An Analysis of Literacy - Essay Example

Firstly, it must be understood that literacy in and of itself can and should be described as a type of awareness. As described by Paul Kei Matsuda in his piece, “Alternative Discourses: A Synthesis”, the definition of what specifically defines literacy evolves and grows as a function of type and nature of literature that exists within a particular period in time. As such, the reader can readily note the fact that what defined literacy within the 18th century might not necessarily be what defines literature with the current era.

However, a thread of similarity and comparability exists between all levels of literacy. The similarity is with respect to the fact that the individual who is literate is both aware and able to express themselves with regards to salient topics within a range of different issues. This does not necessarily engender the fact the individual must be a polymath who is talented a great range of different subjects; rather, it denotes an individual that is capable and willing to research and litany of different areas and present a balanced and reasoned analysis that can readily be understood by even an individual is not an expert within the given field.

From the information that was provided within James Gee’s article, “What is Literacy”, it can also be understood that a pitfall that many professors, and indeed universities themselves make, is with respect to formalize the discussion in seeking first English as second language and native speakers integrate with the topic. in a particular way. Ultimately, the author points to the fact that college and/or University should be to a period of time in one’s life that they are able to use as a means of expanding their horizons and honing their ability to create and argue a well reasoned point.

Ultimately, rather than forcing a level of similarity of content, the author argues for the fact that the rhetorical analysis process in and of itself is the greatest virtue. Finally, a further point, and thread of similarity that exists between three articles, is referenced in the third and final argument that will be analyzed. The author of “Acquisition of Literate Discourse: Bowing Before the Master”, Lisa Delpit, denotes the fact that even though it is human nature to define and define people based upon their abilities, it is unfair and unreasonable to stipulate that an individual is somehow inherently incapable of creating a well reasoned argument within a written format.

Ultimately, the case in point is provided, is that of a disadvantaged African-American female who, although her GRE scores were insufficient for admission, she nonetheless was able to develop or rhetorical skills and proved to be a successful writer and explicate or complex and nuanced ideas. Accordingly, the author helps to argue for the fact that grouping individual into the category of “unable to write” is somehow akin to the way in which individuals are grouped and discriminated against with regards to other categories.

Further, instead of a rash judgment being