Presentation #1 for English 1302-002 H What is Literacy?

1. English 1302 Presentation #1 ElinVarenkamp

2. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word literacy? Reading? Writing? But is that all there is to it?

3. According to Lindquist and Seitz: ‘an act of literacy can entail everything from finding a book to decoding print on the page to instant messaging a friend.’ (pg. 19) What about

4. MUSIC TRAFFIC SIGNS SYMBOLS These are ALL types of Literacy So…if all of these are types of literacy, it is a whole lot bigger than what we thought!

5. …As Andrew Sledd said “there is no such ‘thing’ as literacy, only varying degrees and forms of literacy.” (pg. 19)

6. But, what else Does Literacy Involve?

7. ‘But the single most compelling fact about literacy is that it is a social achievement; individuals in societies without writing systems do not become literate. Literacy is and outcome of cultural transmission; the individual child or adult does not extract the meaning of written symbols through personal interaction with the physical objects that embody them.’ (pg.35) The answer can be found in this quote from Scribner:

8. To understand the true meaning of ‘literacy’ we need look beyond the written word and start with culture, people and backgrounds. They all greatly effect literacy

9. Literacy is a social practice Religious activities Reading a menu at a restaurant Opinions Talking about everyday issues Conversations Going to school and reading/writing Community activities The list goes on and on…

10. Literacy is everywhere. It is far more complex than it looks It is effected by context (backgrounds, culture etc.) Where? When? Why? What? How? all of these questions influence the definition of literacy

11. Therefore I believe that the definition of literacy varies from person to person depending on who they are and where they come from. Thanks for watching my Presentation!

12. Works Cited Adkins, Tabetha. "Chapter 2 A Quick Introduction/ Review of Literacy." Ethnographic Inquiries In Writing. 1st ed. Southlake: Fountainhead, 2010. 19. Print. Adkins, Tabetha, ed. Ethnographic Inquiries In Writing. 1st ed. Southlake: Fountainhead, 2010. Print. Scribner, Sylvia. "Literacy In Three Metaphors." Ethnographic Inquiries In Writing. By Tabetha Adkins. 1st ed. Southlake: Fountainhead, 2010. 35. Print.