Reading the Word

Reading 'the word' in Blogs

Blogs on the web are a perfect opportunity to exercise critical literacy skills. Most blogs present a strong perspective or point of view about a particular topic. Our job as readers, is to read the words and decide our own position with the topic. In order to present their perspective, and to get the reader to take a position, the author uses power in his or her words to get their point across strongly.

As a dog lover, trainer, and owner I am constantly surfing the web for quality blogs from those who present themselves as 'experts.' I don't always agree with the author. In fact sometimes I find value and credibility more in the comments left for the author, than the author himself. The author of this blog is definitely positioning himself as an expert in dog training. He quotes a published dog trainer, but he quotes it in such a way where he is agreeing and giving value and credibility to the author. He is trying to get, me, as the reader to see how important the expert author's words are, when it comes to "training a dog not to go in the house, and training it to let you know when it needs to go outside." The author of this blog is exerting his power by using the quotes from the published dog trainer. He is taking on the perspective of the trainer Kathy Diamond Davis. The absolute beautiful thing about blogging is the power struggles that go on within the comments. Commenters often challenge the original blogger with their words.

This commenter is not swayed by the blogger or professional author because they already have their own positionality on the topic of dog training. Their personal perspective gives them a power of their own when they read the blog. This is a new type of literacy that is important for all to learn in this new and ever changing world. Blogging constantly uses all three discourses of critical literacy; power, positioning, and perspective, and within social and collaborative discourses. "...the emergence of computer technology, the Internet, and the unique melding of visual forms, print and audio which has followed, mean that 'text' is now different." (Carrington, 2003) This all opens up a global communication in which diverse cultures are participating. One's culture will have a huge impact on their reading and responding to the digital content.

The Rag Coat

Critical Reading Paper #2

I chose to include my critical analysis of "The Rag Coat" by Lauren Mills in my portfolio, because it is a book that presents itself as a good example for reading the word from a socio-economic stand point, as well as a critical literacy stand point. Stereotyping is used to get the reader to analyze the power struggles going on with in the book, and the book's culture. The stereotypes and lack of appreciation for a character's culture are the author's way of using her power to position herself and the reader, as well as to get the reader to take on a certain perspective. This picture book partners nicely with the concepts Stephanie Jones outlines in her book about social class. If you look even further into the story, it also points out the relevance to listening to someone's story, background, or as we call it 'funds of knowledge.'