The Reading Dog

Your guide to freshman year

Volume 1 Fall 2010
Read me if you can Feature article - pg. 1
Article cont. - pg. 2
By Alex Delgado Resources - pg. 2

A s a freshman in college,
you can only be sure of
a few things. While what
Imagine half the US popula-
tion as a bunch of 12-year-
olds. Not so impressive. Being
being placed in remedial read-
ing classes or AP courses. It’s
the reason why people with a
you did last night and how literate is important for college degree get better jobs
you’re going to finish your obvious reasons: contracts, with a higher paying salary
communication, texting. than those that settled with
paper by class time are
their high school diplomas. It
probably not on that list, “Literacy has been explains why you were
you definitely know how to identified as a major admitted to and attend FSU.
email your teacher begging Literacy plays a huge role in
for an extension. That’s factor in social our everyday lives beyond just
because you’re literate. organization” reading street signs and movie
times; it forms the circles we
Isn’t everyone? And being able to read and run in.
Literacy scholar Peter Roberts write only at the level of some- For example, many students
reluctantly defines literacy as one who isn’t even old enough visit the Warehouse for their
“the ability to read and write.” to drive a car isn’t good Tuesday night readings that of-
His hesitant classification enough. So, unless you want ten feature nationally
stems from the fact that to read and write only as well acclaimed writers. You might
literacy encompasses a lot as the people whose favorite even come across one of your
more than just being able to movies are part of the Twilight classmates reading a piece of
write the word “dog” or read Saga or High School Musical their own there one night. This
the title of this article. series, challenge yourself with is a great way to get social with
Actually, scholars argue over intriguing short stories or your literacy. You can also join
having a solid definition or classic novels.
multiple definitions of literacy.
We know that not being able to Your social
read or write points to life
illiteracy, but is being able to Scholar F. Niyi
barely read and write good Akinnaso asserts
enough to be called literate? that, “literacy has
Think about this: ninety-nine been identified
percent of the US population as a major factor
over the age of 15 is literate. in social organi-
While that’s an impressive zation.” You’ve
standard, a huge portion of seen this all your Amanda Cabassa, 21, reads for
the people accounted for can’t life. In school you pleasure on the weekends.
read past a sixth-grade level. saw it as students
on of the many literary-
based organizations or
clubs at Florida State, like
Lambda Iota Tau (for the
scholars) or Literati (for the
creative writers) .
For argument’s sake
Aside from the fact that
strong literacy skills make
for a more productive
“Embrace
your
literacy.”
member of society, they
also help you get what you
want. Rhetorical practices,
defined by Aristotle as the
“ability, in each [particular]
case, to see the available
means of persuasion,” can
only be as strong as the
literacy skills behind them.
In order to write or speak
effectively, you have to prac-
tice just that. This practice
comes in handy when you’re
running for a position, like a
student organization
treasurer or sorority
Literacy resources
at FSU:
• Digital Studio (WMS 222B)
• Reading/Writing Center
(WMS 222C)
• English dept. site: english.fsu.edu
• FSU writing resources:
president. Such skills could
also be helpful in
convincing your parents to
give you some extra money
this month or persuading
someone to give you their
football game ticket.
You + Literacy
Forever
Literacy is something that,
if you’re in school, has
obvious practices. You read
for class, you write for
class. Take a test. Pass a
generic computer course.
When you take a closer
look, though, keeping those
skills strong can benefit
you in various areas of your
life. Using your literacy to
create a strong resume or
personal statement will help
you stand out
amongst poten-
tial
employers or
schools in the
future. Using
literacy skills to
improve
communication
will also help
you get ahead
in the
professional
world, as
www.thedogreads.com
being able to speak to
people in a professional
manner is something that
less and less young people
are doing well these days.
Employers will definitely
notice if you conduct
yourself well.
Your turn
Embrace your literacy. Read
something interesting, write
something entertaining.
Continue to Google
everything and create cool
media projects on your
laptop. Think about the fact
that reading and writing
are at the base of some of
everyone’s favorite things:
movies, television, and
today, even amusement
parks.
The Reading Dog
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