1.) “Literacy, like land, is a valued commodity in this economy, a key resource in gaining profit and edge” (Brandt 558). If literacy is so valued, why might so many of us have such complicated relationships to reading and writing, perhaps two of the most important features of literacy? Make a text-to-text or text-to-self connection in your response.
Literacy helps people connect with others and themselves through a deeper understanding. It allows us to better ourselves in many ways and open up many opportunities including a persons economic status, carrier paths, etc. Literacy is one of the beneficial keys to life. However, a lot of us find writing and reading to be a hassle or un-enjoyable. These complicated relationships are often detrimental to ones life. For instance, in school, if a person doesn’t like writing or reading their grade in English (as you can imagine) most likely, will not be good. But then the question then becomes, why does that person not like writing or reading? Well, there could be many explanations to this question; maybe they find it difficult so they don’t want to bother, or maybe when they were younger they really enjoyed English related activities but had a teacher who ruined it for them (maybe told them a piece they wrote wasn’t good enough), so they lost interest. An example of this is shown in Bronwyn Williams article when he talks about a student he had who wrote about an experience she had when she was younger, who did in fact enjoy writing, especially science-fiction. One day she wrote a science-fictional story and was very proud of it and wanted to show it to her teacher. However, when she did the teacher belittled her work and told her science-fiction isn’t allowed in the class. This example that Williams gives in his article is a great because it illustrates how one can become easily disconnected with something they love even at a young age. This example also shows that experiences like these can have a real impact on someone’s life.
2.) 200 words, roughly. Revisit Brandt’s ideas about literacy sponsorship. Pick at least one of the cultural narrative types identified by Alexander (614-22) and consider ways that Alexander’s discussion of that type (hero, victim, etc.) offers insights into Brandt’s idea of literacy sponsors. Be sure to quote Alexander and Brandt. Suggestion: pick a cultural narrative type that interests you!
In Brandt’s article he describes sponsors as, “agents, local or distant, concrete or abstract, who enable, support, teach, model, as well as recruit, suppress and with-hold information.” This idea ties into Alexanders discussion on narrative types specifically, rebels. Rebelled writing is one where the writer “attacks” a certain idea or belief and Alexander notes that these especially occur in a school setting. These two ideas given to us by Brandt and Alexander tie into each other because instances where a student is interested in reading a band booked such as Catcher in the Rye at school might rebel against their sponsorship because they feel as if it is not right to take away a book of interest. This is an example where Brandt’s theory on sponsorship and Alexanders idea on narrative types conflict with one another.
3.) 200 words, roughly. Alexander contrasts “master” and “little” narratives. What is this contrast, and why is it important as she tries to analyze student literacy narratives? Use at least one kind of little narrative discussed by Alexander (614-22) to illustrate how little narratives differ from the “master narrative” one so often finds. Be sure to quote Alexander and explain the difference between master and little narratives.
In Alexander’s article she explains that little narratives are better for a writer to use than a master narrative. This is because master narratives are very broad and have the tendency to over simplify thoughts or ideas a writer is trying to portray. On page 611 she says, “Lyotard views master narratives as limiting because of their normative, institutionalized, legitimizing, and canonical tendencies.” In general master narratives key in on one underlying issue and generalize their views. On the other hand, little narratives are more specific and tell a more truthful story. They are also unique to the person telling it and can often lead to diversity in stories. Furthermore, little narratives allows for multiple sides of a story to be heard from differences in economic status, race and so much more. This is helpful because it helps the reader become more in-tune with differences in perspectives and can also help form new ideas or opinions on a specific matter.
