Summary For Articles

Cristian Moralez

900362621

English 1302

Dr. Dimmick

Morris Young and Connie Kendall “The Consequences of Rhetoric and Literacy"

Summary

In the article Morris Young and Connie Kendall “The Consequences of Rhetoric and Literacy" by Morris Young and Connie Kendall, the authors main focus was on the impact of rhetoric and literacy in society divisions and arguments over time. Within this article the author had many main points of which many different people opinionated and their perspectives on literacy.

Within the first pages 335-342 the author describes on what the effect the ability to comprehend literacy has on people. “Literacy becomes a marker of membership , and those who can demonstrate this membership gain structures of power ; those without membership often face economic and political disadvantage , limiting their participation in the community in various ways” Along with harming effects, the authors make references to Goody and Watts old claims on literacy and the theory that being literate is what makes a human progress in society. Another reference is of Roz Ivanic that suggested that literacy is both less , and more than language “ while literacy makes written language its focus. It is more,in the sense that “literacy” is a different sort of word than “language” and refers to more than language itself. Ivanic’s distinction is subtle but crucial, especially if we consider the two terms from a linguistic standpoint.”(pg 338)

In the next pages 343-350, the author key points in bring into a really eye opening perspectives from other theorists. For example a man named Graff focused on how literacy has been used in the interests of Western culture and society and its consequences. “Unlike Goody and Watt or Havelock, who extol the virtues of literacy in the building of Western society and culture, Graff offers a more critical and sometimes skeptical view of the benefits of literacy. He argues that the “literacy myth” (1979) and the “legacies of literacy” (1987) have often promised more than literacy itself can deliver, whether it is a belief that there is an objective, quantifiable standard of literacy that can be measured and used unproblematically to compare individuals or groups; a direct connection between literacy and material, political, or moral capital; or a growing belief in multiple literacies as a way to describe more accurately the uses and meanings of literacy (1995, pp.343)

Within the Ending , showed the cultural side within the literacy in the U.S. and the effects of cross cultural context and its effects. While literacy itself is already a complex process and practice, it becomes even more so when placed in the context of bilingual education, ESL education, or even language immersion programs whether for English, French, or Hawaiian. What we find in these negotiations between native and nonnative languages are also negotiations between primary and secondary discourse.As Geoffrey Nunberg (1992) argues, Even if the official-language movement is really an “official-culture movement,” it could not have been formulated in such terms. It is only when the issues are cast in terms of language that they become amenable to direct political action, and that culture can be made an official component of American identity. (p. 346)

Cristian Moralez

English 1302

3/8/16

900362621

Literacy in Three Metaphors

In the Article , Literacy in Three Metaphors by Sylvia Scribner the author examines the effect of literacy and its implication to the education and the humans social impact. Three different discussions of literacy were introduced; Literacy as Adaptation , Literacy as Power, and literacy as a state of grace which held a more strong idea of what is the meaning of literacy and what perspectives others have upon literacy.

In the first metaphor, Literacy as Adaptation, Scriber shows how literacy skills are needed to be adapted to drive our economy further:“The necessity for literary skills in daily life is obvious; one the job, riding around town, buying groceries, we all encounter situations requiring us to read or produce written symbols.” Along with this idea Scribner also talks about the idea that determining literacy can’t be based on one standard.

Throughout the second paragraph, Scribner talks more about defining literacy and its context. Within this paragraph scribner mentions that with literacy social and political classes were made. Scribner also explains how literacy is a transformation for society and this is somewhat problematic. Scribner's problem was simply creating programs for literacy would be a problem because what will work for one society may not work for another.

Within the third metaphor, Scribner “State of grace she admits that literacy has ties with religion and how this can separate certain people from one another. Scribner notes that religion has always assigned certain levels of authority and calls both religious and secular versions of this superiority “book knowledge”