Literacy in Three Metaphors

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Literacy in Three Metaphors Sylvia Scribner explores and describes the “minimal functional competencies” of “functional literacy in Literacy in Three Metaphors. Functional literacy simply means what it says. Functional literacy is the total literacy a person must have to function in society. The key term in that sentence is “function” and my idea of functioning in society may be a little different than others. To function in society to me means reading the menu at a restaurant, or reading the signs along the road, but most importantly it means knowing how to read something and pull out the purpose and what to do with it. Functional literacy is the key cornerstone to a student’s academic success. There are advantages and limitations of using literacy as a tool for social change. The advantages of using literacy as a tool for social change would be that we would have a more academically successful society. Literacy as Power even states that literacy education creates a critical consciousness where societies can analyze their conditions and “engage in effective actions for a just society. The main limitation of using literacy as a tool for social change is seen every day in the American economy. The mismatch of the educational level of the work force compared to the job opportunities is by far the biggest limitation. America has humans with masters degrees working minimum wage jobs. When Sylvia Scribner uses the term “literacy as a state of grace” I take it as when you are reading something and it changes your mind and actions. She refers to it as literacy as salvation as well. Many religious traditions believe in reading their chosen book and deciphering what the book means while allowing it to change their soul. Through this process they are becoming more literate and holy. When Scribner uses the term “literacy as a state of grace” she’s just trying to get the

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