Tanner Beck

Professor Agosta

UWRT 1101-001

17 January 2017

Scribner Reading Log

1. Critical reading involves the ability to analyze texts and other bits of

information while interpreting your own take on the material. This type

of reading is particular because writers must evaluate each source for

reasoning and pieces of evidence instead of mindlessly scrolling

through pages. However, when school-assigned reading comes into

play, most will just hem and haw their way through the material so

they can regurgitate a sub-par essay to please the teacher (cant lie, I

did this for most of high school.) Quite honestly, I hate doing this. I

cant stand doing this. Id rather have my wisdom teeth pulled again

than do these kinds of assignments. I have tried to approach assigned

readings more optimistically, but in reality Id much rather be doing

anything else.
2. In my mind, two things come into play when I hear literacy: I either

think of older writings (like Poe and Shakespeare) or I think of the

ability to comprehend written texts. Im not entirely sure what the

definition of literacy truly is.

3. Scribner believes the subject at hand is difficult to research because it

isnt understood very well in todays society. It also doesnt help that

the definition of literacy isnt clear-cut and absolute. Because of this,

 students and people alike have a harder time finding a true

understanding to what literacy really is.

4. Literacy in general is very important (after all, I wouldnt be writing this

for you if literacy didnt exist) but these two different views show stark

contrast on how we assess the subject. Literacy as an individual

attribute shows how we as individuals can perceive writings and

decipher them to make sense to ourselves or other groups of

individuals. However, literacy as a social achievement shows how far

we as humans have advanced because we have gone from cave

drawings and body language to speaking to one another face-to-face.

Scribner advocates literacy as a social achievement because we would

not be the modern society we have developed into without literacy.

5.

Literacy as Adaptation I know this may seem like a painfully

The necessity for literary skills in
easy quote to pick, but I sat back for
daily life is obvious; on the job,
a moment and really reflected on
riding around town, shopping for
this one before realizing just how
groceries Pg.9
shockingly true this really is. I

havent ever really taken it into

consideration before, but we use

literacy in so many different areas

that its honestly viewed with a

grain of salt for some people. I cant

imagine how different society would


A contrary view, popularized by
McLuhan (1962, 1964) is that new
technologies and communication
media are likely to reduce literacy
requirements for all. Pg.11
Literacy as Power
Not to be literate is a state of
victimization. Pg.12
be if we never achieved the level of
literacy we rely on in todays time.
How? How can this possibly reduce
literary requirements for the
masses? We are still using a high
level of literacy skill in everything
we do and post. As a matter of fact,
Id say we are more literary now
than weve ever been. With the
usage of Tumblr, Reddit, and
countless other forums were all
communicating in ways that have
raised our literary awareness.
Whether its a post asking how to
replace a Vtec solenoid or a
discussion on the latest Stephen
King book, we have all used
technology of some form for literary
means.
In todays time this couldnt be more
true. If someone does not have the
ability to read or write, they are
really limited in what they can do for
a job or even a career. They will

Problems of poverty and political
powerlessness are, as among some
populations in developing nations,
inseparably intertwined with
problems of access to knowledge
and literary skills. Pg.12
Literacy as State of Grace
the power and functionality of
literacy is not bound by political or
economic parameters but in a sense
transcends them Pg.14
For centuries, and increasingly in
this generation, appeals have been
most likely be driven into poverty
unless they are self-sustaining
through agricultural matters.
Why are we talking about how
problematic this is when we could
be using the energy wasted on this
issue to build a wealth of literary
access for these people? Why are
we saying These people are
illiterate? Aw, how sad when we
could be saying Contact the *insert
higher governmental power here*
and see if we cant start a campaign
or charity to get these people some
books. Shame were so concerned
about ourselves when we already
have this kind of access to literary
means.
I enjoy this quote because of how
very true this statement is. Literacy
doesnt just exist on a political or
economic level, but on a physical
and religious level as well.
We ourselves have made a greater
focus on literacy as well. While posts
made for increased attention to on social networks and discussions

literacy as a way of developing on forums may not be the most

minds. Pg.14 intellectual ways of showing our

prowess in literacy, it is certainly a

start and could shape the future of

literacy as a whole.