Expert Literacy and Beyond

By this stage, writers have reached college and should easily handle abstract reading, writing, and thinking. Their writing skills are highly developed, and they should be able to write a variety of forms, from reviews and analyses to critiques and reports. Having established writing styles and techniques, these writers are expert editors and prepared for graduate school or professional vocations. However, their literacy levels continue to advance as long as they continue to learn and to write.

As already shown, my introduction to the expert literacy level was premature. No where near this level, I wandered aimlessly through core classes for years until, exhausted and frustrated, I nearly withdrew from college. However, as fate would have it, I found my way back to my first passion, reading and writing, when I took an American Literature class in the spring 2006 semester.

Since then, I have been immersed in the world and language of technology-from cell phones and iPods to Wiis and various computer systems. In some way or another, I have used these devices, especially a computer with internet access, to progress forward in my writing and reading abilities. As a student, I draft, revise, and edit all of my compositions, including this memoir, on a computer. Instead of going through the writing process step by step, I use technology to help me condense the process to suit my needs as a writer. I realize that I actually revise and edit my drafts while I type them in Microsoft Word. Not only does this save time, it also allows me to probe deeper into my subject matter and causes me to consider elements beyond what is typed on the page, such as my audience, purpose, and the flexibility of text.

Now all that I need to do is find a way to use technology to prevent my sister from stealing my toothpaste.

"Once you learn to read, you will be forever free." Frederick Douglass