Critical Literacy

Critical literacy initiates a discussion between the author and the reader and focuses on the power relation between the two. No longer is the author the sole authority of the text, for the reader is invited to question, examine or dispute what the author puts forth.  Critical literacy transforms the passive reader into the active reader, inviting him to reflect on what is missing from the work of literature and to take action to transform the inequalities.

Critical literacy appeals to me because it engages the reader in a discussion and holds the reader accountable for the meaning that is derived. It calls the reader into action to confront the text, ask hard questions and argue the topics that are percieved as the norm. Critical literacy "disrupts the commonplace" - it challenges and has the ability to transform ideas into radically new ways of thinking! It's exciting! For the reader to hold the power to actively engage in a written text adds a whole new layer to the possiblities of reading! To teach critical literacy is to teach students to actively participate in the development of their world perception. It places power and authority in the hands of students.



Critical literacy involves active participation. It is challenging and requires an effort to be put forth. For the already active student, critical literacy will be like a splash of cold water, waking them up to the possibilities that lie hidden in the text, waiting to be uncovered. For a low-achieving or uninterested student, critical literacy might be huge obstacle to climb after they already feel drained from the hill they've been climbing. I am confident that the teacher can present critical literacy in a way that excites students, but the particulars of this are not clear. How can we teach critical literacy in such a way that students feel challenged but also completely capable? This is an overarching question, as well as a specific one. How do we teach our students to feel so confident in their abilities that they are willing to try new things?