) I've recently become very interested in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), which names some of the differences in cognitive functions between human beings based on their preferences for making decisions/processing information, and it's generally accepted that some types are naturally more keen to seek out information while others are more sedentary in their desire to learn. Neither of these preferences are weaknesses, nor do they determine the capacity for one's intelligence; the key is in how you use and develop the ways your brain naturally works. But whether curiosity is the word I'm looking for or not, literacy in the sense of describing a well-rounded, communicative person is invaluable in our culture and in the quest for progress.
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Mrs. LJune 12, 2012 at 2:51 PM
Abby,
It's interesting that "curiosity" is becoming a thread throughout the comments. Most people want to know, and, for better or worse, curiosity is the driving force. Literacy is certainly in its most basic and traditional meaning the ability to read and write. However, I agree it's much more. The ability to think about what you read in order to write or speak about it moves literacy from the act of reading to cogently making meaning, infering, and drawing conclusions. That's one reason being a literate person is essential to readiness for the world beyond the classroom and is crucial in all disciplines.
Returning for moment to your point about society trying to limit or control literacy. What better way to subdue people than to become their only source of information? After the masses began reading, they naturally began thinking about what they read. That same process, at it's essence, is what we build on with every new text. How can you not love it? It's a matter so basic yet so grander than we.
SBL
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Chandler SmithJune 14, 2012 at 10:13 AM
Generally, when one thinks of literacy, the ability to read and write rises to the forefront of the mind, but in reality, literacy is much more. Directly after birth, we become literate. How so? We cry. We see. We hear. We smell. We feel. In crying, we express ourselves. By seeing, we learn of our surroundings. Hearing and smelling teach us of things we can't see. Through feeling, we learn of pain, texture, heat, etc. So what about this suddenly makes us literate? Think about it. Reading and writing serve as pathways to two major parts of life: knowledge and expression. Literacy is the ability to learn and to express what is learned. To be literate is to be human.

Babies can't truly express themselves though...to us. They cry and flail their limbs in nearly every situation so their expressions are nearly always lost on us, but the expressions are still there. They use all that they know to attempt to get a message ("feed me!" "change me!" "ouch!") across. That's literacy. Granted, it's a very basic form due to the short time they have been walking literacy's path, but it's still literacy.

Throughout history, oppressed groups in different periods (Africans, women, etc.) have been kept from information and made to be "illiterate". A better expression would have been "less literate", however, because the groups still had knowledge and expressed it whether via tending the fields, homemaking, or even interacting with each other. They still traveled the path. They simply met a roadblock and had to take a detour which shaped their thoughts, actions, and beliefs.

Even today people wishing to expand their literacy meet roadblocks and detours. Someone who can't sit still long enough to read most books can reroute to find information and stories within more active pursuits (conversations, internships, jobs). Someone who loves information but not movement may veer off toward television. Someone who wants to control and shape the story may resort to writing stories or playing video games. Every preference and opinion cause certain detours along the trail. These detours are what shape personality and make a person into an individual.
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Mrs. MacJune 15, 2012 at 12:08 PM
Hi Chandler,
I love your discussion here. I'm wondering if there's yet another definition--not so much "less" literate, as "different" literate. Our experiences shape the kinds of literacies we possess. School really only develops a very limited kind of literacy if you think about it.
Mac
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UnknownJune 18, 2012 at 2:15 PM
I have found literacy to be more than just the ability to read and write. To me, literacy is interpretation through emotional and intellectual proficiency. Reading is not literacy. Simply knowing how to verbally communicate the sounds the many combinations of consonants and vowels make is just the start. Anyone can merely read, but many cannot begin to comprehend the minute rhetorical genius of an author like Steinbeck or Hemingway. Their straightforward, yet complex prose a requires true literacy. That is, they require the capacity to not only read the words, but also the capacity to relate and appreciate the adept eloquence with which they tell their stories. Literacy is a complicated cerebral function. It requires life experience to be literate. Relating to a piece requires living through a similar event, whether that event be the death of a loved one or simply the pleasures one has experienced when taking a bite of an apple.

To be literate is to have lived and read. To become literate, one must read veraciously. They should read not just a few genres of writing, but every genre of writing. They must write often. They must experience life and what it has to offer. They must to converse and make new connections with all sorts of people. A literate person is open to new ideas. They can appreciate the works all types of writing. They are do not dogmatically believe in one philosophy, therefore a literate individual is not easily offended. They are open and considerate to new ideas and opinions.
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Mrs. LJune 18, 2012 at 7:58 PM
Evan,
I think your statement, "To be literate is to have lived and read," speaks to the application of literature to the human experience. Several comments mention the different types of literacy and specific types of reading that accomplish the purpose of each. At the core, literacy is reading, understanding, applying, and communicating the life lessons gained from text of any kind. What a waste to read great ideas expressed through artistic writing if there is no impact on the reader!
SBL
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VivianJune 18, 2012 at 10:25 PM
To me, literacy is the ability to think, speak, and write properly in one form or another. I think it is also possible to be literate in many different ways and that literacy expands into many different fields and forms. For example, someone can be computer literate, meaning they understand computer jargon. I, personally, am theatrically literate. I understand the stage and what everything about it means, whereas many others may not. I however, am not sports literate (at all). Being a literate person doesn’t only apply to textbook knowledge of how to read and write, it applies to so much more.
Since there are many different types of literacy, I don’t think that someone can be called “illiterate” flat out. No matter how stupid someone may seem, there has to be some form of literacy he or she understands that many others do not. Let’s use drug dealers as an example. Due to the fact that they have most likely spent many of their years high and/or drunk, many people think that drug dealers are illiterate. This is not necessarily true. While said drug dealer may not understand proper English, how to read and write, or know grammar (which is technically the definition of literacy), he knows something about drugs that non drug users do not. He may also have street smarts and know how to get himself out of a sticky situation; something I lack. Therefore, I am not “street” literate.
As for becoming literate in anything; practice makes perfect. Simply being born literate is something that just doesn’t happen. To become literate in anything, a person has to try and work towards it. As much as we want it to, literacy doesn’t happen overnight. If someone wants to become literate in science and teach it to others, they have to study and work hard at it to ensure they have learned all they can. And persistency is what it truly takes to become a literate person.
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Mrs. MacJune 19, 2012 at 9:02 AM
Vivian,
I like some of the types of literacies you mention here; it shows that you can imagine the depth that literacies imply. And absolutely--it's always about practice. That's really what AP Lit is all about. Foster says this too!
Mac
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AnonymousJuly 5, 2012 at 6:15 PM
This comment has been removed by the author.
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AnonymousJuly 6, 2012 at 2:05 PM
Literate as defined by Webster’s collegiate dictionary is "able to read and write" (when used as an adj.). So in regards to the prompt, the only two qualities a person needs to be considered literate is the ability to read and write. That's it. Being knowledgeable has nothing to do with the state of being literate. It maybe a side effect, however, a literate person can be and often is ignorant. As a result all modern, learned men are literate, but not all literate men are learned. Contrary to many of the posts of my peers I do not feel that being literate is more than being able to read and write.
However, I do understand the connotation that is attached to the term literate is more than that. Educated, cultured, scholarly these are a few of the words connected to being literate and as a result literate men are often defined by those qualities. Due to this the distinction between these qualities and being literate are blurred, and they are viewed as one in the same. So as a result if I were to call a man literate, some may be inclined to believe said man is cultured or well-read. When in all actuality I only mean to say he has the ability to read and write in one language or another. I’m sure some of my peers are going to respond to me in some generic way by saying being literate is so much more than just reading and writing that it’s about breathing life into words. I respectfully disagree. Being literate is a symptom of being knowledgeable, not the other way around.
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Jack McGeeJuly 10, 2012 at 8:54 PM
Literacy, for our purposes, means much more than the ability to look at words on a page and know what they say (although that is a skill that some people do not possess at all). Most basically, the word does mean to read and write. But for us, literacy includes the ability to understand the meaning behind those words and how that meaning relates to our lives. We are scholars who study great literature; simply knowing the words will not suffice; we must determine what the author's message really is. The author’s message is, for us, the most important part of any writing, not simply the actual words he uses. Authors employ symbols and other devices that describe ideas in nonliteral ways. If we were to read a text without realizing the symbolism, then we could not understand the author’s message. Therefore, we would not be literate because, for us, literacy is not only understanding the words but also understanding their meaning. In order to become literate in that sense, one must read constantly. In the same way that words usually mean the same thing wherever they are written, symbols often represent the same thing in different texts. Symbolism in literature is a less concrete language, but a language nonetheless. It is in that language that we must become literate. This literacy will open our eyes to a hidden world of knowledge. We will discover hidden ideas within books we previously thought to be elementary. We will be exposed to new ideas within books that were unreadable before. Once we truly become literate, we will be free and able to read about much more complicated ideas about everything. And once we have read about those ideas, we will be able to write about them ourselves.
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Luke HagleyJuly 11, 2012 at 4:08 PM
According to www.dictionary.com, being literate means having the “ability to read and write” (…obviously). Additionally, to me, it means having at least a basic appreciation and understanding of literature. It means being able to identify the most famous, important, and/or influential pieces of writing of all-time (“The Bible”, works by William Shakespeare, “Alice In Wonderland“, etc…), most of which are discussed in “How To Read Literature Like A Professor“. It means being able to apply pre-existing knowledge to a piece of literature to enhance one’s understanding of the text. Finally, it means being able to comprehend writing at a level above the literal sense.

If one reads George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”, for instance, and takes it at face-value, they may possess the ability to read and be literate in the general sense of the term, but may not be “AP Lit literate.” What is a simple story of talking farm animals to them is a hard-hitting political allegory to those who know better… those who are truly literate. Being able to recognize and decipher symbolism and parallels is one of the true marks of someone who possesses literacy.

A literate person appreciates and understands the classic works of literature. As Foster explains in “How to Read Literature Like A Professor,” totally original writing is virtually nonexistent. Everything, whether intentionally or not, is based off of some other text. Someone who is literate understands this fact and is able to identify the basic origins of a piece of writing. An appreciation for all types and sub-genres of literature can greatly contribute to this asset.
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William WaldeckJuly 11, 2012 at 8:54 PM
Literacy is not simply the ability to read and write; it is the complete understanding of a subject, along with using said subject as an art form. A person can obtain literacy in any artistic concentration. Simply reading a word and knowing how to write it, or reading a musical note and poking it with your index finger on a piano is, in itself, useless. But understanding the language of music and using that knowledge to taking in the pure beauty of a musical masterpiece makes a person literate in a musical sense. Having the ability to understand an author’s prose or poetry, while taking in its symbolism and allusions, giving you the chance to be truly moved by their work, is being literate in the subject of literature. More simply said, literacy is the ability to take a subject’s language and use it to create and take in beauty.
Bearing that in mind, it must be remembered that a person does not have to be a skilled musician, a gifted painter or have a great ability to decipher deep meanings within all written texts to be literate in those subjects; there are very few in this world that do. One does, however, have to have some sort of an understanding in their own subject’s language and use. Without this basic understanding and ability, words have the same rudimentary use as early forms of hieroglyphics, music is reduced to meaningless noise, drawing is belittled to graphite and paper, and literacy cannot be obtained.
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samuelsmithJuly 14, 2012 at 9:28 AM
I firmly believe that literacy is the ability to form conscious thoughts in a way that is both intelligent and relevant. A sign of literacy in an individual is the tact to think “quick” on the draw, which shows the immediate indication of thought. Even a stream of consciousness enveloped with nonsense, if thought through intelligently, is a strong example of literacy.

The foundation of literacy begins at home. Without a steady flow of proper language and sentence structure influencing a child from the very beginning of life, the growth of literacy cannot continue past infancy. The fact remains, however, that a child will also choose whether they will obey the “laws” of literacy that have been implemented in their home, assuming that the parents or guardians don’t have awful grammar. If that’s the case, then there is almost no hope for a constant growth of literary knowledge.

Once a person reaches a certain age, they simply will not absorb the fundamental elements of proper grammar, speech, sentence structure, tense, or any other literary device for the matter. The saying: “You can’t teach and old dog new tricks” applies to this in that once the person isn’t young anymore, the lust for new knowledge is lost in the wind.

But for those who have stuck out the educational marathon of the English language, the implementation of literacy is automatic and not a necessary lesson. Those who are literate think about anything they want, for they can visualize it not only in their heads, but on paper and again on their tongues. Literate people do what they please for they can understand the consequences-positive or negative-of their actions. That is why literacy is important now more than ever.
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Emily ProctorJuly 19, 2012 at 11:09 AM
This term is one of those difficult words to define; it’s meaning stretches in several ways and though when we see it and understand describing the word is a challenge. So here I am going to hopefully succeed in breaking the term literacy into the various levels that I think describe it best.

The outer shell of this term, for me, is the ability to read, absorb, understand, and articulate an opinion on a text. Then there comes a comprehension of those readings and writings on multiple levels, be it an emotional, an analytical, or an even deeper level of understanding. Someone who is literate also possesses full knowledge in a subject; knowledge using the same qualities required in the last definition. Delving farther into what literacy means one can look at society, and people in general. There is a respectability that comes from being literate and then there is an ability to assess the pitfalls and beauties of society. Perhaps when one finds full literacy in a subject one thinks and refers to the subject continually, their knowledge and the prospect of furthering their knowledge just fills them up. To connect the continual knowledge and love of knowledge gained through being literate to one’s society in a deeper way truly enriches all aspects of life. Literature itself does all of this; as a mass of many different texts it examines human life, their experiences, and their feelings on many levels using many varied mental tools. So reading and fully exploring the facets of written literature is a means of employing literacy.

It is living and sponging up as much information as possible that give someone the chance to be literate. If there is no desire in a person to learn or to continually seek out knowledge then they do not possess the tools it takes to find literacy. Having respect for one’s own mental strengths and knowing one’s voice gives an insight that can connect readings and studies to the greater world. So to become literate person it takes practice and passion, time and effort, and possession of the skills in basic literacy and its deeper counterparts.
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mollylydickJuly 22, 2012 at 12:36 PM
Literacy is a term that on the surface could simply be described as the ability to read and write. However, there are many deeper levels to literacy and to being a literate person. Literacy, is a word kind of similar to love, in that each person sees it differently and puts their own definition to it. So in my perspective, literacy is not just having the ability to read a text or write a paper, but the understanding it takes to travel into the depths of a piece and also give depth to their own writing. For instance, like mentioned in "How to Read Literature like a Profesor," the Bible is a book that contains passage after passage of texts with endless meaning. However, the average person would just read each chapter and see it as an interesting story, but a literate person would read each passage (probably reread each passage) and see that they aren't just stories but metephors and guidelines for life. A literate person will always go deeper.
A literate person is also someone who is emmersed into literary pieces. They have read timeless classics like the ones mentioned in "How to Read Literature like a Professor" (the Bible, Shakespeare, etcs.) Not only have they read the pieces but they have studied them and could have an intelligient conversation about any part of each piece. A literary person doesn't just start a novel planning to read it and get the gist, they plan to study it and get inside the mind of the author.
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Lauren BrumfieldJuly 23, 2012 at 4:23 PM
Literacy: (1) The ability to read and write. (2) Competence or knowledge in a specified area. Literacy is knowing and being able to understand something, many think of reading and writing. In today's day in age, a person must know how to read and write. Otherwise they could not do simple tasks like cooking by a recipe, driving, high education, giving directions to a certain street. Reading not only opens up the everyday world, but any other world you wish to see. Any book, blog, archive, newspaper, could allow a person to leave the life they live just for a bit and can come back whenever the please. Writing is allowing to speak with words, which could probably be one of the most powerful messages other than speaking.

Literacy is living.

A few centuries ago, the amount of illiterate people was extremely higher. If a person couldn't afford education, they would just have basic knowledge. Slaves were not allowed to be educated, and we all know about the stories about newly-freed slaves trying to survive in the world without reading or writing. It wasn't as important to everyone. Wealthier people could afford education and the gift of reading. Others main focus was food. As time progressed, the general public learned everyday words like "store" and "food" because it was a part of their daily routine. The art of practicing, I believe, is the best way to become literate. Anyone could do it, they just have to be taught a certain way.

Practice is the key to literacy.
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Dylan ParkerJuly 24, 2012 at 10:19 PM
Literacy, according to Merriam Webster, is the ability to read and write, but I believe the concept of literacy extends far beyond that into the comprehension of what one reads. Without comprehension of what one is reading, reading simply becomes the pronunciation of words. To be literate, to me, means to be able to read, write, comprehend what you read. I also think being literate means being able to respond, on various levels, to what you read.

One becomes literate, from the dictionary’s stance, by learning phonics and definitions of words. But to truly become literate, requires questioning what you read and thinking about if it can apply to things in life. If it can apply to things in life, what will it mean to you, the reader? Being literate not only means questioning and finding application, but also means comparing what one comprehends across multiple mediums of literature and text.

A literate person does the aforementioned. They question what they read, they connect it to their lives, and they find application for what they learn from reading. A literate person, on an “abstract” level, knows that they should practice these things. On a literal level, a literate person should strive to know as much as they can. Besides responding to reading, one should retain what they read. Reading is useless if you don’t learn any concrete facts. A literate person thinks outside of the box. Actually, a literate person has no box. A literate person thinks to find meaning in text.
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UnknownJuly 25, 2012 at 7:29 AM
The term Literacy has evolved from " the ability to read and use printed materials at an extremely basic level" to " using printed and written information to function in society, to achieve one's goals and to develop one's knowledge and potential" (2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy). Literacy stands for more than simply being able to read and write. Literacy allows people to take their experiences and apply them into their everyday readings and writings. Being literate requires people to think "outside the box" and understand not only the text they are reading but also how to apply that knowledge into real life actions. However, it is my opinion that everyone is literate in their own way. A perfect example of this opinion would be 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'. Huck's father disapproved of his education therefore caused Huck to be illiterate to everyone around him. However, Huck was a very intelligent person and was forced to survive on his own in the absence of his father. Huck was able to gather information and make his own conclusions. This prime example proves that even though Huck was uneducated, he was still literate in his own mind and through the decisions and conclusions he drew.

A person becomes literate in many ways. Reading and Writing about literature works and important classical novels only deepens the knowledge and takes the literacy to a new level. However becoming literate can be as simple as seeing or hearing someone say something and being able to respond to them. It is my opinion that if a person simply holds conversation with someone, they build their vocabulary and become more literate. Every person has their own topic of literacy. A literate person is able to take what they know and use it in real situations. For example, a hunter once heard a new way to make fire. Being literate, he is able to take that knowledge and make the fire. A literate person compiles tiny pieces of information and makes a puzzle out of the pieces. This puzzle shows information and literacy coming together as a whole piece by piece. A person is never fully literate, but is always adding to the puzzle of literacy.
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Nate HaikalJuly 25, 2012 at 6:23 PM
To fully define a word such as literacy in every form it can possess would take up much more space on a page than I would be willing to write. Therefore, I will attempt to compose an abbreviated working definition of what literacy is. Literacy, like an onion, has many contiguous layers to it. Based on the situation literacy could mean anything from the common ability to read and write to an adjective describing one's proficiency with a potato gun. The latter example is a more uncommon usage of the word, nonetheless it is correct. In a dictionary, I found the proverbial definition of literacy as the ability to read and write. However, in the same dictionary was another definition of the word; to have knowledge or skill in a specified field.
This truth led me to believe that every person who has applied themselves in some way is in a sense literate. This is fascinating to me, because contrary to my old belief, one does not even have to know how to read and write to be considered literate. All a person has to do is pick up some knowledge or skill, whether it be as simple as throwing a baseball or as complex as having the knowledge to create a proof about Fermat's last theorem.
All humans have the capability to be literate, and people become literate through knowledge or application. What a literate person does, knows, and thinks based on this interpretation of the word literacy is diverse considering everyone has the capability to be literate.
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UnknownJuly 28, 2012 at 6:36 PM
I believe there is more to literacy than the ability to read. More importantly, literacy is the ability to comprehend what you read and write in an eloquent and grammatically correct way. But even more than that, also having a wide-ranging set of knowledge. By this I mean, knowing a little about a lot and always being eager to learn. In my opinion, literacy is determined on a person’s open-mindedness and expertise in many subjects rather than simply their ability to read and write. Many people are aware of what words say; however, the difference between literacy and illiteracy is knowing what they mean. Literacy is the ability to not just write basic words but to express them in a way that challenges, intrigues, and captures the reader’s attention.

As I thought about literacy more and what it means to be “literate” I kept going back to how the people of Appalachia were once known as illiterate people and still struggle with this stereotype. Why is that? Growing up in West Virginia shielded its inhabitants to a variety of knowledge due to the encompassing mountains and sheltered life style. It wasn’t that these people were incapable of reading a book or writing a sentence, but were shielded in the sense that they were not exposed to different ideas, customs, people, literature, and etc. Therefore, were considered illiterate due to their lack of knowledge in a variety of topics by the outside world. By reading and learning about a multiplicity of subjects, one broadens their knowledge and becomes more tolerant of unfamiliar cultures, philosophies, languages, and so on, while also becoming literate.
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Audrey McFarlandJuly 30, 2012 at 5:43 PM
Literacy is not easily confined to a single definition. Some may describe it as a proficiency in reading and writing, while others may measure it by the breadth of one’s book collection. But these are both fairly shallow explanations understating literacy’s true meaning. In order to genuinely understand the concept, one must probe further beneath the surface. Literacy is much more comprehensive than the basic functions one learns in school. One may read and write sufficiently but still not possess true literacy. Literacy stretches beyond these basic abilities, encompassing knowledge on a much greater scale. In order to be a truly literate person, one must immerse oneself in learning and dig further beneath the surface for a deeper understanding. Literacy requires one to think rather than just do; a literate person will not only complete the basic functions required of him or her, but will also gain new insight from the experience. It is easy to read a book, however, finding meaning within the words is not always so clear. This is a crucial step towards literacy; one must read deeper beneath the lines and comprehend on a more profound scale. This is the case not only with reading literature, but also with all forms of learning. One may achieve literacy in math or science or any subject one chooses to study. The key to literacy is simply education—gaining as much knowledge as possible in any given area. As one learns and develops skills, one grows more literate in the process, thus becoming more knowledgeable of the surrounding world. Because literacy stems from education, a literate person is constantly evolving, becoming more and more insightful as time goes on. There is never an end to the learning process; therefore, as one continues to gain more knowledge and experience throughout one’s life, literacy will come naturally.
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UnknownAugust 5, 2012 at 11:30 AM
According to www.merriam-webster.com being literate means one is able to read and write. Therefore literacy would mean the quality or state of having the ability to both read and write. A literate person is said to be an educated or a cultured person, one who has knowledge or competence. An example would be "She is literate in both English and Spanish." Meaning she can read and write in both the languages of English and Spanish.

For one to become literate I believe it does not just come naturally, at first. I believe becoming literate is a process. Literacy skills build and grow a little at a time. Although for every person developing and attaining literacy skills will be different. Some becoming literate quicker than others. Starting with simply learning to count, and also learning the alphabet allowing one then to learn to add and read. These are just the beginning steps to becoming a literate person.

A literate person has the ability to express different words and phrases in a way that provides literary merit. One that also reads and learns abouth the many different subjects always able to increase their knowledge by the way they attain any information. One who becomes aware of unfamiliar philosophies and languages. Like many other subject fields education is the key to literacy. A literate person thinks of gaining as much possible knowledge in any given area. Developing any possible skill while also becoming literate in the process, and in that process always finding meaning in a text.
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UnknownAugust 5, 2012 at 6:17 PM
Literacy is the ability to read and write. Would we count three year olds with Dr. Seuss books as literate? Under this definition, yes. A more appropriate definition, however, is one who is skilled at reading and writing and who can think beyond the words of a text. To become literate under this definition, one must do more than just learn to read. One must be a voracious reader, a connoisseur of books. One must write often, and one must write a lot. Quantity is not the point. It is the exposure. Experience provides the materials for one's mind. Even the smartest man cannot build the pyramids without stone.

Exposure is not the only stop on the path to becoming literate. The books cannot be terrible. If a person reads only bad writing, they will never know what good writing is. The person's writing must be critiqued and later improved upon. Most often the writer will never notice his or her own mistakes. It takes another.

These are the things that it takes to become literate, but they are not really what literacy is. Even the second definition provided above does not cover it. Literacy is the ability to communicate effectively. It involves the ability to read and understand a text. Literacy includes all aspects of reading from understanding the direct meaning of the words to grasping the implied concepts and repercussions of those words. In the realm of writing (and speaking), literacy is the ability to communicate ideas effectively. One must be able to translate the foggy realm of thought into unshakable words. Again, literacy is the ability to communicate, both sending and receiving. To do this, one must be exposed to the way others perceive the world. A literate person is open to these ideas and understands how to manipulate them to convey his own ideas in the way of another. A literate person compares constantly and, as a result, saves money on car insurance. Literate people think and have the knowledge and experience to put those thoughts to good use.
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Michael BirdAugust 5, 2012 at 7:54 PM
"What is literacy?" Literacy is, by definition, "the ability to read and write." However, like many words in the English language, it has deeper sub-meanings that no dictionary can hope to display. For example, if you were to ask ten people what it means to "be literate" you would get ten wildly different responses (take this very prompt as an example). As such, I would say that the definition of literacy (as with nearly any other word) must be carefully put, and that not every person will agree with the one I set. My definition for literacy is "the comprehension of a given subject" As a result, if I were asked "Are you literate?" I would have to reply "In what?"

"What does it mean to be a literate person?" is a difficult question, to which the simplest answer is "Normality." I believe that there are a variety of literacies, just as there are a variety of intelligences. I actually draw a large parallel between literacy and intelligence. One may well be literate in "classical literature," for instance, but not in "modern literature." Similarly, literacy extends beyond the realm of literature. I myself am quite literate in the workings of the typical star, for instance, though I am totally lost in an auto parts store. Therefore, I am literate in stars and illiterate in car parts. Similarly, the majority of people in the world are literate in many other things and totally illiterate in stars. This is why my answer is "Normality," because nearly everyone has one thing about which they know a great deal, and as a result nearly everyone is literate in something.

"How does one become literate?" is a general question. The general answer is "Ask questions." To become literate in [subject] one must first have a question about [subject] and then seek an answer to his/her question. The questions and the answers on the road to literacy vary for different subjects.

"What does a literate person do, know, think?" is another general question, but the answer to it is not so simple as "Ask questions." In fact, it's simpler. "Anything." Really. Nearly anyone is or can become literate in something. Any given person is able to do, know, or think any number of things, so the only true answer to this question is "Anything."
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sgjacobson95August 5, 2012 at 8:36 PM
Being literate means to fully understand a concept whether it is the alphabet and the words the letters make (the most normal way the word literate is used) or the way the blood flows through the body. Both require knowledge, skill, and practice to achieve complete literacy.

Now I believe there are different levels of literacy. While someone who knows basic knowledge of a subject (like a high school student in biology class) would be partially literate in biology a person who has had many classes and is specialized in the subject (for instance a biology major) is completely literate in subject.

A person becomes literate with practice and persistence. Literacy is not handed to anybody on a silver platter. It must be achieved. However those who are literate may receive many benefits from it. For instance, those who know great deals about one specific subject, like brains, will be highly recognized and rewarded in that subject for their literacy.

I do not think anyone on the earth is entirely illiterate. Everyone has talents and knowledge even if it is hidden. You might be partially literate in a subject matter but you are still literate. The key is finding what you are literate in and using that to better yourself, obtain a job, or make a future.

Those who are literate completely literate in a subject know it and usually flaunt it. They know they are smart so they want everyone else to know as well. Those who are partially literate in a subject are the ones to watch. They usually do not know that they are literate and lack self-confidence. However, they will surprise you in their capacity to gain knowledge.
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Leah LevyAugust 6, 2012 at 8:54 AM
Before reading How to Read Literature like a Professor, I would have defined literacy in a broad definition of being able to read and write. After reading the book however, I won’t ever look at the term literacy (or anything dealing with literature for that matter) in the same way. I guess a person could be literate in many different areas if you go by the book’s idea. One becomes literate by becoming educated in that certain area. We often think of this in the form of literature and language, and therefore only associate literacy with the meaning of knowing how to read and write. What does a literate person, do, know, and think? I would consider Thomas Foster a literate person in the area, of well, literature. So like a characteristic of the book, I’m sure Foster is a very analytical person that knows this area well. Because Thomas Foster is specialized in this area his actions, and thoughts are also probably heavily influenced by this. I also imagine someone literate in another area such as architecture might also do, know, and think in an analytical yet different way, maybe more with spatial perception.

P.S. (yes, I added a post script to my blog) I just found out that the root word “lit” means letters, and that’s why literal, literacy, literature, alliteration, transliteration, and more all have to do with language. Am I the only one that has overlooked this? If so, then I’m kind of embarrassed.
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Campbell NeighborgallAugust 6, 2012 at 2:44 PM
There are multiple ways of defining "literacy", but all its definitions revolve around the simple concept: to be able to read and respond; communicate. We generally just think of literacy pertaining to text, but there is a much greater meaning to "read" and "respond". To be literate, one must be able to observe the surface while simultaneously digging for meaning; likewise, in a verbal conversation, a literate person does not only understand another's words, but also comprehends their body language and combine the two for the most accurate interpretation. Then, a literate person would be able to create an appropriate response which best fits the situation (setting, topic, emotional atmosphere, and person with whom shares the conversation). The same goes for text. When reading, a literate person may read the surface, the plain words, but is aware that that is not all. They search and hope for allusions, conspicuous allegories, trying (but not forcing) to build a relationship with the characters/and/author. One rudimentary method of delving deep into a text (whether in literature or scientific text) is to question the author's motives. What is there purpose? What message are they trying to communicate?

Like everything, literacy requires practice and pushing oneself into the "further". No, not like in the movie Insidious, but beyond one's comfort zone. Sure its easy to fy through a book to simply enjoy an entertaining plot or story, but to be considered "one with literacy", one must be willing to dive head first into the unknown of the book. That is where we find the richness of the text, and that is where one will find oneself discovering literacy.
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Maddie HallAugust 6, 2012 at 6:27 PM
Literacy is defined as the quality or state of being literate, especially the ability to read and write. Most basically it means possessing the ability to read and write. One can look at the definition and retort with “but it so much more than that, it’s the ability to comprehend the text.” The definition of the word “read” however is to look at and comprehend the meaning of written or printed matter. Therefore literacy is literally the possession of basic education.

Many readers may be thinking that I am dull in my response do to my one level definition. Though I think it is strictly the definition after reading How to Read Literature Like a Professor I believe Shrek’s “onion theory” can easily be applied. Simply put see literacy in layers.

Literacy is commonly thought to only apply to reading and writing (before reading foster’s work I thought the same) but Foster shows that one can be literate in different and multiple subjects. Forster, for example, would be literate in literature and reading and writing.

Being literate allows a person to exceed those who are illiterate for obvious reasons and that they are capable of translating their feeling into thoughts and Language, thereby producing meaning for those feelings. When one can give meaning they are able to form arguments for their beliefs and thoughts. Literacy creates a domino effect and it in this way that the literate can accomplish nearly anything (with the exception of physical limits.) How far the domino chain falls depends on the effort put forth to learn, continue learning, and put the literacy to use by each individual literate person.
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Emily MurrayAugust 7, 2012 at 11:59 AM
By definition (found in Merriam-Webster dictionary), literacy means "The ability to read and write". However, after having read How To Read Novels Like A Professor, I believe their definition to be more profound. According to both the novel and the Oxford dictionary, literacy not only means the ability to read and write, but it also refers to competence or knowledge in a specified area.

By this definition, one does not necessarily have to excel in literature comprehension in order to be literate. That being said, anyone with a complete understanding of any subject could be considered literate. In example, one who prematurely removed themselves from their post-middle school education could have vast knowledge of a vocation and still be considered as literate as one who instructs an English course at an ivy-league college. It is the amount of knowledge in comparison as apposed to the type of knowledge that matters; not necessarily quantity versus quality, but a combination of both could easily gauge one's level of literacy.

One can become literate from both study and experience. A comforting fact about literacy is that once that skill is learned, you never really forget how to utilize it. The skills come through in almost any project the literate person may participate in. Humans use literacy as a tool in their daily lives to aid them in almost any situation whether they realize it or not. One could easily state that literacy is a vital part of the basic anthropology of human kind.
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UnknownAugust 7, 2012 at 11:59 AM
Literacy is a basic understanding of a certain subject or field. Once someone knows the very fundamental concepts of an area they become “literate.” However, like some posts have said before, there are many levels of literacy. Literacy has three stages: understanding, applying, and innovating.

The very basic form of literacy is just the rudimentary understanding of the specific field. In the subject of reading and writing, this consists of knowing how the different combinations of letters form words that represent different objects or ideas. This would include children who can read the sentence, “a cow jumped over the moon,” and know that a cow jumped over the moon.

As someone becomes more literate, they are able to use their knowledge and apply it to new situations. With reading and writing, this would be the ability to find the meaning beyond the story at face value. This includes a reader understanding that Animal Farm by George Orwell serves as more than just the story of farm animals, and tells the story of the Russian revolution.

Someone with the highest level of literacy has the ability to use their understanding to innovate or enhance their specific field. In reading and writing, this could range anywhere from writing an original story to even proposing a new interpretation of a popular story. The people with the highest level of literacy add their own voice to the great discussion. For example, Albert Camus’ essay on Sisyphus that argued Sisyphus was happy rather than the idea he was living the ultimate peril completely changed the way people read the myth.
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UnknownAugust 8, 2012 at 11:46 AM
Literacy is generally defined as “the ability to read and write”, and that is the definition most commonly thought of when the word “literacy” comes up. However, being literate entails so much more than simply writing a sentence or reading a book, which brings me to the second, less common definition of literacy, “competence or knowledge in a specified area”. This second definition holds more true to our society’s view of literacy. We live in an ever-changing, ever-evolving, world where (sadly) books and tangible text are becoming more and more outdated everyday. Our generation has access to numerous types of new multimedia and different forms of expression. Our task is not simply to be able to interpret text anymore; it has evolved into the ability to think beyond the first glance, or first understanding through whatever format. In that way, literacy has remained unchanged throughout time; the mediums through which we interpret have changed.

Additionally, I think there are different levels or types of literacy. For example, I am definitely not as literate as an English Scholar, but I am more literate than a first grader. However, as the scope changes, an English Scholar could be deemed nearly illiterate in scientific matters in comparison to a science professor. And from that, the science professor could be regarded as incompetent in understanding the technological media of our society as compared to a teenager like myself. No one is literate in all matters.

With the different ranges of literacy, it is hard to set a specific path to literacy. Literacy is something that is developed as one moves through life. It is not something that can be learned in a matter of a few hours. Instantaneous development of literacy is an outlandish due to the inherent nature of literacy, which requires the beholder to have developed a level of it through various experiences and exposure to different types of not only literature, but multimedia as well.
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AnonymousAugust 8, 2012 at 1:36 PM
Literacy by definition means to be able to read and write; however I believe literacy is being able to comprehend what you have read. To be literate is to have complete knowledge on multiple subjects or one specific subject. To become literate a person has to be patient and willing to become educated on a specific topic or topics.

I believe it is possible to be literate on many different levels and in many categories. For example, someone can be sports literate like myself, meaning they understand a lot about different kinds of sports but, I am not as literate as say a sports medicine major. But, I don’t think it is possible for one person be completely literate in one subject or even in multiple subjects. For example, if one thinks they know a lot about computers there is probably still something they can learn therefore, they are not completely literate. I also believe people can be “illiterate” which means a person cannot read or write. However, I believe this is very rare and there has to be some form of literacy that one understands.

A literate person strives to learn more about the topic or topics they are interested in. They do not just learn about one topic or topics for fun they plan to learn everything they possibly can and push themselves to become an expert. Once a person becomes literate they are able to use the information they have obtained to perhaps get a job or share their findings with others in order to help them.
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UnknownAugust 9, 2012 at 11:40 AM
In order to accurately define being "literate" I think we must first look at a dictionary definition. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, the term "literate" is defined as two things. First, "Educated, cultured" and second, "able to read and write." I must admit, before glancing at the definition It was my belief that being "literate" was merely the second given definition, (able to read and write). However, after reviewing my peers' posts and glancing at an another definition, I have understood and have realized being literate can mean much, much more.

Being literate means understanding themes, motifs, and symbolism expressed by an author and knowing how to apply those skills in your own writing. As expressed in other posts, it is understanding various origins of writing. Signing up for AP Lit was a commitment and I knew that entering the course meant that I would be amongst the brightest, most intellectual, pupils of the entire school, facing rigorous challenges. Obviously, all that signed up for the course know how to read and write or else they would be incapable of completing these blog posts.

To many, literacy strictly pertains to literature itself. However, people may also be literate in various fields of study. For example, if I majored in biochemistry, I could be considered literate in that field. However, like many other things, being literate is subjective, so that particular biochemist may not be considered literate through everyone’s point of view. Essentially, there is no set standard on literacy.
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UnknownAugust 10, 2012 at 3:05 PM
Literacy is defined as the ability to read and write. However, literacy is more than just simply being able to read and write but is also the ability to comprehend hidden meanings in texts. Literacy can also pertain to other aspects in life since there are varying degrees and types of literacy besides literature. For example, one can be literate in arts while another literate in sports.To be literate in literature, one should have knowledge pertaining to genres of literature as well, the subject of a text, and knowledge gained from life experiences. A literate person is someone who has read many works of literature and can discover hidden meanings in texts. One main key to being literate is being able to understand the context of a text.

To become literate, one should surround himself or herself with knowledge. By surrounding yourself with knowledge, you will obtain a better understanding of a subject. This will help to further validate your point in a discussion. Literate people should not only challenge what they experience in their reading but also their personal experiences since much of what we come by in life involves a combination of acquisition and learning. Literate people should be open-minded and unbiased when discussing topics. A literate person uses both previous and new knowledge to further their own understanding and the understanding of others.
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UnknownAugust 10, 2012 at 6:26 PM
You can say that literacy has this deep, mystical meaning that one can achieve through years of training from a man on a mountain with a beard. My peers appear stuck on trying to find this deeper meaning of the term. While I am not discrediting any of them, I just feel that the answer is much simpler. In my opinion, literacy is simply being able to read and write, nothing more.

Knowledge, scholar, cultured all tag along with this idea of literacy. Those do not make a man literate, for they only sharpen the knife of literacy causing it to be more affective. At birth, we are just raw material without much of a purpose. As time progresses, we get put to use, but first, we need to be taught the basics. Now, we have out basic function, which will remain for the rest of our lives. Now what we do with that function depends on us. Some might sit around and stay dull, some might use it to their advantage, some might spend their whole life perfecting it. No matter what we do with it, we are all the same, with the same basic function -- literacy. What adjective gets tagged along with it is up to you. So yes, literacy is simply the ability to read and write, how you expound upon that is up to you.
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